Grants Program Resources

The Resource Hub offers a wide range of tools to support Arts in California Parks grants program applicants.

Letter of Intent Application

Application Open: Monday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. PT

Application Due: Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. PT

Apply Now

Information Session

Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. PT

Watch Recording

The 2026-27 grant cycle features a streamlined, two-step application process. All applicants must first submit a LOI, which is used to confirm eligibility and assess alignment with program goals before inviting applicants to submit a full application. 

All eligible LOIs will be reviewed. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application with detailed project plans, budgets and required documentation. 

Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. PT: Letter of Intent Deadline 

Approximately 50 applicants will be invited to advance to the full application stage. 

Learn more about the application process, review criteria and required materials in the resources below. 

Before applying, download the Minimum Eligibility Requirements document or toggle through the sections below to see if you qualify for the grants program.

Completed Letter of Intent applications must be submitted by one of the following eligible entities:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Fiscally sponsored community organizations
  • California Native American tribes
  • Native 7871 organizations
  • Foundations
  • Land trusts
  • Local government agencies (city, county, or regional*)


* Regional agencies refer to government entities operating across multiple jurisdictions, such as regional park districts, regional planning agencies, or multi-county collaborations.

All projects must be led through a collaborative partnership that includes, at minimum:

  • One eligible nonprofit or public entity responsible for developing and delivering public art and cultural programming.
  • One local public park manager for the proposed project site.


The eligible organization and the local park manager must work together to plan, implement and support the proposed Arts in California Parks project.

Eligible partner organizations may include nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored community organizations, California Native American tribes, native 7871 organizations, foundations, land trusts and local government agencies.

Additional partners, including artists and community-based collaborators, may be included as appropriate to support the project’s goals.

In order to qualify for this grant program, projects must:

  • Integrate art and nature as a catalyst for community connection in local parks.
  • Be free and open to the public.
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If your project meets these requirements, you are eligible to apply!

The Arts in California Parks grants program intends to foster community connections to California’s diverse cultural history and natural areas beyond state park boundaries. Eligible projects will help enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being.

Eligible projects must be open to the general public. Projects may be located on land that is owned or managed by a local city, county, park or community service district, land trusts, regional park or open space district, non-profit organization or foundation, or any other entity other than federal and state agencies.

Check back Feb. 18 to learn more information about eligible local park projects.

LOI Phase

  • Feb. 9 – March 13: Letter of Intent Application open
  • Feb. 19 – March 9: Community and one-on-one office hours
    • Community Office Hours are open forums where applicants can ask questions and learn alongside peers.
      • Thursday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. PT – Partnerships and Roles
      • Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. PT – Budgets and Eligible Costs
      • Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. PT – Eligible and Competitive Projects
      • Tuesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. PT – Legal and Site Requirements
      • Monday, March 9 at 2 p.m. PT – Last-Minute Questions and Open Q&A
    • 1:1 Virtual Office Visits are 15-minute sessions that applicants may sign up to attend to ask focused, project-specific questions. Limit one session per organization. 
  • March 13, 5 p.m. PT: LOI application deadline
  • March 16 – May 14: LOI application review period
  • Late May: Selected LOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application

Full Application Phase

  • May 26 – June 26: Full application period
  • May 28 – June 18: Community and one-on-one office hours
  • June 26, 5 p.m. PT: Full application deadline
  • July 6 – Aug. 6: Full application review period
  • September 2026: Grant award notifications
  • October 2026: Grant announcements and grant period begins

Have a question about the grants program? Visit our grants program Frequently Asked Questions page for more information!

Community Office Hours

Join our topic-focused community office hours to get your grant questions answered in an open, peer-learning environment. Each session is designed to address a specific aspect of the Letter of Intent or application process, while also allowing time for live questions. Sessions are open to all applicants, and you are welcome to attend any session that aligns with your needs. Each session can host up to 50 participants.

Topic-Focused Office Hour Dates: 

  • Thursday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. PT – Partnerships and Roles
  • Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. PT – Budgets and Eligible Costs
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. PT – Eligible and Competitive Projects
  • Tuesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. PT – Legal and Site Requirements
  • Monday, March 9 at 2 p.m. PT – Last-Minute Questions and Open Q&A
RSVP to Office Hours

One-on-One Virtual Office Visit

Sign up for a 1:1 Virtual Office Visit for a dedicated 15-minute session with the grants program manager to ask hyper-focused questions in real-time. These sessions are designed as quick, drop-in opportunities to get direct support. Limit to one session per organization. 

RSVP to 1:1 Office Visits
Watch the Information Session!
 
You can access resources and materials related to the 2026 Information Session using the following links.

 

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For any questions about Arts in California Parks grants program, please contact the grants manager at Grants@ParksCalifornia.org. 

Art in Nature Collaborative Community project (Bear Yuba Land Trust-Nevada County-2024 grantee). Photo by Parks California.