Living Cultures Grant

Applications for the 2020 grant cycle are now closed.

Applications for the 2021 grant cycle will be available here in spring of 2020.

What We Fund

Pathways to nurture, sustain, and engage participation in traditional arts

Cultural continuity of traditional arts practices:

• Workshops and gatherings (for example, events that bring together artists, cultural specialists or community leaders to share skills and information or to engage in discussion and problem solving)
• Conservation, creation, or acquisition of important traditional arts items
• Intergenerational classes or other educational programs within a community (after-school youth programs, dance ensemble classes or practices, summer programs, etc.)
• Other kinds of mentorships with “culture bearers,” honoraria, travel costs within CA., etc. By “culture bearer” we mean a person who is recognized for their skills and knowledge in a particular traditional expression. (Please note that intensive, one-on-one artistic mentorships should apply to ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program instead.)
• Endangered language conservation and revitalization projects when carried out within the context of traditional art forms
• Other types of activities and projects that lead to cultural continuity of traditional arts practices

Sustaining future arts practices with needed purchases, services, or acquiring new skills

• Equipment and materials purchases (instruments, media equipment, costumes or regalia, etc.)
• Documentation of traditional arts,  skills,  ceremony, beliefs, or performances
• An investment to result in future revenues (fee for services for marketing consultation, website development, financial planning, etc.)
• Learning new skills by supporting mentorships with advisors or cultural specialists
• Other types of activities and projects that lead to long-term sustainability of traditional arts practices

Engaging and strengthening our own communities as well as engaging with others

• Public presentations, such as community-based concerts, festivals, and exhibitions that foster active participation
• Other types of activities and projects that lead to active participation in traditional arts practices within and between cultural communities

Resources

• Watch a webinar about applying to the Apprenticeship + Living Cultures funding opportunities.
• Browse previous organizations who have received funding from ACTA.

Funders

The Alliance for California Traditional Arts is the statewide partner to the California Arts Council in serving the state’s folk and traditional arts field. The Living Cultures Grants Program is a program of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) in partnership with the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Surdna Foundation. Additional support is provided by the California Arts Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.