By Sacramento City Express

The City of Sacramento has launched the Creative Growth Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind program offering more than $2 million in direct financial support to individual artists living within Sacramento city limits.

To help artists take full advantage of this opportunity, the City’s Office of Arts and Culture is urging local creatives to begin preparing now, ahead of the application period opening in June 2025.

The fellowship will provide $850 per month for 12 months to up to 200 individual artists and creatives. The funding is intended to offer supplemental income so that artists can continue developing their work and advancing their careers.

“This is a rare and significant opportunity for local artists,” said Melissa Cirone, grants and programs manager for the Office of Arts and Culture. “This fellowship is a meaningful way to provide the resources they need to thrive.”

While the online application won’t open until June, the program guidelines are available now on the City’s website. Artists should review the materials and begin preparing their responses and assembling work samples in advance.

Applicants often begin the process without fully understanding the eligibility requirements, so releasing the guidelines early gives them a chance to prepare more thoughtfully and submit stronger applications, Cirone said.

Funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Creative Growth Fellowship stems from the City Council’s broader effort to support Sacramento’s creative economy following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2024, the Council established the Creative Growth Support Fund to direct ARPA funds toward individual artists.

Fellowship details

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Reside within the city of Sacramento;
  • Be 18 years or older at the time of application;
  • Demonstrate active work in an eligible artistic discipline, including craft, dance, literary arts, film, music, visual arts, and others.

Artists working in fields such as cosmetology, culinary arts, architecture, wellness, and other disciplines are not eligible. Individuals affiliated with City government, including boards or commissions, are also ineligible.

Selected fellows will receive $10,200 over the 12-month grant period, which runs from August 2025 through July 2026.

What artists can do now

To prepare for the application opening in June, artists are encouraged to:

  1. Read the full guidelines, available in English and Spanish.
  2. Draft responses to application questions in advance.
  3. Gather work samples and other required documentation.
  4. Stay informed by monitoring the City’s website for workshops and community events in May.

Register for the orientation webinar on May 19 at 4 p.m. to learn more about the opportunity and how to apply.

Questions about eligibility or program details can be directed to the Office of Arts and Culture at creativegrowth@cityofsacramento.org.

To view the guidelines and learn more about the Creative Growth Fellowship, visit www.cityofsacramento.gov/creativegrowth.

Stay up to date with the Office of Arts and Culture opportunities by signing up for email updates.