Community Project Grants Program

The Community Project Grant offered by the Arts Council for Long Beach is designed to support exceptional artistic, cultural, and arts education projects conducted by arts and cultural organizations in the city of Long Beach. Established in 1976 and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1982, the Arts Council for Long Beach distributes both public and private funds to promote universal participation in the arts. Its mission emphasizes nurturing the social, economic, and physical characteristics of Long Beach neighborhoods through advocacy, public art, education, and grantmaking. This grant initiative aims to encourage innovative and culturally diverse programming that aligns with the needs of the community and identifies clear target audiences. It supports organizations that demonstrate a history of effective and well-managed programs, and that employ qualified artists or arts administrators. Eligible projects may span various artistic disciplines, including visual, performing, literary, media, and traditional arts. Programs must take place between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Organizations applying for this grant must either be 501(c)(3) nonprofits headquartered in Long Beach or non-incorporated groups partnering with a qualified fiscal sponsor based in Los Angeles or Orange County. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of programming experience in Long Beach, secured venues, and scheduled programs. The grant offers awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, with a mandatory 1:1 cash match required. In-kind contributions do not fulfill this requirement. Applications must be submitted online by June 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Required documentation includes a single PDF file for artistic materials with embedded links, and files must follow a specific naming format. Assistance with technical submissions is available if requested at least two weeks before the deadline. Applications are reviewed by a panel comprising arts professionals and community members, who score them based on artistic merit, organizational management, and community impact or in-school alignment. Final decisions are ratified by the Arts Council Board. Funding levels depend on available resources and applicant merit. Following award announcements, applicants may request panel feedback. For inquiries, applicants can contact the Arts Council at grants@artslb.org or by phone at 562-204-6104. A technical assistance workshop is offered in May 2025 to support prospective applicants, and grant awards are anticipated to be distributed in early 2026 following approval of the city budget.