PROGRAM TIMELINE

• Application Opens: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
• Application Workshop & Staff Appointments: September 2025
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
• Staff Review: October 2025
• Panel Review:
• Award Notifications: December 2026[LS1]
• Grant Period: January – December 2026
  
  

BACKGROUND & 2026 PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Santa Monica Individual Artist Grants program fosters the creation of new work, recognizes artistic excellence, and celebrates our community’s commitment to creativity and innovation. Since its launch 15 years ago, the program has supported nearly 80 individual artists across disciplines, including visual art, writing, choreography, performance, and music.

The program operates in two parts:

• Artist Fellowships, competitive awards that honor and support mid-career Santa Monica artists (typically two to four each year, by nomination only).
  
  
• Artist Project Grants, which provide Santa Monica-based artists—including emerging artists—with funding to strengthen their practice. Project Grant funds may be used for essential expenses such as materials, marketing, professional documentation, studio or rehearsal space, and costs related to shipping, framing, or installing work.

Together, these opportunities ensure that local artists receive the recognition, resources, and support they need to thrive—while strengthening Santa Monica’s arts and culture ecosystem and enriching the creative life of residents and visitors alike.

Before starting your application, please read the full program guidelines here.