2025 MCA ARTS GRANTS

The Marin Cultural Association (MCA) Arts Grants program is intended to provide valuable financial support for nonprofit arts organizations and emerging and established artists across Marin County.

Mission
Formed in 2015, MCA’s mission is 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 Department of Cultural Services, MCA advocates for and serves as a catalyst to increase participation, advance collaboration, and optimize resources for culture in Marin County for all residents.

Grant Program Goals
MCA’s Arts Grants program is intended to provide meaningful support for the arts across Marin County, casting a broad net and rewarding quality, impactful work in our community. The goals for MCA’s Arts Grants program align with the goals of MCA including:

To sustain and grow Marin’s art resources for all
To cultivate and advance Marin as an arts and cultural center
To ensure Marin’s arts are by and for everyone while supporting equitable representation and participation across diverse groups, artforms, and cultural expression

Funding Opportunities
With support from the California Arts Council, the MCA Board has approved a grant budget of $100,000 for 2025 in the following categories:

Grants for Artists and Artist Collectives
Grants up to $5,000 will be available for emerging and established artists over 18 years old who live or work in Marin County, as well as studio collectives in Marin County
Grants for Arts Organizations
Grants up to $10,000 will be available for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored organizations operating with an arts-based mission presenting arts programs in Marin County

What can be funded?
Funding provided by MCA’s Arts Grants program may be used for operational and/or program support for Marin County arts organizations and individual artists.

Examples of funding support may include but are not limited to:

Operational support for nonprofit organizations
Arts programming
Art materials and supplies
Artist honoraria
Rental fees for studio or productions
Paint and canvases for a public exhibition
Costumes for an experimental theatre production
Production expenses for a cultural music festival

Funding for MCA’s Arts Grants is supported by the California Arts Council (CAC) and is subject to CAC guidelines. As such, the following are not eligible for support:

State and Federal agencies
Non-arts organizations not involved in arts activities
Operational, administrative, or indirect costs of schools, colleges, or universities
Fundraising activities or services such as grant writing, annual campaigns, or fundraising events
Lobbying activities that are intended to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials or specific legislation
Programs or services intended for private use, or for use by restricted membership (including programs that require college or university enrollment for participation)
Projects with religious purposes
Trusts, endowment funds, or investments
Construction projects, purchase of land and buildings, or capital expenditures used to maintain, upgrade, acquire, or repair capital assets
Equipment purchases (equipment rentals are eligible)
Debt repayment
Hospitality expenses, meals, or food
Out-of-state travel
Awards may not be used to supplant other state funding, including salaries of state employees or general operating expenses of school districts, County Offices of Education, or publicly funded schools, colleges, or universities.

Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Marin County arts and culture leaders. Reviewers must disclose and recuse themselves from reviewing proposals where conflicts of interest exist.

Successful applicants will:

Live, work, or present artistic programs in Marin County
Demonstrate skill, quality, and professionalism in their work
Produce work that is high impact, community-centered, and equity-minded
Submit work samples that best portray their work or organization
Respond to application prompts in a way that is informative and compelling
Provide accurate information and meet all deadlines in the application process

Who may apply?

Established and emerging artists 18 years of age or older who live or work in Marin County
Artist collectives based in Marin County
Nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations who present programming, events, or educational outreach in the arts in Marin County

Grant Activity Calendar
April 2, 2025 Grant applications open
April 30, 2025 Deadline for submission
May 30, 2025 Grant awards announced
June 30, 2025 Award checks distributed

Grant activities for this year’s grants cycle must fall within the dates of May 30, 2025 through May 29, 2026.

Grant Requirements
Recipients of MCA Arts Grants agree to provide a summary and back up documentation supporting use of funds and the outcome of the investment in their work or project. Recipients will receive a post-grant survey to complete and return to MCA. Recipients agree to allow their likeness and the likeness of their work used by MCA to report about the grant program and promote the program to others. Failure to abide by these conditions will render the recipient ineligible for future MCA grants.

Tips for Completing the Application

Prepare your application answers offline in advance and enter details into the application form when ready to submit; partial or incomplete applications will not be accepted
Be specific about the nature and impact of the work or project you intend to fund
Present accurate information about your work or organization
Carefully select work samples to upload with the application, being mindful of size limitations of files and supporting documentation

APPLICATION LINK AND MATERIALS
All applications must be submitted online no later than April 30, 2025 using the following links.

MCA GRANTS 2025 - Artists and Collectives Application
Online application form for artists and artist collectives in Marin County

MCA GRANTS 2025 - Arts Organizations Application
Online application form for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored organizations presenting arts programs in Marin County

A downloadable pdf of this information including sample application questions is available below to assist in preparing your application. Questions related to your grant application can be directed to info@marincultural.org or by calling 415.473.3046.