The City of Stockton Community Services Department and Stockton Arts Commission are offering an arts funding opportunity to support local artists and art organizations, and to engage Stockton residents with diverse arts projects. This grant, with a total of $100,000 available in 2024, provides up to $10,000 for individual artists and art organizations, and up to $20,000 for other organizations. The funding period for projects is from January 2025 to December 2025. This initiative aligns with the commission's mission to foster public engagement with and access to various forms of art within the City, promote the creation of excellent art, support arts learning at all stages of life, and integrate arts into daily community life.
The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual artists, arts organizations, and non-profit arts organizations based in the City of Stockton. This includes applicants with a primary residence or permanent studio/work/office space within Stockton city limits, as well as arts educators teaching in Stockton schools. Non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes are also eligible, provided they maintain a business office or primary venue in Stockton. The impact goals are to support artistic excellence, promote public engagement with art, provide learning opportunities in the arts, and reflect Stockton's diversity through cultural expression.
The program prioritizes artistically excellent projects across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including arts education, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting and multidisciplinary works, theater, and visual arts. Projects must take place within the City of Stockton, be open to the public, and include a public presentation at a Stockton Art Night event. The program focuses on funding specific projects rather than general operating expenses, allowing for large or small, existing or new initiatives.
Expected outcomes include an increase in public engagement with diverse art forms, enhanced artistic and cultural expression within Stockton, and greater accessibility to the arts for residents. Measurable results could include the number of public presentations, attendance at funded events, and the range of artistic disciplines supported. The City of Stockton's strategic priority is to enrich the community through the arts, recognizing their vital role in community development and cultural identity. The theory of change suggests that by directly funding artists and organizations, and requiring public engagement, the city can stimulate local artistic activity, foster community cohesion, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.
