Arts Access Grant Program

The Arts Access Grant program, administered by SVCREATES, is designed to broaden access to meaningful arts programming for historically marginalized communities within Santa Clara County. With a focus on equity and inclusion, this grant supports initiatives that provide impactful arts experiences to underserved populations, such as foster youth, social services clients, and residents of low-income neighborhoods. The funding is made possible through a partnership between SVCREATES and the County of Santa Clara, with additional backing from the National Endowment for the Arts and the County Board of Supervisors. This grant supports arts-based programming including performances, exhibitions, and classes that serve specific historically underserved audiences. Projects must involve primarily Santa Clara County-based artists and demonstrate alignment with the county’s priorities, which include addressing issues such as intimate partner violence, literacy, suicide prevention, and anti-obesity efforts. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate an existing relationship with the community they aim to serve. New in 2024, applicants must have delivered at least one year of programming for their target audience prior to applying. Grants are not intended to support new initiatives targeting previously unengaged communities. The Arts Access Grant is structured as a two-year funding program. Selected grantees for 2025 will be eligible for renewal in 2026, contingent on available funding, successful execution of the initial year’s project, and timely submission of required reports. While applicants may refine their project scope in the second year, they are expected to continue serving the same community. Funding amounts in the second year are anticipated to be comparable to the first. Awards are competitive, with only 10–15 grants expected to be issued. Partial funding may be offered, and projects may be renewals or expansions of existing programs. To qualify, organizations must be based in Santa Clara County, possess 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or have a qualified fiscal sponsor, and have at least three years of arts programming history in the county. Eligible projects must take place in Santa Clara County and benefit its residents. The program excludes for-profit entities, K-12 institutions, local governments, and restricts universities and colleges to a fiscal sponsor role for a single arts program. Grant funds may not be used for political, religious, or fundraising activities, nor for lobbying or capital improvements. Applications will be evaluated by a panel based on alignment with organizational mission, clarity and artistic merit of the proposed project, authenticity of community engagement, organizational capacity, and feasibility of completing the project within the given timeframe. Applications for the 2025 cycle opened on September 20, 2024, and closed on October 25, 2024. The initial grant period runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Interim reports are due either 30 days after completion of the first-year project or by December 1, 2025. Renewal decisions will be made within 30 days of report submission, with year-two grants running through December 31, 2026. Because the program includes federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, awardees must meet several federal compliance requirements. These include having a Unique Employer Identifier (UEI) registered via SAM.gov, certification that the organization is not excluded from federal funding, and proper recordkeeping for three years following final report submission. Grantees must also ensure full legal compliance with constitutional and public policy mandates. Program-related questions can be directed to Sinjin Jones at [email protected] or (408) 998-2787 x204.

Applicants must have a proven history of programming with the community to be served; this is a non-negotiable eligibility criterion.