Art + Community Grant Program

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.
View template for a Letter of Agreement

An applicant artist or organization may request between $750-2,000 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.

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

Please note, Arts Council staff are not a part of the Review Panel.

The following documents are tools and files you may need in your application process:

Art + Community Grant Application Guidelines
Relevant County Policies/Strategies
Personnel List
Project Budget Template
Work History Form – Individual Artist only
2-Year Budget Snapshot Template – Organizations only

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)

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).

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

• Integrated Mobility and Housing Strategy

Briefly describe the expertise of the artist(s) leading the project in their forms of art and cultural expression. (250 words or less)

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.

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.

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)