The Gloria Burt Sacramento Region Arts Fellowship seeks to support artists who strive to grow the impact of their work in the Sacramento region. The Fellowship supports the creation and implementation of projects that provide public benefit and/or that form bridges with commerce, local businesses, or public institutions. In doing so, supported artists achieve the following goals of the Fellowship:

1. Develop professionally, resulting in the advancement of their creativity, production, and distribution of new and higher-quality work that is skillful, original, and increasingly recognized locally, nationally, and internationally as exemplary.

2. Foster dynamic collaborations between emerging and/or professional artists, individuals, and local businesses or institutions within the Sacramento region.

In 2022, Fellowship awards will be based on assessed strength of the artistic quality, the vision as displayed across a single body of work or idea, and the means of implementing the vision for public benefit or bridging the vision to commerce.

The Sacramento Region Community Foundation, in partnership with the Sacramento Alliance for Regional Arts (SARA) and Blue Line Arts, will host an informational session designed to inspire ideas and answer questions for interested applicants. See details in “Process & Timeline” below.

To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Be a current resident of one of the four counties: El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo. Proof of residency will be required. If awarded, grantee will need to submit a W-9. Not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind at the time of the application deadline

• Not be an employee, board member, or an immediate family member of any of the fellowship partners

To be eligible for the Fellowship and in compliance with the tax laws of the United States, funds from this award cannot be used for any of the following purposes:

• To make grants to individuals for travel, study or other similar purposes by such individuals, unless such grants satisfy the requirements of Section 4945(g) of the United States Internal Revenue Code

• To make any grant to any other organization, other than to public charities or exempt operating foundations, which does not comply with the requirements of Section 4945(d)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code

• To undertake any activity for any purpose other than the charitable purposes specified in Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the United States Internal Revenue Code

• To carry on propaganda, or otherwise to attempt to influence any legislation

• To influence the outcome of any specific public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive

• Debt reduction, debt elimination, student loans, penalties, or litigation costs.

• Capital improvements, construction, or renovation projects

• Debt retirement

• Miscellaneous or contingency costs 

• Indirect costs (costs not directly related to carrying out the project)

• Fundraising activities 

• Permanent equipment

Eligible activities must take place between July 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023.

The program will provide one-time grants of up to $10,000. Between two to five grants will be awarded. The total requested amount should not exceed $10,000. Funds may be used for the direct expenses related to the creation of new works of art or an art project. This award is not transferable. 

In addition, the fellowship recipient will receive the opportunity to participate in an artist residency and exhibition at Blue Line Arts.

The Fellowship will accept applications in the following artistic categories:

• Visual Arts: Ceramics, Sculpture, Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, Sketching, Photography, Fiber Arts and Mixed Media, Installation

•  Electronic Media: Video, Digital Art, Film-making

• Folk Arts: Folk and Traditional Art in all disciplines 

• Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Theatre

• Literature: Poetry, Creative Writing, Playwriting

Applicants will be initially screened for eligibility. Applicant submissions will then be reviewed and scored by a regional review panel to select finalists. 

Important Dates:

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted and no exceptions will be made. We highly recommend completing the application in advance of the deadline to allow time for work samples to upload as well as to avoid potential technical problems.

Applicants will receive notification regarding their award by late June 2022. Awardees will receive the award upon receipt of the signed award letter and completed Form W-9. A   final narrative report, detailing where the funds were expended, will be required 30 days after the end of the 12-month Fellowship period.

Informational Session: The informational session will give an overview of the Gloria Burt Sacramento Region Arts Fellowship, highlighting key goals and objectives of the grant. In the webinar, Fellowship partners will review the application and submission process and answer questions from the public. Please find webinar information in the link located in the timeline above.

Competitive applications will demonstrate a benefit to the public through the work created, a clear plan for public exhibition of the work, and/or the formation of a unique business engagement or partnership with an institution or organization either during or after the work is created.

Applicants must submit the following information through our online application system:

• Contact Information

• CV/Resume

• Artist work statement that describes professional artistic and educational background, and a little about their work

• A brief description of project activities, goals and   how the funds would be used

• Description of the potential impact of the project on the intended audience

• Explanation of community need and description of the communities/populations that the project will serve Artistic work samples that outline their creative skills and capabilities, particularly those that are central to the outcomes of the proposed project.

***Please note, the Foundation's online application system is intended for nonprofit organizations. In order to apply as an individual, applicants will need to download and follow a set of instructions. Please click here to access those instructions then click the link below to apply.

Application Closed.

Hand delivered applications will not be accepted. Materials not requested will not be reviewed. For questions about the application form and/or process, please contact the Foundation at grants@sacregcf.org. 

The Gloria Burt Sacramento Region Arts Fellowship was founded with the support of the Sacramento Region Arts & Business Council (Sac ABC), administered by Blue Line Arts. In January 2017, Blue Line Arts held an Arts & Business Awards Gala. A key component of the event was the creation of a fund specifically targeted to support artists who collaborate with businesses in our region. It is with the gracious gifts of the 2017 gala attendees that the fund was created with the support of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.

In 2020, the Sac ABC was relaunched as an independent nonprofit doing business as the Sacramento Alliance for Regional Arts (SARA) with a renewed focus on arts advocacy. SARA promotes arts education, cultural equity and the creative sector, building recognition and support for artists and arts organizations in the greater Sacramento region.

Blue Line Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts center and gallery in the heart of downtown Roseville. The gallery showcases the works of regional and national artists, while engaging our community through arts programming and events, such as artist lectures, workshops and classes for all ages, public art projects, and more. To support a full creative life for all, Blue Line Arts commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable nation.

The Sacramento Region Community Foundation focuses on expanding opportunity through focused leadership and advocacy that inspire partnerships and expand giving. The Gloria Burt Sacramento Region Arts Fellowship reflects the Foundation’s core strategic values and commitment to foster a thriving cultural community in the Sacramento region.