2026-27 Grant Cycle Program Information

Program Contact

• Betty Marín (Los Angeles), Associate Program Director
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 213-346-3257

Overview

The Living Cultures Grant helps communities in California carry forward, strengthen, and share their traditions. Projects involving any genre of traditional arts—including but not limited to music, dance, storytelling, theater, traditional cooking, and crafts, or other handmade arts—are welcome.

Grant Amounts

• $7,500 grants to individual artists/culture bearers
• $10,000 grants to nonprofits and Tribal Nations, as well as other organizations and community groups who work with fiscal sponsors

Important Dates (2026-27 Grant Cycle)

• Application opens: March 3, 2026
• Application closes: April 27, 2026
• Grant notifications: August 2026
• Grant period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027 (12 months)

Information Sessions

• ONLINE Info Session: Friday, March 6, 2026
• Four in-person meetings: Between March and April 2026 (Dates and locations to be shared)

Eligibility

• Individual Artists ($7,500 grants) must:
• Live in California and provide proof of residency
• Be a traditional artist or culture bearer who has practiced their tradition for at least five years
• Be 18 years old or older
• Be able to receive taxable income in California, with a Social Security number or a taxpayer ID
• Organizations/Community Groups/Tribal Nations ($10,000 grants) must:
• Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status with an annual budget under $500,000 OR