Applications are now being accepted for the Arts Making Impact (AMI) grant, the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture has announced.
The program aims to support cultural practitioners, artists and organizations by funding projects, programs and activities that enrich the lives of residents in Santa Barbara County communities.
Blue Sky Center was the stage for ‘Superbloom,’ a community play about Cuyama, was performed by and for the people of the small town in 2022.
” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1″ data-wp-effect–setstylesonresize=”effects.core.image.setStylesOnResize” data-wp-effect=”effects.core.image.setButtonStyles” data-wp-init=”effects.core.image.initOriginImage” data-wp-on–click=”actions.core.image.showLightbox” data-wp-on–load=”actions.core.image.handleLoad” src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1″ alt=”A man wearing dark pants, a plaid shirt and a cowboy-style hat speaks into a microphone as Cuyama residents holding up colorful paper flowers perform ‘Superbloom,’ a community play for and about Cuyama.” class=”wp-image-529101″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080.gif?resize=706%2C471&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/www.noozhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/012724-superbloom-1080-1024×683.gif?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px” data-recalc-dims=”1″>
Applicants can apply for up to $5,000; deadline to apply is Feb. 16. Information and guidelines are available at sbac.ca.gov/county-grants.
A free online information session will be offered, noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Register for the Zoom info session, online here. Spanish-language interpretation is available but must be requested in advance.
First-time applicants must attend to be eligible. Applicants must be based in Santa Barbara County and provide services to Santa Barbara County residents.
This year’s program is limited to arts and culture nonprofit organizations with an annual operating budget under $500,000 or for grassroots projects with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship.
“We are hoping to continue to maximize the available funding to support smaller groups that may not have as many resources,” said Mary Harris, Arts Commission chair.
The AMI grant program was established in 2012 via a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation.
As part of a lease agreement with the county, the Santa Barbara Bowl has created a community arts subsidy fund with 50 cents per ticket sold. Total funding available for this cycle is $50,000.
Since the program was started in 2012, the AMI grant has catalyzed greater community engagement in the arts and culture of the region.
Since the initial grant cycle, numerous diverse organizations and cultural practitioners have received support to expand resources and increase arts and culture access countywide. The funds continue to reach communities that have limited resources to support arts and culture opportunities.
The County Arts Commission reviews the grant applications and determines funding awards. The 15-member body comprises three representatives from each supervisorial district who have been appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
Proposals that build beneficial collaborations and help to eliminate current barriers to cultural activities such as access to transportation, materials, artists, music, and art instruction to underserved communities are encouraged.
For more about the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture, visit www.sbac.ca.gov.