The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture (SBCOAC), on Tuesday Jan. 20, will begin accepting applications for the 2026 County Arts Making Impact Grant (AMI).
The program is designed to expand arts access and eliminate barriers to participation for residents across the county.
Nonprofit organizations and artists with a fiscal sponsor are invited to apply for up to $5,000, with a total of $50,000 in funding available.
Deadline to submit is March 20, and full program details are at sbac.ca.gov/county-grants.
To apply, organizations must attend a free online grant workshop Wednesday, Feb. 11, or Tuesday, March 10. The sessions will provide essential details on eligibility, application procedures, and funding guidelines.
The AMI grant is made possible through a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, which provides the re-granting funds through its community arts subsidy.
Applying organizations must hold nonprofit status and have an annual operating budget under $500,000. Individual artists and grassroots community groups may also apply under the auspices of a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
Organizations selected for grants will receive 100% of their requests. Funded projects must take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
“We are really proud of the AMI grant,” said Arts Commission chair Robert Dickerson. “For over a decade, it has helped to increase arts and culture access across Santa Barbara County.
“Our goal is that residents, regardless of income, geography, or background, can experience theater, music, writing, storytelling, and beyond. We’ve seen AMI catalyze change in our communities and look forward to building on this momentum.”
The SBCOAC serves as the local governmental umbrella for arts and culture projects and programs. The SBCOAC represents a longstanding partnership between Santa Barbara County and the city of Santa Barbara, and serves as a state-local partner of the California Arts Council.
Learn more at www.sbac.ca.gov.