COHORT

The California Arts Council's 2025 Cultural Districts Program seeks to designate up to ten new cultural districts within the state through a rigorous, multi-phase application and review process. This initiative, spearheaded by the California Arts Council (CAC), is designed to recognize and support areas rich in cultural assets by granting official state certification. The goal is to promote cultural development, authenticity, and the preservation of homegrown assets that shape each district’s unique identity. Eligible applicants must be formal partnerships that include, at a minimum, three key entities: a cultural non-profit or artist collective, a local business or business association or community development corporation, and a local government branch. This collaborative model ensures a broad and inclusive representation of the district's cultural and community fabric. The application process unfolds in three key phases. From May 27 to August 7, 2025, the open application period invites submissions from communities across California. Applications must include a cultural asset inventory conducted within the past three years and three letters of support from community members or artists not affiliated with the core partnership. The California Arts Council provides a sample methodology for conducting the cultural asset inventory, which should encompass various district resources such as locations, organizations, people, historical events, and other culturally significant elements. Following the application period, a multi-disciplinary panel will review submissions and select approximately 15 to 20 semi-finalist districts for site visits, scheduled for October and November 2025. These visits allow CAC staff to verify application details and gain deeper insights into each district's cultural landscape. The panel will then reconvene to consider all gathered information and recommend finalists for designation. The final selection of up to 10 designated districts will be made during a public council meeting in December 2025. The official designation period will span from 2026 to 2030, with grant activities supported from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend informational webinars and office hours offered by the CAC for guidance throughout the application process.