Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office Offers Grants

invites applications for its annual Community Arts Grants program. Funds totaling $25,000 will be awarded in matching grants for cultural projects taking place within the Carlsbad in the year 2012. The grant application deadline is Friday, Oct. 21, 2011. Announcement of awarded grants will occur by Dec. 16, 2011. 

A Community Arts Grants Application Workshop will be held to assist potential applicants in creating successful proposals; first-time applicants are strongly urged to attend. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Gowland Meeting Room at the , 1775 Dove Lane.

The Community Arts Grants program is designed to help strengthen local arts organizations and to provide cultural and artistic opportunities for Carlsbad citizens. The grants, which must be matched by money from other sources, are awarded to non-profit organizations, schools and school-related organizations for visual, media, literary, and performing arts projects taking place in Carlsbad. Arts organizations located elsewhere in San Diego County must have a Carlsbad non-profit organization or school as a partner to host the proposed activity.

There are two categories of Community Arts Grants; an applicant organization, school or partnering artist may submit a proposal in only one category. The “Arts Education” grants fund school-based projects for K-12 students; requests in the Arts Education category are limited to a maximum of $1,200. The “Organizations/Artist Partnerships” grants fund events, activities and projects presented for the general population by community organizations. There is no request cap in that category.

Past successful proposals have included: music festivals, concerts and residencies; play readings and free outdoor theatre; visual arts demonstrations and mural projects; choreographer residencies; artist-led training seminars for teachers and a variety of school activities promoting student participation in the arts.                   

Applications and guidelines, as well as listings of previous grant recipients, are available online at the City of Carlsbad website, carlsbadca.gov/arts or in printed form at Carlsbad City Libraries or the Carlsbad Arts Office, 2955 Elmwood Avenue, Carlsbad, CA  92008.  

To request a mailed application or for more information about Carlsbad Community Arts Grants, eligibility requirements, and funding categories, please contact the Carlsbad Arts Office grants staff at 760-434-2900 or arts@carlsbadca.gov.