03 Jul
2023
Alliance for California Traditional Arts
Grant Amount: $12,500
Information
Alliance for California Traditional Arts will begin accepting applications to the Living Cultures Grants Program on May 5.
The Living Cultures Grants Program seeks to sustain and strengthen the folk and traditional arts in the state of California. These practices play a vital role in the life of a cultural community as a living link to a healthy future. Traditional arts and the places in which they are shared provide safe, if not sacred, spaces in which community members can participate and connect to a cultural group. Beyond mere entertainment, these are spaces and activities of inclusion where all people, including those of marginalized and aggrieved communities, can publicly participate as “cultural citizens” (whether documented or undocumented).
NOTE: Below are the programs of interest based on prior guidelines. The guidelines for the upcoming cycle have not been released as of April 23, 2023 but are expected to have similar interest areas.
Programs of interest are considered to be pathways to nurture, sustain, and engage participation in traditional arts including:
1. Cultural continuity of traditional art forms practices
- Workshops and gatherings (for example, events that bring together artists, cultural specialists or community leaders to share skills & 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. (intensive one-on-one artistic mentorships should apply to the Apprenticeship Program rather than the Living Cultures Grants Program)
- 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
2. Sustaining future traditional 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, ceremonies, beliefs, or performances
- An investment to result in future revenues (fee for services for marketing consultation, website development, financial planning)
- 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
3. 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
- Workshops and gatherings (for example, events that bring together artists, cultural specialists or community cultural leaders to share skills & information, or to engage in discussion and problem solving)
- Other types of activities and projects that lead to active participation in traditional arts practices within and between cultural communities
Information Session
An online session is being offered May 11 at 4:00 pm
Please register to attend.
In-person sessions will also be offered; the schedule is TBA.