Since 2024, the Mariposa County Arts Council has administered the Art + Community grant program, funded by the County of Mariposa, which supports artists and grassroots organizations using art projects and cultural programming to achieve community goals in Mariposa County.
2026 Grant Recipients
We are proud to announce that four grants have been awarded toward project investments for local artists and grassroots organizations. A select review panel of arts and community leaders from a wide set of disciplines evaluated applicants on their artistic merit, project design and implementation, community impact, professional capacity, and commitment to accessibility. Projects will take place starting June 2026 through May 2027.
Jonah Dacanay – JNX Fest
JNX Fest is a free, all-ages, all-day music festival to be held at the Mariposa County Arts Park, featuring eight bands from California and out of state, alongside opportunities for local musicians and vendors. This project addresses the limited availability of large-scale, free live music events in Mariposa County and creates greater access to the arts for residents of all ages.
JNX Fest builds on the momentum of the recent Rotary Interact Club’s Spring Student Fest by providing a professionally organized, inclusive event that strengthens the local music scene and expands opportunities for participation.
FB and Instagram: @jnx_officialband
Kass Bissmeyer – Mariposa Soccer World Cup-Inspired Mural
Mariposa Soccer, in partnership with a local artist, is creating a vibrant community mural inspired by the global spirit of soccer. The mural will celebrate cultures from around the world through colorful flags, landmarks, and soccer imagery, while highlighting the ways sports bring people together across borders and generations. Community members of all ages will be invited to help paint the mural, creating a lasting piece of public art that reflects Mariposa’s creativity and local love of the game of soccer! The project is part of Mariposa Soccer’s strategy to celebrate the international world cup tournament being hosted in North America June 11-July 19, 2026. Mariposa Soccer’s hope is to use the excitement of this tournament to connect youth and families through geography, art, and shared experiences.
Facebook and Instagram: @mariposasoccerleague
Karen Mentzer – Bootjack Clay Shack
This grant will allow Bootjack Clay Shack to continue offering affordable community ceramics classes while helping stabilize the studio for the future. By helping cover the rising costs of clay, glaze materials, and kiln firings, this support makes it possible to keep class prices within reach for local families, teens, adults, and retirees who may not otherwise have access to hands-on arts education.
The funding will also allow the studio to expand programming with lower-cost community classes focused on tile underglazing, sgraffito techniques, and collaborative village sculpting projects inspired by local history and environment. More than just supporting individual classes, this grant helps ensure that BJCS can remain an active, welcoming creative space where people gather, learn new skills, share ideas, and continue building community through art.
Facebook and Instagram: @bootjackclayshack
Gail Dreifus – Porchfest Mariposa
Porchfest is an annual art, music and spoken word event that is held across the United States and Canada on front porches of houses and businesses. Performers volunteer their time and performances may include musicians, visual artists, poets, storytellers and comedians of all ages. In some events, visual art and music are combined. The community can join the celebration by volunteering their home or business porch as a venue. This event is proposed to take place in Mariposa on May 15, 2027 from 11:00 to 5:00 and end with a jam of the musicians and celebration at The Grove House that could also be broadcast “live” on KRYZ. This could be a yearly event in Mariposa.
About the Art + Community Grant Program
Piloted in spring 2024, the Art + Community grant program, funded by the County of Mariposa, invites working artists, groups and organizations to submit proposals for art projects and programming that support Mariposa County goals, and serve, uplift, and represent the local community.
A select review panel of arts and community leaders from a wide set of disciplines evaluated applicants on their artistic merit, project design and implementation, community impact, professional capacity, and commitment to accessibility. Projects will take place starting June 2026 through May 2027.
Grant Requirements + Guidelines
Artists, community groups or organizations who meet the following requirements are invited to apply:
Eligibility
- Mariposa-based – Applicants’ residence or principal place of business must be in Mariposa County
- Arts programming or practice – Applicants must demonstrate a minimum two-year history of consistent engagement in arts programming, art making, and/or service prior to the application deadline.
- If applying as an individual artist, you must be 18 years of age or older.
- If applying as an organization, the organization must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor. Non-governmental organizations must show proof of nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) to apply.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: If working with a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor will provide fiscal oversight and administrative services, with a signed Letter of Agreement submitted with the application. The fiscal sponsor becomes the legal contract holder if a grant is awarded, and a change during the grant activity period is not permissible.
Request Amounts
An applicant artist or organization may request between $500-2,000 for the grant period. Awardees should be aware that they may not receive the entire amount requested.
Matching funds are not required for this grant.
Evaluation Rubric
Applications will be reviewed by a select panel of representatives and community members. This Review Panel will evaluate applications and work samples using a 6-point ranking scale that considers the following criteria:
- Artistic Merit
- Project/Program Design and Implementation
- Community Engagement/Relevance/Impact
- Artist’s/Organization’s Professional Capacity
- Accessibility
| Ranking | Description |
|---|---|
| 6 – Exemplary | Fully achieves the purpose of the program. Meets all of the review criteria and project requirements to the highest degree |
| 5 – Strong | Sufficiently achieves the purpose of the program. Meets all of the review criteria and project requirements to a significant degree. |
| 4 – Good | Sufficiently achieves the purpose of the program. Meets all of the review criteria and project requirements to some degree |
| 3 – Fair | Moderately achieves the purpose of the program. Meets most of the review criteria and project requirements |
| 2 – Marginal | Minimally achieves the purpose of the program. Meets some of the review criteria and project requirements |
| 1- Weak | Does not achieve the purpose of the program; proposals that are not appropriate for this grant category. Inadequately meets the review criteria or project requirements |
Please note, Arts Council staff are not a part of the Review Panel.
Timeline
| Application Opens | April 13, 2026 |
| Webinar and Technical Assistance | Wednesday, April 15 at 6pm via Google Meet. To register, please contact Polina Pivak, at pivak@mariposaartscouncil.org |
| Application Deadline | May 4, 2026 |
| Panel Review | May 11 – 14, 2026 |
| Funding Decision | May 15, 2026 |
| Funding Notification | May 18, 2026 |
| Estimated Arrival of Funds | May 26, 2026 |
| Grant Activity Period | June 1, 2026 -May 31, 2027 |
| Final Report Deadline | June 30, 2027 |
Resources
You will need the following documents to prepare your application:
- Personnel List Template
- Project Budget Template
- Work History Form Template – Individual Artist only
- 2-Year Budget Snapshot Template – Organizations only
Application Criteria
The grant application required responses to the following questions.
A. Program/Project Objectives
- Provide a concise description of your program/project’s objectives and how they address a community-identified need or opportunity. Include a timeline outlining activities supporting the realization of the program/project’s objectives. (400 words or less)
- Briefly explain what inspired you or your organization to use the arts as a tool for community upliftment in Mariposa. (250 words or less)
B. Community Engagement and Relevance
Describe actions taken to build trust and ongoing relationships with identified communities being served through your project or program. Address evaluation plans, community responsiveness, and how community voices will be central throughout the project (including development, implementation, and evaluation). (400 words or less).
C. Alignment with County Policy
If applicable, identify and briefly explain how the proposed project aligns with or supports a County policy, strategy, or recommendation. (250 words or less)
Example Policies
The following list identifies relevant County plans. Read through them to find policies, strategies or recommendations that align with your grant project.
Arts, Culture and Public Planning
- Mariposa County General Plan
- Creative Placemaking Strategy
- Mariposa Creek Master Plan and Community Design and Development (Creek Parkway Phase IV)
- Mariposa County Economic Vitality Strategy
Environment and Recreation
- Recreation and Resiliency Master Plan
- Sustainable Agriculture Lands Conservation Program
- Merced River Trail Vision Plan
- Mariposa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Housing and Human Health
D. Artistic Expertise
Briefly describe the expertise of the artist(s) leading the project in their forms of art and cultural expression. (250 words or less)
E. Professional Capacity
- Provide a personnel list including a brief biography, name, title, relevant experience, and role, for each key individual involved in your organization or project.
- Complete a detailed project budget, including all expenses relevant to the stated project activities.
- Organizations will be required to provide a 2 year organization budget snapshot.
- Individual artists will be required to provide examples of similar projects or programs they’ve completed in the past 5 years.
F. Work Samples
Provide 1-3 work samples created within the past three years, relevant to this grant opportunity. Samples may include artistic work, press materials, flyers, brochures, programs, newsletters, audio, video, or other marketing pieces.
G. Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities
Describe how your project, programs, services, and online spaces will be accessible for individuals with disabilities, considering various challenges such as deafness, visual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and chronic illnesses. (400 words or less)
Program Contacts
Abby Miller – miller@mariposaartscouncil.org
Polina Pivak – pivak@mariposaartscouncil.org
2025 Grant Recipients
Gail Driefus – Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble Bootcamp
Over the past year, the Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble program has continued to grow in numbers as well as the variety of instruments represented. To support this growth, Gail Driefus is now offering monthly group instruction sessions offering focused ukulele lessons and opportunities to ask questions. These monthly events provide excellent opportunities for learning and community engagement. The sessions are open to all, regardless of membership in the Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble, reflecting the program’s commitment to inclusivity and musical development.
James Rhodes – Project Lazarus
The Lazarus Program focuses primarily on Art as Therapy, along with its associated initiative, Animals as Therapy, serving veterans with PTSD and their families, as well as the general public. In addition to these core offerings, the program conducts outreach to support victims of domestic violence and individuals involved in the AA/NA communities. Services also include yoga, meditation, music and sound therapy, and both individual and group peer counseling. All instructors are certified and trained, and previous programs have been formally evaluated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Sessions have previously been attended by high-ranking VA personnel from Denver, St. Louis, and Portland, Oregon
Anna Friedland – Foothill Arts + Lectures
The Mariposa Library program Foothill Arts + Lectures provides free-to-attend lectures and workshops featuring local artists. The mission of this program is to reconnect members of our community, celebrate artists, and bring enriching perspectives and stories into our lives. The new addition of the workshops (this fall 2025) will allow participants to apply their inspiration and knowledge from the artist’s presentation. The art workshops will further promote key outcomes of this program: stimulate mental and physical activity, build community, and extend longevity.
2024 Grant Recipients
Megan Levad Beisner – Writer in Residence Program with Mukethe Kawinzi
Mukethe Kawinzi is a shepherd in coastal California where she stewards a herd of Spanish cashmere range goats to feed the soil. She has farmed in sustainable and organic agriculture for five years, with a focus on small ruminants, artisanal cheesemaking, non-violent livestock handling, and regenerative grazing.
Her writing illuminates the smut and splendor of the natural world, race in rural spaces, the peculiar wit of livestock animals, and the pains and pleasures of physical labor. She is inspired by the languages and rhythms inherent to the space of the farm, colored folk who work land, and is oriented, ultimately, toward song, dance, and serenity.
In 2025 Mukethe will visit Mariposa County for a week-long residency, hosted by Megan Levad Beisner, including a public reading and interview, a high school classroom visit, and other opportunities to interact with our community.
Sandra Chapman – Cultural Medicine Walks
The preservation and revitalization of Native American traditional medicine practices are essential for maintaining cultural heritage, promoting tribal health, and fostering a deeper connection to the land. Sandra’s project seeks to empower the tribal members by showcasing the wisdom of traditional medicine through guided walks led by Sandra, Chairperson for the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation.
Gail Driefus – The Ukulele Ensemble
Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble meets once a week to practice songs and partake in a close musical community, with performances throughout the year. This program is free to the public and composed primarily of seniors and elder adults, many of whom had no prior music experience. The Ensemble provides significant benefits to participants, with professional instruction, access to instruments, and social opportunities through music, movement. and creativity.
Anna Friedland – Foothill Art + Lecture
This arts lecture series was developed to connect members of the community through the celebration of elder artists and regional arts legacy. Grant funding will contribute to the continuation of this existing program, and its expansion to wider audiences, contributing to communal mental health and creative connection. This project is in collaboration with Mariposa County Library and will culminate in a Mariposa Artist Archive.
Upper Merced River Watershed Council – Student Film Festival
Working in collaboration with two Mariposa filmmakers and County education partners, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council (UMRWC) will host an art and nature film festival for local youth. The year-long effort will be conducted in alignment with the organization’s Merced River Fest event held each spring.
Students will be guided and mentored through the process by local filmmakers who will help them understand storytelling through film and how to use the natural world–and their community–to express themselves artistically. This project has two components: a series of filmmaking workshops, and a youth film festival event itself to take place in May 2025.
