Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation 2026

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The Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation program (fka Investing in Artists) supports diverse, Bay Area working artists who are developing new work in the performing or media arts that pushes the envelope of their creative process, explores new artistic collaborations, and/or supports artistic growth and experimentation that extends the boundaries of their art-making. 

Through a competitive application process conducted over three rounds of funding from 2024 to 2026, approximately eight grants of up to $9,000 each will be made annually to Bay Area performing and media artists, with Bay Area County eligibility rotating every year. 

For your reference, disciplines that fall under the performing and media arts include dance, music, musical theatre, opera, theatre, video, film, and animation, to name a few. 

We encourage you to review the Guidelines, Application Preview, and Frequently Asked Questions before applying. You can access all relevant materials here.

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for funding, applicants:

  • For the 2026 Round: Must reside full-time in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County when applying and for the duration of the grant period (June 2026 – June 2027).                     
    • Must be an individual working artist. (See the guidelines for a definition of "working artist.")
  • Must propose a new project. (Projects that have already taken place or that will take place before the start of the grant period are ineligible.)
  • Must have performed or presented artistic work in a public context—including online/digital platforms—within the last three years (i.e., since 2023).
  • Must be 18 years or older at the time of the application deadline.

The following are ineligible for funding consideration: 

  • Artist collectives, coops, or collaboratives;
  • Nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations;
  • Group performances or other group-based projects;
  • Individuals playing a supportive or “producer” role in developing an individual artist’s work (such as curators, producers, designers, technicians, fabricators, and advisors); 
  • Full-time or matriculated students;
  • Applicants who submit more than one application;
  • Incomplete applications and those with inaccessible work samples or other required files; and
  • Individuals who have a conflict of interest (family or financial relationship) with the board, staff, or directors of the Center for Cultural Innovation.

QUESTIONS & SUPPORT

CCI staff are here to help and listen. For assistance, please email us at grants@cciarts.org (include IA - Artistic Innovation in the subject line) or call 415.288.053. You may also schedule a time to speak here. For Deaf applicants and those with hearing loss, contact CCI using the California Relay Service—our staff is trained in making and receiving these calls.

If you need technical assistance (e.g., password or upload issues), request support at: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter. Submittable’s business hours are 9 am – 5 pm MT. They aim to respond within 24 business hours.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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