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ARTS ACROSS MARIN GRANTS
MCA Arts Across Marin Grants
Deadline: open now through Friday, December 4, 2026, at 5 PM PT
Made possible through funding from the California Arts Council, MCA Arts Across Marin Grants will award five $10,000 grants, one in each Marin supervisorial district. The grant's purpose is to support community-centered arts and cultural activities led by Marin County artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. By investing in the projects that celebrate the unique creativity and character throughout the County, the program expands participation in the arts, strengthens community connections, and highlights the vital role arts and culture play in enriching the quality of life across Marin.
Arts Across Marin Grant Calendar
Applications Open: September 21, 2026
Applications Close: December 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Award Notifications & Grant Agreements Issued: March 1, 2027
Anticipated Grant Funds Distribution: May 1, 2027
Project Activity Period: May 1, 2027 – April 30, 2028
Final Report Due: July 30, 2028
Grant Recipient Recognition
Grant recipients and their funded activities will be featured on MCA's website, social media, and through a public press release, celebrating their contributions to the cultural life of Marin County and helping advance arts for all.
MCA Arts Grants
MCA's flagship annual grant program, MCA Arts Grants, will continue in Fall 2027, supporting Marin County artists, arts organizations, and creative collectives. Please visit marincultural.org for Fall 2027 application details, eligibility, and key dates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MCA GRANTS PROCESS
I'm new to MCA’s grants process. How should I begin?
MCA recently held an informational session, which is available on demand and may help answer your question. In the informational session, MCA covered both grant opportunities, how applications are reviewed and audience questions.
Watch the informational session
For specific questions, you can also schedule time with us to ask your question and have one-on-one application support.
Once you've reviewed the information session and grant guidelines, explore the FAQs below to learn more about each grant opportunity and determine which program may be the right fit for you and your project.
Can I apply for both MCA Fall 2026 Grant Programs?
As long as you and your proposed projects meet the eligibility requirements for each program, you may apply for both grants. Arts Across Marin Grants and Arts Now Marin Education Grants have different purposes, eligibility requirements, and funding restrictions, so be sure to review the guidelines for each program before applying.
What are the Arts Across Marin Grants?
Arts Across Marin is a community-centered arts and culture grant program supporting projects rooted in Marin's communities. MCA will award five $10,000 grants—one in each of Marin County's five Supervisorial Districts—to support arts and cultural activities developed by, with, and for the communities they serve.
Why is there one grant per Supervisorial District?
Arts Across Marin Grants are designed to shine a spotlight on arts and cultural activity in each of Marin's five Supervisorial Districts. Selected artists and organizations should be deeply rooted in the communities they serve, with projects shaped by local relationships, participation, and collaboration.
In addition to receiving a $10,000 grant, each recipient will be featured throughout the grant year as part of a countywide Arts Across Marin communications campaign—highlighting their work and the people, partnerships, and communities that bring it to life.
How do I determine my Supervisorial District?
Your application should identify the Supervisorial District where the proposed grant-funded activity will primarily take place. Each project should demonstrate a meaningful connection to that district and the community it will serve. To see which district you qualify for, enter your address in the upper right-hand corner of this District Map.
ARTS ACROSS MARIN GRANTS
Who is eligible to apply for Arts Across Marin Grants?
Arts Across Marin Grants are open to eligible artists and arts and cultural organizations proposing community-centered projects in Marin County, including:
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Individual artists
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Arts and cultural organizations
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Organizations working with a fiscal sponsor
Applicants must propose a project rooted in one of Marin County’s five Supervisorial Districts and meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the grant guidelines.
What can't Arts Across Marin grant funds be used for?
Arts Across Marin is funded by the California Arts Council (CAC), and CAC funding restrictions apply. Grant funds may not be used for:
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Equipment purchases
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Food or hospitality
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Fundraising activities or events
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Lobbying
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Construction or capital improvements
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Debt repayment
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Religious purposes
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Out-of-state travel
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Operational or administrative costs of schools, colleges, or universities
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Costs associated with state or federal agencies
If you have questions about whether a particular expense is eligible, please contact MCA before submitting your application.
Are fiscal sponsors outside of Marin County allowed?
Fiscal sponsors may be located outside of Marin County, including national fiscal sponsors, as long as the applicant and proposed project otherwise meet the grant's eligibility requirements and the funded activity takes place in and serves Marin County.
Are fiscal sponsorship fees eligible as part of funding?
An agreed-upon fiscal sponsorship or administrative fee may be included as an expense in your project budget.
Are letters of support required?
Letters of support are not required as part of the application. However, relevant quotes, brief testimonials, or other examples of community support are welcome within the narrative portion of your application.
I received an Arts Across Marin Grant. What happens next?
Congratulations! MCA will provide selected grantees with a grant agreement and instructions for receiving funds:
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Complete your grant agreement and payment paperwork. Grantees will provide MCA with a completed W-9 and any other required documentation. Nonprofit organizations will also provide documentation of their 501(c)(3) status. Applicants working with a fiscal sponsor will provide the fiscal sponsor's payment and nonprofit documentation, and grant funds will be issued through the approved fiscal sponsor.
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Keep records of grant expenses. Retain receipts, invoices, and other documentation showing how grant funds were used for the approved project.
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Complete a final report. At the end of the grant period, submit a short report about your project, how the funds were used, and the activities and community participation supported by the grant.
MORE ABOUT MCA GRANTS
How are MCA grant applications reviewed?
MCA grant applications are reviewed by grant review panels using the criteria established for each program. Review criteria and guidance are provided in the grant guidelines and application materials, and applicants are encouraged to review them carefully before applying.
How do Arts Across Marin and Arts Now Marin Education Grants fit into MCA's overall grantmaking?
Arts Across Marin and Arts Now Marin Education Grants are new opportunities that expand MCA's grantmaking with a specific focus on community-centered arts and culture projects and TK–5 arts education.
These programs complement, rather than replace, MCA's ongoing Arts Grants program.
Will MCA continue to offer its regular Arts Grants program?
Yes. MCA's Arts Grants program will resume in Fall 2027, with funding opportunities for individual artists and arts organizations.
Information and updates about all MCA grant opportunities are available at marincultural.org/grants.