For Artists
Opportunities for Artists
Artists like you make Santa Cruz County a better place to live. That’s why we’re here: to support you and other artists with the funding, relationships, and opportunities you need to share your art with our community.
Browse opportunities for support below.
Resources for Artists: Find information on other grant opportunities, COVID relief and more.
Apply for a Grant
Unlock thousands of dollars in grant funding to make your next creative dream a reality. We support artistic projects and development for artists and arts organizations.
Connect with Schools
Inspire a kid. Build relationships. Make someone else’s day a little more colorful. Join our high quality network of Teaching Artists in Santa Cruz County. We share this resource with dozens of schools across the county every year, connecting teachers and school leaders with new artists to bring into their classrooms.
Join our Teaching Artist network
Join the Open Studios Art Tour
Be one of the 300 artists to throw open your doors and welcome in the community during Open Studios. Every October, we turn Santa Cruz County into a giant art tour and generate more than $700,000 in art sales back into the community.
Join your creative neighbors
Be Part of the Visual Arts Network
The Visual Arts Network is an online hub of over 350 visual artists in Santa Cruz County. Here you can have a personal profile page to show off your work and your process, and connect with the public through your shop, website, and social media channels. As a member, you’ll also be able to build your peer network and access professional development trainings just for Visual Arts Network artists.
Join the Visual Arts Network →
Hearts for the Arts
Each February, we invite local artists to donate a small piece of love- or heart-themed art for Heart for the Arts. All of the proceeds from the silent auction go to the Arts Council’s arts education programs SPECTRA and Mariposa Arts – which serve more than 18,000 youth across Santa Cruz County.
Share your art →
County Government Center Building Exhibits
Display your latest artworks right in downtown Santa Cruz. Each year, the Santa Cruz County Government Building hosts a rotating exhibit of 2-D and 3-D artists on their 1st and 5th floors. Artwork is seen by hundreds and hundreds of people during each 9-week exhibit. Applications for exhibits at the County Government Center in 2022 will be available in November 2021.
