Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Artists and arts organizations in Marin County are eligible to apply for a portion of $100,000 in grants this month as the county and state celebrate April as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month.
The Marin Cultural Association (MCA), with support from the California Arts Council and individual donors, debuted the new annual granting program to support Marin’s dynamic mix of creative talent – painters, poets, musicians, filmmakers, actors, writers, dancers, comedians — innovators of every arts discipline.
Grants up to $5,000 will be available for emerging and established artists over 18 years old who live or work in Marin as well as studio collectives in the county. Grants up to $10,000 will be available for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations operating with an arts-based mission presenting arts programs in Marin. The application deadline is April 30, and grant awards will be announced May 30, which checks distributed a month later. Application links and more details are on MCA’s grants webpage.
Eager to increase the program’s reach and impact, MCA is dedicated to sustaining and growing Marin’s art resources and is committed to providing equitable access to capital, ensuring that Marin’s arts are by and for everyone.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of MCA’s new arts grants program to support Marin’s artists and arts organizations,” said MCA Managing Director Tracy Bays-Boothe. “MCA is dedicated to supporting Marin’s artistic community, and we encourage emerging and established artists as well as arts organizations large and small to apply.”
The celebration of Arts, Culture & Creativity Month recognizes the transformative power of the arts in education, economic development, public health, and civic life. In 2023, the Marin County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to join the rest of California in designating April as Arts Month.
According to the most recent Arts Vibrancy map published by SMU Data Arts, the San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County rank as the first and third top artists communities in the country, respectively. In Marin alone, the arts contribute $76 million to the local economy, employing more than 1,700 people. Marin has long enjoyed an artistic abundance that unites the community in shared experiences, fuels the personal capacity for wonder and invention, and stimulates the local economy.
Throughout April, Marin residents are encouraged to attend local performances, exhibits, and festivals; advocate for arts funding and support; support local artists and cultural organizations; and come together in appreciation of the artists, cultural workers, and institutions that enrich local lives. From local performances and public art to creative youth programs and cultural heritage events, the arts inspire connection, fuel innovation, and help shape a more inclusive and vibrant Marin County.
About Marin Cultural Association
Formed in 2015, MCA has a mission to support art and culture in Marin County including enhancing the programs and facilities at the Marin Center and the Marin County Fair. A nonprofit in partnership with the Marin County Department of Cultural Services, MCA advocates for and serves as a catalyst to increase participation, advance collaboration, and optimize resources for culture in Marin for all residents. More details on MCA’s new Arts Grants program can be found at marincultural.org.