Artist Opportunities

The City of Santa Monica supports and celebrates artists through grants, fellowships, and residencies. Explore past Artist Fellows, Residents, and other grant recipients from 2010 to the present here.

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Santa Monica Individual Artist Grants 

BACKGROUND PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Santa Monica Individual Artist Grants (IAG) program fosters the creation of new work, recognizes artistic excellence, and celebrates our community’s commitment to creativity and innovation. Since its launch 17 years ago, the program has supported nearly 80 individual artists across disciplines, including visual art, writing, choreography, performance, and music.

The program operates in two parts:

  • Artist Fellowships, competitive awards that honor and support mid-career Santa Monica artists (typically two each year, by nomination only).

  • Artist Project Grants, which provide Santa Monica-based artists—including emerging artists—with funding to strengthen their practice. Project Grant funds may be used for essential expenses such as materials, marketing, professional documentation, studio or rehearsal space, and costs related to shipping, framing, or installing work.

Together, these opportunities ensure that local artists receive the recognition, resources, and support they need to thrive—while strengthening Santa Monica’s arts and culture ecosystem and enriching the creative life of residents and visitors alike.

2026-27 IAG PROGRAM TIMELINE 

Application Opens: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Application Workshop & Staff Appointments: September 2026
Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Staff Review: October 2026
Panel Review: November 2026
Award Notifications: December 2026
Grant Period: January–December 2027

GUIDELINES & APPLICATION MATERIALS

Program Guidelines -- coming soon!
Application -- coming soon!
Sample Application -- coming soon!

LEARN ABOUT OUR CURRENT INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTEES 
https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/santa-monica-announces-2026-individual-artist-grant-recipients
2026 IAG Grantee list  

QUESTIONS? 
Please contact artsgrants@santamonica.gov

AOR MICROGRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Art of Recovery (AoR) Microgrant Program supports artists, arts and culture producers, and community partners in creating accessible arts and cultural experiences that enliven public spaces, foster community connection and well-being, and strengthen Santa Monica's creative economy. Originally launched in 2020 as part of the City of Santa Monica's Economic Recovery Task Force, the Art of Recovery initiative was inspired by the WPA-era Federal Art Project and has evolved into an ongoing investment in artists as essential contributors to the City's cultural vitality. READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND MANY FACETS OF THE ART OF RECOVERY PROGRAM HERE. 

Today, the AoR Microgrant Program provides flexible funding for artist-led and community-centered projects that:

  • Activate parks, streets, neighborhoods, and other public spaces. 
  • Expand access to arts and cultural experiences for Santa Monica residents and visitors. 
  • Foster meaningful community connection and well-being. 
  • Encourage innovative partnerships between artists, businesses, nonprofits, neighborhoods, and community organizations.  

Priority is given to arts and cultural producers who have not previously received City of Santa Monica arts funding. 

AOR MICROGRANT TIMELINE

The AoR Microgrant Program accepts applications on a rolling basis and conducts quarterly panel reviews until available funds are fully expended. To be considered during a quarterly panel review, applications must be submitted by one of the following application deadlines: 

  • August 1, 2026 
  • November 1, 2026
  • February 1, 2027
  • May 1, 2027  

Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions approximately four to six weeks after each quarterly panel review. 

AOR ELIGIBILITY, GUIDELINES & APPLICATION MATERIALS

Program Guidelines
Application (Survey Monkey Apply)
Sample Application

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact artsgrants@santamonica.gov

2025-26 AoR Microgrant Impact Report

Camera Obscura Art Lab Studio Residency

Where
Camera Obscura Art Lab, 1450 Ocean Ave.
Application and Guidelines
Click here for application and guidelines.
Applications Will Be Available
Annually in the fall
Latest Application Deadline
Friday, April 12, 2025, 12:59 PM PT
Eligibility
LA County Residents
Length
14 Weeks
Required
Workshops
Culminating Exhibit/Performance

Annenberg Community Beach House Fall and Spring Writer Residency

Where
Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 PCH
Application and Guidelines
On hold, to be announced
Eligibility
LA County residents; writers of poetry, plays, and fiction
Length
9 weeks per residency
Fall is October - December
Spring is January - March
Required
Public Events
Office Hours
Weekly Blog Posts

ACBH Choreographer Residency

Where
Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 PCH
Applications Will Be Available
Biennially (even years) in January
Application Deadline
Biennially (even years) in March
Eligibility
LA County Residents
Length
3 months onsite planning and 5+ weeks rehearsal/performance in September and October
Required
Site Sensitive Public Oriented Work
Public Practice
Blog Posts


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