For Artists
Artists like you make Santa Cruz County a better place to live. Browse opportunities for support below.
Apply for an Arts Council Grant
Unlock thousands of dollars in grant funding to make your next creative dream a reality. We support artistic projects and professional development for artists and arts organizations.
Join our Teaching Artist network
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.
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.
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.
Exhibit your artwork at the County Building
Every year, the Santa Cruz County Government Building hosts a rotating exhibit of 2D and 3D artists on their 1st and 5th floors. Artwork is seen by hundreds of people during each 9-week exhibit.
Find information on grant opportunities, COVID relief and more.