ChingChi Yu, a Berkeley dancer and choreographer, exemplifies the creativity supported by Berkeley’s civics art grants, which provide $4,000 to local artists. After reevaluating its previous grant application processes, the city now awards grants to stimulate public engagement through original artistic projects. Berkeley improved accessibility for individual artists after a consultant revealed the isolation felt by many in the artistic community. With increased funds for the 2025-26 grant cycle, more artists can contribute to the city’s cultural landscape, showcasing work that resonates meaningfully with audiences.
Last summer, Berkeley announced that it had chosen 11 artists from a pool of more than 50 to receive civics art grants worth $4,000 each.
The grants, which are awarded annually to artists living in Berkeley, support the production of an original project, requiring public presentations to engage audiences.
Berkeley hired an arts consultant to figure out why so few Berkeley artists applied for its arts grants, leading to an overhaul of the program.
The city overhauled its civic arts grants program, simplifying the application process and splitting grant funds to make them accessible for individual artists.
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