On Tuesday, November 18, the California Arts Council (CAC) announced contracts to disburse 679 grant awards for its 2025-26 fiscal year, totaling to more than $19.5 million in overall investments for operational and project support to nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state of California.

Organizations were awarded grants across seven different program areas designed to benefit the whole of California’s arts and culture ecosystem. Grant awards and outreach for the season emphasized the Council's three previously identified priorities for 2025-26 local assistant funding: organizations serving historically and systematically underserved communities located in the lower two quartiles of the Health Places Index (HPI); first-time CAC grantees; and small organizations with total revenues of $250,000 or less. Read the full announcement here.

Congratulations to the 23 orchestras and music orgs in ACSO's network that received grants in three program areas totaling $460,950. ACSO was also pleased to receive a grant for general operating support.

Arts and Youth

Support of meaningful arts participation and learning in diverse settings and contexts for infants, children, and youth ages 0-25 by prioritizing programs that directly bridge barriers to access and participation.

• Berkeley Symphony Orchestra - $17,750
• California Chamber Orchestra - $21,000
• California Symphony - $17,750
• Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles - $20,500
• KALEIDOSCOPE Chamber Orchestra - $18,250
• KeyNote/San Diego Youth Symphony - $17,500
• Left Coast Chamber Ensemble - $18,250
• Long Beach Camerata Singers - $20,250
• Musicians at Play - $23,000
• Riverside Arts Academy - $18,000
• San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra - $18,000
• The Colburn School - $18,000
• Youth Orchestra Salinas - $18,000

General Operating Support

Direct funding to arts and cultural organizations in support of ongoing operations.

• Association of California Symphony Orchestras - $12,300
• Bach Collegium San Diego - $15,900
• Bay Philharmonic - $12,300
• Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles - $12,600
• Long Beach Camerata Singers $12,300
• Napa Valley Youth Symphony - $21,300
• Pacific Chamber Orchestra - $12,300
• Riverside Arts Academy - $21,600
• Sacramento Master Singers - $12,900
• Salastina - $12,300
• San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra - $12,600
• Westwind Brass Inc - $12,600

Impact Projects

Support of collaborative projects that center artists and artistic practice in responding to issues experienced by California’s historically and systemically under-resourced communities.

• Music Sierra (New Vintage Baroque) - $18,500
• Noe Valley Chamber Music - $19,000
• San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra - $18,500