ABOUT THIS CREATIVE SONOMA GRANT:
 

This grant program is intended to enable creative projects in the Fifth District that demonstrate the power of the arts to contribute to the social cohesion of our communities through beautification of downtown areas or neighborhoods. Applications are being accepted to advance that broad objective in unincorporated Fifth District locations that are publicly accessible. This program is made possible with support from the office of Chair Hopkins, County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors, through community infrastructure funding. All applications must be entered via Submittable - paper-based, handwritten or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. 

PROJECT GOALS:

• Improve public spaces through creative projects accessible to Fifth District residents and visitors
• Improve public spaces in unincorporated areas in the Fifth District
• Build sense of shared creativity for West County’s residents
• Generate support from the community and/or local artists
• Optional Social Cohesion Impact: reflect the diversity of the West County community

AVAILABLE FUNDING:

• Approximately 10 awards of up to $10,000 (most in the $5,000 range)

ELIGIBILITY:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Schools
• Chambers of Commerce
• Faith organizations
• Neighborhood or business groups
• County departments and other governmental agencies

Organizations with physical locations in the Fifth District are encouraged to apply. 

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

• Community and/or artist supported public art projects
• Creative projects that demonstrate the power of the arts to contribute to the social cohesion of our communities through beautification of downtown areas or neighborhoods
• Projects developed with Fifth District communities
• Projects located in unincorporated areas in the Fifth District that are publicly accessible

Not eligible: projects located outside of the Fifth District; projects in incorporated Fifth District locations; projects proposed for Caltrans sites.

PROJECT LOCATIONS:

• Locations can include streets, sidewalks, alleys, plazas, storefronts, or public spaces (interior or exterior) in the Fifth District
• Projects should be free and accessible to the community, and appropriately sited in publicly accessible locations
• Applicants should have an appropriate location confirmed prior to submitting for this grant. Some formal permission (written, agreement, permit) must be provided to the County before grant award, should you be funded. 

Projects proposed for Caltrans sites are not eligible for funding through this program.

IMPORTANT DATES (subject to change):

• Online Application Opens:  January 8, 2025
• Virtual Application Workshop:  January 23, 12-1pm (Zoom link will be posted on https://creativesonoma.org/grants/)
• Application Deadline: February 10, 11:59pm
• Awards Announced:  TBD March 
• Funding Period:  April – September 2025

Projects should be on a scale that they can be planned, developed, and executed within a six-month production schedule.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Online at https://creativesonoma.submittable.com/submit 
• Consider registering for and attending the virtual Application Workshop to be scheduled for January 23, 2025. The first half of the workshop will include review of the program along with questions and answers, followed by a line-by-line review of the application for those who want or need more in-depth assistance. The workshop will be recorded and posted on the grant webpage. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Project proposal should include: 

• Confirmed location for the project, including any appropriate permits/permissions, etc.
• Preliminary sketch/rendering/design of the proposed public art
• Project description indicating community support and artist involvement
• Proposed project budget, including revenue and expenses
• Proposed project timeline, including planning, community engagement, implementation, length of display, maintenance (if applicable), etc. 

QUESTIONS:

Email CreativeSonoma@sonoma-county.org or call 707-565-6121