Application Opens: January 5, 2026

Application Closes: March 9, 2026

Arts Commission funding review and approval: April 5, 2026

Project Completion: Within 1 year of arts grant distribution

Mission
The Arts Grant Program strives to make arts and culture opportunities accessible to the residents of Costa Mesa by providing monetary support to local and regional arts organizations, artists and teachers. The City of Costa Mesa recognizes that this is an important part of a thriving creative economy that enhances the quality of life for all residents.

Project criteria will address and support:
  • Audience accessibility and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Arts education in schools and or community settings and or lifelong arts learning opportunities for all ages
  • Local and regional organizations
  • Organizational capacity for arts organizations
  • New and innovative arts programs and emerging organizations

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* 1. Contact Information

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* 2. Website URL (if applicable):

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* 3. Facebook URL (if applicable): 

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* 4. Instagram URL (if applicable):

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* 5. If you are filling out this application for an organization, are you legally authorized to represent the arts organization you are applying for?

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* 6. If you are applying as an individual, do you have a fiscal agent (arts grants can only be awarded to nonprofit organizations)?

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* 7. If you have a fiscal agent for your project, please attach the partnership agreement that can be found in the Arts Grant Guidelines document.

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* 8. Please upload the most recent IRS Form 990 if you are applying as a nonprofit organization and or please upload the most recent Form 990 of the fiscal sponsor you will be utilizing as an artist/applicant:

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* 9. What kind of project is it?

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* 10. Project Title:

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* 11. Description of project (e.g. location, # of participants, event summary) - If necessary, submit additional pages and / or project materials (300 words max).

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* 12. Please write out your project schedule below (pertinent dates, the duration and time of completion):

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* 13. Please upload additional documentation if needed (optional):

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* 14. Amount of funds requested ($5,000 maximum award):

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* 15. How will the funds be utilized (be specific and give examples):

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* 16. Please upload a project budget document. A budget template can be found inside the Arts Grant Guidelines and on the website (Applicants are welcome to use their own template as long as it includes the same information).

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* 17. If funds are awarded, a report summary of the project is required to be submitted within 30 days of the project completion to the Arts Specialist. Can you commit to this requirement?

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* 18. If funds are awarded, we ask that you provide content for Social Media promotion as needed. 󠇋Can you commit to this requirement?

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* 19. If funds are awarded, we may ask that you present your project to the Arts Commission. 󠇋Can you commit to this requirement?

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* 20. A City of Costa Mesa staffer may attend events and do site visits as needed. Do you consent to this and can you accommodate this request?

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* 21. Please provide any other additional information that might be helpful in reviewing your project/application.

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