Launched in 2019, the Arts Innovator Micro Grant Program was created to encourage and support artists in San Bernardino County to continue or jumpstart innovative work they are building or imagining. We hope to nourish a future where those visions take shape and take flight in service to a more creative, more possible future for all.
The visual, literary, and performing artists in San Bernardino County do not receive the funding and recognition they deserve from private and public funding sources statewide and nationally, and this grant program intends to change that by providing local individual artists of all disciplines and backgrounds with funding and technical assistance to support project development or career advancement. Applicants must choose to apply in one of these two categories: Impact Projects or
Creative Career Advancement.
One-time grants of $500 and $1,000 are awarded based on a peer review panel process using the selection criteria listed in these guidelines. Artists of all disciplines, ages, and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply. Artists must live and work in San Bernardino County.
The number of grants given each year will vary. Grants will not be given to previous recipients.
Impact Project Development: Proposed projects do not have to be completed with this funding; this can be start-up funding for a new idea, or supplemental funding for ongoing projects. Projects do not need to be large in scope, but they should demonstrate impact on the community served or impact on the artistic practice, or project, in focus. For example, proposed projects might be single events, a series, or an exhibition of a new body of work. Applicants will be asked to share the intended impact area: social (broader), community (local or specific), or personal practice.
Creative Career Advancement: Proposed work should reflect relevant and time-sensitive needs to support the artist’s career. Examples include, but are not limited to, attending mentoring or professional development workshops and training, covering the applicant’s residency fees, software subscriptions or equipment purchases, or compensating research time to develop new work, or complete a portion of an ongoing project.
Artists of all mediums and artistic experiences are welcome and encouraged to apply. This program intends to support artists working, residing in, and benefiting the communities of San Bernardino County. Artists must be current, full-time residents of San Bernardino County.
Applications for this program are now open until April 6, 2023.
Complete and submit the Micro Grant Application online, in both English and Spanish.
Arts Connection – P.O. Box 1181 San Bernardino, CA 92402
These micro grants will support San Bernardino County artists to continue creating or working on career focused goals or starting new, innovative projects that may never happen without your generosity. Donations can be of any amount and donations of less than the average $500 micro grant will be combined with others. To ensure we identify the correct number of artist recipients, all donations must be received by March of every year before the awards are made. All sponsors will be recognized on the Arts Connection Website and at the micro grant awards event scheduled in April of every year.
To sponsor a micro grant, simply send a check in any amount to: Arts Connection – P.O. Box 1181 San Bernardino, CA 92402. Please be sure your check is made out to Arts Connection and includes a notation it is to be used for the Micro Grant Fund.
To make an online donation to this program you can donate here:
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