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ARTS NOW MARIN EDUCATION GRANTS
Arts Now Marin Education Grants
Deadline: open now through Friday, December 4, 2026, at 5 PM PT
Made possible with the support of the Marin Community Foundation, Arts Now Marin Education Grants will award grants from $500 to $5,000, totaling $50,000. The grant program, which is also part of Arts Now Marin, a countywide collaboration spearheaded by MCA in partnership with Marin County Office of Education and Youth in Arts, supports TK-5 public schools, educators, and school-based partners in expanding equitable access to high-quality arts education for Marin County students. By identifying barriers, expanding opportunities, fostering collaboration and informing future investment in equitable arts education, this grant program works to strengthen Marin's arts education ecosystem.
Arts Now Marin Education Grant Calendar
Applications Open: September 21, 2026
Applications Close: December 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM
Award Notifications & Grant Agreements Issued: January 11, 2027
Anticipated Grant Funds Distribution: February 1, 2027
Project Activity Period: February 1 – May 30, 2027
Final Report Due: June 11, 2027
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.
ARTS NOW MARIN EDUCATION GRANTS
What are Arts Now Marin Education Grants?
Arts Now Marin Education Grants provide $500–$5,000 grants to support TK–5 arts education in Marin County public schools. Funded by the Marin Community Foundation, the grants are part of the Arts Now Marin initiative, a partnership of the Marin Cultural Association, Marin County Office of Education, and Youth in Arts working to expand equitable access to arts education across Marin County.
Who is eligible to apply for Arts Now Marin Education Grants?
Arts Now Marin Education Grants are open to school-based applicants serving TK–5 students in Marin County public schools, including:
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Credentialed classroom teachers and arts educators
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Public schools and school districts
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School administrators
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PTA/PTOs and other school-support organizations applying in partnership with a school
Can I apply as an individual teacher for Arts Now Marin Education Grants?
Individual educators currently serving TK–5 students in Marin County public schools may apply and serve as the Project Lead. However, grant funds will not be paid directly to the individual educator. If selected for funding, your grant must be received and administered on behalf of the project by your school, school district, PTA/PTO, education foundation, arts education organization, or another approved school or community partner.
You do not need to have this arrangement finalized when you apply, but we encourage you to speak with your school or school-support partner early so that, if approved, we can issue your grant funds without unnecessary delay. MCA will confirm payment and administrative arrangements with selected grantees as part of the grant agreement process.
I'm an independent teaching artist. Can I apply for Arts Now Marin Education Grants?
Arts Now Marin Education Grant funds may be used for eligible teaching artist or arts organization fees as part of an approved project serving Marin County public schools. Independent teaching artists should work directly with a Marin County public school, school district, PTA/PTO, education foundation, or other eligible school partner, with the school or school partner serving as the lead applicant.
The Arts Now Marin Education Grant application asks whether my school receives Prop 28 funds. What is this and how do I find out?
Proposition 28 - Arts and Music in Schools Funding provides ongoing state funding to California public schools for arts and music education. Ask your principal or school district office whether your school receives Prop 28 funding and whether it will support your proposed project. Your answer helps MCA and the Arts Now Marin Coalition understand how Prop 28 funding is reaching Marin classrooms and being leveraged alongside Arts Now Marin grant funding.
Can I use Arts Now Marin Education Grant funds to buy equipment?
Arts Now Marin Education Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment that directly supports the proposed arts education project, including items, such as cameras, tools, instruments, and music or lighting equipment.
Can I use Arts Now Marin Education Grant funds for rentals and transportation?
Eligible expenses may include venue or equipment rentals and transportation costs for arts-based student field trips and experiences.
What can't Arts Now Marin Education Grant funds be used for?
Arts Now Marin Education Grants cannot be used for:
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General school or district operating expenses
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Construction, facility improvements, or debt repayment
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Food, hospitality, or fundraising expenses
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Political lobbying or religious activities
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Expenses incurred before the grant award or outside the grant period
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Any expense not directly related to the proposed arts education project
I received an Arts Now Marin Education 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. Schools and organizations receiving funds will provide MCA with a W-9 and any other required documentation. For educator-led projects, MCA will contact the educator to confirm the school or school-support partner that will receive and administer the grant funds. MCA will then prepare a grant agreement identifying both the educator as Project Lead and the organization as the Grant Funds Administrator.
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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 arts education experiences supported by the grant.
What is Arts Now Marin, and how can I get involved?
Arts Now Marin is a collaborative community initiative bringing together educators, arts leaders, and funders to expand equitable TK–5 arts education across Marin County school districts. Backed by the Marin Cultural Association, Marin County Office of Education, Youth in Arts, and funded through the Marin Community Foundation’s Community Power Initiative, this three-year effort serves as a model for how counties across California can strengthen arts access, leverage Proposition 28 funding, and center equity so that every child benefits from the power of the arts. To learn more or get involved, please visit our Arts Now Marin page.
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.