MONTEREY COUNTY — Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has announced the newest recipients of its 2025 Community Arts Grants, awarding $109,000 in total funding to 16 local organizations bringing arts and culture to communities across all five supervisorial districts.
These grants, up to $7,500 each, support public arts programs, events and projects that celebrate creative expression and community connection. Funding is made possible by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, with additional support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Todd Lueders Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.
“These organizations reflect the incredible diversity, talent and heart of Monterey County,” said Jacquie Atchison, executive director of Arts4MC. “Through this grant program, we’re not only supporting local creativity — we’re ensuring that the arts are accessible and thriving in every part of our community.”
The Spring 2025 Community Arts Grant recipients and their respective districts are: MILPA (D1), Salinas Living Poetry and Prose Project (D1), Aromas Hills Artisans (D2), Artistic-Civic League United (D3), Hijos del Sol Arts Productions (D3), Sol Treasures Inc. (D3), Elevate 831 LLC (D4), Community Partnership for Youth (D4), Palenke Arts (D4), Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County (D4), Action Council (D4), Carmel Delights Dance Company (D5), Carl Cherry Center for the Arts (D5), Sunset Cultural Center (D5), The Lyceum of Monterey County (D5) and Congregation Beth Israel – Carmel Jewish Film Festival (D5).
Funded projects include cultural festivals, youth arts education, poetry and theater workshops, community murals, gallery exhibitions and programs that celebrate diversity, equity and creative expression across the county.
This marks the second round of awards in the current fiscal year, following a successful launch of the revamped grant initiative in fall 2024. Designed to promote equity, the program prioritizes support for under-resourced organizations and those serving historically underserved communities, using the Healthy Places Index as a guiding tool.
All grant applications were evaluated by an independent panel of 15 community jurors, representing a wide range of artistic and cultural expertise: Adam Hansen, Audrey Summers, Brielle Bumba, Cassidy Hobler, Christian Mendelson, Eric Mora, Gary Miller, James Perry, Jude Yriarte, Marylu Mesa, Megan Whilden, Michael Houston, Susan Klusmire and Tish Sammon.
To learn more about the Community Arts Grants or to apply for the next funding cycle in the fall, visit arts4mc.org/grants.
