ArtsAVL Arts for Schools in North Carolina

The Creative Economy Fund, formerly known as the Creative Industries Incentive Fund, is an initiative by the City of San José Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). CCI is a nonprofit intermediary dedicated to the economic security of individuals in the arts. The fund awards project grants to arts, cultural, and creative-based commercial businesses located within the City of San José. These businesses can be involved in the production or distribution of the arts, encompassing manufacturers, service providers, presenters, and designers. The program's mission is aligned with enhancing San José’s creative economy and bolstering the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, as well as providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs across all disciplines, both non-commercial and commercial. The primary target beneficiaries of the Creative Economy Fund are commercial enterprises, including small businesses (defined as those with 35 employees or less by the City of San José) and sole proprietorships. These businesses must be based in San José and primarily provide a cultural, creative, or arts-related service or product. They must also be in good standing with the City of San José, holding an active business tax certificate. The fund explicitly supports projects and activities aimed at building successful arts, cultural, and creative-based small businesses, fostering economic stability and growth within the creative sector. For the 2024 grantmaking round, a total of $40,000 is available, with grants of up to $8,000 awarded through a competitive application process. The program prioritizes applicants who contribute to the city’s cultural vibrancy, demonstrate readiness for project implementation, and show potential for growth and greater financial resilience. A key focus is on demonstrating economic impact, such as attracting visitors, generating sales tax, and creating jobs within San José. Competitive applicants are also expected to reflect the City’s diverse cultural communities and creative-based commercial landscape, ensuring equitable and inclusive support for the creative sector. The expected outcomes and measurable results include enhancing the creative economy, increasing the growth and financial resilience of small arts, cultural, and creative-based businesses, and providing financial support to artists and creative entrepreneurs. The period of support for projects is from September 2024 to September 2025. The fund's strategic priorities are to strengthen the economic foundation of San José's creative sector, facilitate business development, and promote cultural vibrancy. The theory of change posits that by providing targeted financial support and capacity building to creative businesses and entrepreneurs, the fund will stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and enrich the cultural landscape of San José, ultimately leading to a more robust and resilient creative economy.