Grants for Arts & Culture Organizations

The Community Access & Participation (CAP) program provides annual project-specific grant funding to City-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations to provide Santa Monica residents and visitors increased access to high-quality arts and culture programs. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE:

• Application Opens: January 29, 2026 
• Application Workshop & Staff Appointments: February 2026 (see guidelines for info) 
• Application Deadline: February 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time) 
• Application Review: March-April 2026 
• Award Notifications: May 2026 
• Contracting: June-July 2026 
• CAP Grant Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Program Guidelines
Application
Sample Application 

Questions about this program should be directed to artsgrants@santamonica.gov or 310-905-0828

• Access Your Grant Portal: Log in to SurveyMonkey Apply (SMA) to manage your applications, submit invoices, and complete final reports.
  
  
• Credit Requirement: Please credit the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs in all marketing and publicity materials using the following language and/or City logo: “This project was made possible in part with support from the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs.” 
  
  
• Promote Your Events: We encourage you to post your events on the Cultural Affairs Localist online calendar to help increase visibility and community engagement. Localist instructions can be found here. 
  
  
• Insurance Requirements: Grantees must maintain required insurance coverage during the grant period. Please review the full Insurance Requirements document for details.

The Organizational Support Program (OSP) provides multiyear general operating grant funding to Santa Monica-based arts and culture nonprofit organizations, ensuring that residents have equitable access to diverse excellence in art, creativity, culture, and innovation through sustained investment in the city’s cultural institutions. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE:

Applications for the 2025-27 OSP are now closed. 
Award Notifications: June-July 2025
Year 1 OSP Grant Period: July 2025 – June 30, 2026 
Year 2 OSP Grant Period: July 2026 – June 30, 2027

2025-27 OSP & CAP Guidelines

2025-27 OSP & CAP Sample Blank Application

Questions about this program should be directed to artsgrants@santamonica.gov or 310-905-0828

• Access Your Grant Portal: Log in to SurveyMonkey Apply (SMA) to manage your applications, submit invoices, and complete final reports.
  
  
• Credit Requirement: Please credit the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs in all marketing and publicity materials using the following language and/or City logo: “This project was made possible in part with support from the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs.” 
  
  
• Promote Your Events: We encourage you to post your events on the Cultural Affairs Localist online calendar to help increase visibility and community engagement. Localist instructions can be found here. 
  
  
• Insurance Requirements: Grantees must maintain required insurance coverage during the grant period. Please review the full Insurance Requirements document for details.

Applications for the 2025–26 Arts Transportation Grant (ATG) are now closed. Check back in September for 2026-27 ATG grant information.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION   

The City of Santa Monica’s Arts Transportation Grant (ATG) program supports access to arts and culture destinations across LA County. Administered by Santa Monica Cultural Affairs, the program reimburses Santa Monica–based schools and nonprofits for transportation costs to arts and culture sites. Funded through LA County’s Proposition A Local Return fund, ATG expands access to cultural experiences and helps enhance the quality of life of Santa Monica’s residents.

PROGRAM DETAILS 

Funding is available for excursions taking place between October 15, 2025 and May 1, 2026. Grants are available under this program to reimburse the transportation cost of taking Santa Monica students and/or residents to cultural destinations such as performing arts venues and museums within LA County.  

Applications are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis until all funding has been awarded. Applications are reviewed by City staff and are approved or declined according to the eligibility requirements listed above and funding available. Applicants will be notified within four weeks of submitting a grant proposal regarding the status of their application. 

APPROVED 2025-26 ARTS TRANSPORTATION TRIPS/EXCURSIONS 

ATG trips are posted here, as they are approved. If you are interested in joining one of the approved trips, please contact grants staff below. 

QUESTIONS? 

Contact: artsgrants@santamonica.gov