San Francisco Arts Commission Awards $15 Million In Grant Funding To 166 Local Artists, Arts Nonprofits, and Cultural Organizations for 2024-2025
SAN FRANCISCO, July 2, 2024 – The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is thrilled to announce a total of $15 million in grant funding has been awarded to support 159 local artists and arts nonprofits, and 7 cultural centers for the 2024-2025 grant cycle.
Grant awards span 12 to 24 months, depending on the funding category. $11.3 million in grant funding has been awarded to 76 individual artists, 83 arts nonprofit organizations, $3.7 million in funding support has been awarded to 7 cultural centers.
“During a time of continued financial challenges for the arts sector, I'd like to thank the Arts Commission and the Community Investments staff that worked to ensure we are able to continue to support our artists and arts organizations that make San Francisco the unique and beautiful city it is,” said Mayor London Breed. “These investments help grantees with the financial support and resources required to continue and develop their creative practice, work and stay in San Francisco, and contribute to the creative economy.”
Grantees were recommended for funding through a competitive and transparent application review process. Five different grant categories were evaluated by virtual review panels between October 2023 - April 2024, with 67 peer panelists reviewing 429 applications.
Grant categories include Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG), Arts Impact Endowment (AIE): Arts Education, Space, Core Project Support, and Individual Artist Support; Cultural Center Grants; Cultural Equity Initiatives (CEI), Dream Keeper Initiative (DKI), and San Francisco Artist (SFA).
“With the award of these funds, the Arts Commission reaffirms our commitment to investing in and supporting our local artists and cultural institutions, which is key for the City’s ongoing recovery,” said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. “We look forward to seeing the beautiful work that all our grantees will be able to create with the support of these grants.”
All SFAC grants support San Francisco-based artists and arts organizations and prioritize funding to artists and arts organizations that engage communities identified in the Cultural Equity Endowment Legislation. Approximately 45% of San Francisco Artist Grant recipients for this grant cycle are first-time grantees.
The Arts Commission continues to maintain investment in seven physical and virtual* neighborhood cultural centers: African American Art and Culture Complex; Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House; Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts; SOMArts; Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center*; American Indian Cultural Center*; and Queer Cultural Center*.
“I am proud of the Arts Commission’s deep investment in San Francisco’s artists and arts organizations.” said Denise Pate, Director of Community Investments. “These funds are critical for helping our local artists and organizations to sustain and thrive in very challenging times.”
For a full list of grantees, award and project summaries, visit the Arts Commission website at sfartscommission.org/grants.
Several grantees shared their reactions upon receiving their grant awards:
"Thank you for this San Francisco Arts Commission Artistic Legacy Grant award in support and recognition of my work as a solo artist, and with Cultural Odyssey over the last 50 years,” said Rhodessa Jones, 2024 Artist Legacy Grant recipient. “As a performer, artist and activist, I am truly moved. Thank you so very much on behalf of The Medea Project: Theater For Incarcerated Women/HIV Circle.”
“The depth of SFAC’s support cannot be overstated– the vision of each grant project, the level of support, the multi-year grants– all contribute to real and equitable organizational building and project development, giving San Franciscans–from babies to seniors– access to a host of incredible arts opportunities.” said Emily Klion, Executive Director of SF Youth Theatre, 2024 Arts Impact Endowment – Arts Education and Cultural Equity Initiatives Grant recipient.
“SFAC's San Francisco Artist Grant was the first major arts grant I ever applied for and was lucky enough to receive,” said Kyle Casey Chu, aka Panda Dulce, 2024 Arts Impact Endowment – Individual Artist Support and San Francisco Artist Grant recipient. “This grant underwrote my first-ever short films- an emerging filmmaker's calling card- that's granted me further access to opportunities at orgs like California Arts Council, the Sundance Institute and SFFILM.”
“The African & African American Performing Arts Coalition (AAAPAC) has reached an important milestone as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary season of the Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now,” shared laura elaine ellis, Executive Director of AAAPAC, 2024 Cultural Equity Initiatives Grant recipient. “With the support of SFAC’s Cultural Equity Initiatives (CEI) grant, AAAPAC is able to deepen the impact of our mission, community engagement, and vision for the future of our organization.”
As part of its ongoing grantmaking work, the Arts Commission recently approved the 2024-2029 Cultural Services Allocation Plan (CSAP) that will help guide Arts Impact Endowment (AIE) grant guidelines over the next five years. AIE funding is supported by Hotel Tax (Prop E) funds. SFAC Community Investments staff worked with AMS Planning & Research to evaluate the 2019-2024 CSAP and develop recommendations after engaging with grantees and community stakeholders to identify the most pressing funding area needs for the arts community.
View the Cultural Services Allocation Plan for the Arts Impact Endowment 2024-2029 report at sfartscommission.org/csap.
The next grant cycle for 2025 with updated grant guidelines following recommendations from the 2024-2029 CSAP will be announced and released in fall 2024.
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About the San Francisco Arts Commission
The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Our programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Investments, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, and Art Vendor Licensing. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org.