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, the Marin Cultural Association’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 
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 

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. 

Funding Opportunities 

With support from the California Arts Council, the MCA Board has approved a grant budget of $100,000 for 2026 in the following categories: 

Artist Grants 

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 

Nonprofit Arts Organizations Grants 

Grants up to $10,000 will be available for nonprofit and fiscally sponsored organizations 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 Bay Area 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 

2026 Grant Activity Calendar 

January 5, 2026                        Grant applications open 

February 27, 2026                    Deadline for submission 

June 1, 2026                              Grant awards announced 

June 30, 2026                           Award checks distributed 

 

Grant activities for this year’s grants cycle must fall within the dates of June 1, 2026 through May 30, 2027. 

 

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 

- In advance of your application, prepare and proof your answers offline 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 

- Provide accurate details and estimates in your budget proposal 

 - Carefully select work samples to include with the application, being mindful of size limitations of files and supporting documentation 

 - Please plan on the application to take no more than one to two hours to complete

- Questions regarding the grant application process may be directed to info@marincultural.org 

2026 MCA Arts Grants Webinar  

Register for the 2026 MCA Arts Grants Webinar, Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 12-1 pm for an overview of program, application tips, and best practices to strengthen your proposal. A recording of the presentation will be available on MCA’s website for those who are unable to attend.



 

MCA GRANTS 2026 - Artists and Collectives Application 

For individual artists and collectives

 

MCA GRANTS 2026 - Arts Organizations Application 

For nonprofit and fiscally sponsored organizations

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