Venues & Spaces Grant

The Conrad Prebys Foundation has announced the 2025 Arts Ecosystem: Venues & Spaces grant opportunity, aimed at enhancing access to arts and culture experiences in San Diego County. The foundation has previously focused on strengthening organizational capacity and audience engagement, and this grant builds on those efforts by addressing a key barrier to arts accessibility—affordable and available venues and spaces. Recognizing that arts and culture are vital for social cohesion and economic opportunities, this initiative supports organizations committed to creating inclusive, vibrant, and accessible arts environments. The grant program seeks to improve access to quality venues, support organizations managing and activating these spaces, and foster community engagement. Priority will be given to projects that bring arts and culture to areas with limited access, enhance infrastructure for long-term venue sustainability, and develop collaborations that expand community reach. Eligible projects may include infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades for venue management, and performances or exhibitions in specific spaces. The initiative prioritizes spaces that are already secured or have a high likelihood of being used. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored entities, and tribal organizations that are located in and serve San Diego County. Organizations applying must have arts and culture as a central part of their mission and vision. Current grantees are eligible as long as their existing award does not overlap with this grant in scope or timeframe. The foundation will not fund capital campaigns, endowments, planning grants, virtual-only spaces, unbuilt venues, or short-term infrastructure investments. The grant provides one-year funding, with awards of up to $250,000 per grantee, totaling $3.75 million for the initiative. The foundation expects to distribute 30-35 grants. Funding can be for general operating or programmatic costs, as long as they align with the initiative’s goals. Projects must focus on communities that face barriers to engaging with arts and culture, whether due to transportation, cultural access, or historical underinvestment. The application portal opens on March 5, 2025, and closes on April 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST. Office hours for applicant support will be available from March 6 to April 29, 2025. Application status notifications will be sent between June 30 and July 3, 2025, followed by a period from July 8-22, 2025, where selected applicants will submit additional information and engage with foundation staff. Final grant awards will be announced on July 31, 2025, with contracting and payment occurring in August and September 2025. For further inquiries regarding the initiative, eligibility, or application process, organizations can contact the Conrad Prebys Foundation at (619) 860-2100.