Administering Organization — Individual Artists Fellowship
California Arts Council
California artists at different career stages (Emerging, Established, or Legacy) apply for fellowships ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $5,000
- Location
- California
About
Overview
The California Arts Council (CAC) administers the Individual Artists Fellowship (IAF) program through regionally based Administering Organizations (AOs), supporting individual California artists across all disciplines and traditions.
Fellowship Tiers & Awards
- CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000 (artists in beginning stages of making their work public)
- CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000 (artists who regularly make their work public and engage the larger community)
- CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000 (artists with significant body of work produced over substantial time with social impact)
Eligibility
Individual artists must live in California and apply to the region serving their county. Artists may submit an application to only one region.
Regional Administering Organization Example
- Kala Art Institute serves Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma
- Application Open: April 2, 2026
- Application Close: June 5, 2026
- Fellowship Period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027
Additional Region
- KDA Central Valley & Sierra counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne
- Application Open: May 1, 2026
- Application Close: June 12, 2026
- Fellowship Period: August 1, 2026 – August 1, 2027
Program Support
Administering Organizations provide outreach, marketing, info sessions, and technical assistance. Fellows receive support including exhibition, performance, and public program opportunities to raise visibility of their work.
Contact
Kala Art Institute: 1060 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710; (510) 841-7000
- Award
- CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000; CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000; CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Entries per artist
- Up to 1
- Theme
- Grant program
- Eligibility
- Individual artists who live in California and apply to the region serving their county.
- Audience
- Individual artists living in California
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.