Art for Social Justice Grants

The Cambridge Arts Council offers the Art for Social Justice Grant to support projects that creatively present themes and ongoing work of social justice through the arts. This annual funding opportunity awards $7,500 to individuals or organizations based in Cambridge whose cultural programming engages public audiences and advances racial equity and inclusion. The grant supports creative expressions that explore topics including education, housing, environmental health, civic participation, public spaces, and more. Projects must be implemented in Cambridge and reflect a strong connection to the local community, particularly underserved and underrepresented populations. Applicants must demonstrate that lead artists live or work in Cambridge and that their work centers on the cultural vitality and social justice priorities of the city. Projects may occur in public spaces, in partnership with social service organizations, or in collaboration with municipal departments. All activities must be completed between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. The grant review process evaluates the quality and creativity of the proposed project, involvement of and relevance to BIPOC communities, qualifications of key personnel, and clarity of budget, timeline, and evaluation plans. Projects must demonstrate a public benefit and be designed using principles of Universal Design, with accessibility for people of all abilities. Cambridge Arts provides support for applicants needing assistance or connections to collaborators or venues. Applications open September 2, 2025, and are due by 11:59 p.m. on October 16, 2025. All applications must be submitted online via the Cambridge Arts SlideRoom portal. Required components include applicant and project information, a detailed budget, timeline, letters of support, evaluation plan, and optional media such as images or video. Projects involving public art or schools must secure a letter of eligibility by October 8, 2025. Applicants may only apply to one Cambridge Arts grant program per cycle. The Cambridge Arts Council encourages new applicants, emerging artists, and those working in collaboration with community groups to apply. Technical support and application guidance are available from program contact Deena Anderson at danderson@cambridgema.gov. Final award decisions will be announced in early 2026.

Only one application allowed per cycle. Be concise. Submit early. Staff are available to help applicants frame their ideas and address eligibility questions.