Arts in Laguna Beach

The City of Laguna Beach administers two distinct arts funding programs through its Cultural Arts Department: the Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists and the Cultural Arts Funding Grants. These initiatives are backed by the city's lodging establishments and Business Improvement District, reflecting a strong municipal commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive cultural scene. Oversight is provided by the City Council and the Laguna Beach Arts Commission. The Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists are designed to support boundary-pushing creative work from artists who reside in Laguna Beach. Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000 and are intended to support both the creation and public presentation of innovative art projects. The program prioritizes experimentation and new approaches in art-making and seeks to reinforce the role of artists in anchoring the local cultural ecosystem. This initiative is exclusive to individual artists living in Laguna Beach and is funded by the city and local lodging businesses. The application window for projects taking place between April 1, 2025, and April 30, 2027, is now closed. In contrast, the Cultural Arts Funding program supports nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated commitment to presenting arts programming in Laguna Beach. Eligible entities must be nonprofits with a primary focus on the arts. The goal is to enhance cultural programming that appeals to both overnight visitors and residents, thereby enriching the city's overall cultural offerings. Funded activities must occur within Laguna Beach and align with the objectives of the Laguna Beach Tourist Promotion District. The Cultural Arts Funding application period for the July 2025 to June 2026 cycle has closed. The funding allocations vary by organization and program type, as demonstrated by the 2025-26 recipients, which include a wide range of cultural institutions such as the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, Laguna Dance Festival, and LagunaTunes. Award sizes in the current cycle range from $2,400 to $32,900. Submissions are reviewed by the Arts Commission based on their alignment with program goals, community impact, and artistic merit. While specific evaluation criteria and application components are not detailed in the public documentation, applicants are expected to provide comprehensive project proposals that demonstrate capacity and alignment with funder priorities. The Cultural Arts Department can be contacted via email or phone, and staff are available Monday through Thursday, with limited hours on alternating Fridays. Applications are not currently being accepted for either program, but recurring annual deadlines suggest future opportunities will be available. Interested applicants should revisit the site regularly or contact the Cultural Arts Department for updates.