State-Local Partners Grant Program

The State-Local Partners (SLP) program, administered by the California Arts Council, provides critical general operating support and technical assistance to county-designated local arts agencies throughout California. This grant program reflects a strategic partnership between the State and its counties, designed to cultivate cultural development at the local level. The core mission of the program is to enable local arts agencies to support individuals, organizations, and communities in creating, presenting, and preserving the diverse arts of all cultures in service to enriching the lives of Californians. The SLP program focuses on reinforcing the infrastructure for local arts leadership by strengthening official arts agencies recognized by their respective County Board of Supervisors. These local arts agencies may be governmental entities or nonprofit organizations designated by their counties. The funding supports their role in delivering essential arts-related programming, services, and financial support to a broad range of stakeholders including arts organizations, individual artists, and the wider community. Local arts agencies are expected to prioritize accessibility and equitable engagement, especially with historically under-resourced communities and those within the lower quartiles of the California Healthy Places Index. Funding through the SLP program is structured for a two-year activity period, spanning from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2028. Applicants may request up to $75,000 per year. A 1:1 matching requirement applies to organizations with total revenues of $1 million or more in their most recently completed fiscal year. An additional requirement includes the administration of a countywide Poetry Out Loud program, for which $5,000 is included within the maximum funding request. These funds are not contingent on panel review scores. The application process begins on March 17, 2026, with a final submission deadline of May 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted through the official portal, and must include a resolution from the county Board of Supervisors, strategic and budget documents, accessibility and equity statements, as well as programming and evaluation plans. Applicants will be evaluated across four main criteria: equity and accessibility; arts programming and networking; community engagement and impact; and management and leadership capacity. Panel review will occur approximately between June and July 2026, with funding decisions announced in August. Grant activities commence in October 2026, with funds expected to be distributed between January and March 2027. Grantees are required to submit interim and final reports to document activities and outcomes, with specific reporting formats and deadlines provided through the California Arts Council’s grant portal. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may disqualify grantees from future funding. Program support is available through scheduled office hours and via email communications with Arts Program Specialists Charlie O’Malley and Natalie Peeples. Full program guidelines, application instructions, and additional resources are provided through the California Arts Council website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult these materials to ensure full compliance with program expectations.

Applicants must secure a Board of Supervisors resolution designating their organization as the county’s official State-Local Partner; this is a required document.