California Arts License Plate Reads Art LVR

ARTS STABILIZATION PROGRAM

The Arts Stabilization Program began in 1998 in an effort to strengthen the arts community and specifically nonprofit arts organizations. In 2007 some Arts Stabilization programs were expanded to include small arts groups and individual artists. This program provides resources, support and technical assistance to Sacramento County arts and cultural organizations, artists and arts groups in marketing, business and financial planning, board and staff development and professional development.

Individual artists should check back soon for professional development workshops.

Within Arts Stabilization, SMAC currently offers:

Microgrants
These grants seek to provide vital support as emerging groups and artists establish themselves and become contributors to Sacramento’s arts communities. Grant applications are accepted year-round, in five categories: Staff Development; Career Advancement; Sudden Opportunity; Arts Learning Opportunity; Small Arts Project Grant; and Traditional Arts.

Applications are reviewed once per month or as needed. Grants typically range from $100 to $600. Individual artists, arts groups, arts organizations and community organizations and schools wanting to fund an arts related event or activity or further their professional development are eligible to apply. Please email Laura Norman or contact her at 566-3984 for more information. Click on the SMAC WebGrants link to the right to apply.

Stabilization Grants
Stabilization Grants (formerly Mini-Grants) are designed to target specific needs of nonprofit arts organizations, arts groups and artists. Grant amounts vary based on category. Applications are typically reviewed four times per year. Please refer to the programs’ guidelines for additional information. Stabilization Grants will be open for applications late 2008. Please check back. Read more (expand text)

Stabilization Grants include:

The Professional Support Materials Grant is open to artists, nonprofit arts organizations and arts groups to develop a work sample (i.e. portfolio), or documentation of artwork, for grant applications and marketing purposes. Grants typically range from $500 to $3,000.
The Marketing Grant is open to nonprofit arts organizations and emerging arts groups seeking to fund new marketing initiatives; increase and improve marketing strategies; and reach the region’s untapped audience interested in culture and the arts. This grant is not open to individuals. Applicants must show a history of programming within Sacramento County. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000.
The Planning Grant is open to nonprofit arts organizations and emerging arts groups seeking to develop essential planning documents such as strategic/long range or marketing plans (Check the guidelines for the entire list). This grant is not open to individuals. Applicants must show a history of programming within Sacramento County. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000.

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Organizational Development
Seeking to strengthen the managerial and fiscal practices of nonprofit arts organizations, this program draws on regional and national resources as well as the Nonprofit Resource Center to provide board member and management training opportunities. The program also seeks to provide technical assistance, professional development and leadership development opportunities for arts administrators. Read more (expand text)

Organizational Development Training

Scholarships are available to both staff and board members; workshops and trainings are offered throughout the year. They address a variety of board development and management issues including board/staff roles and relationships; board management; recruitment; development/fundraising; and financial management. Computer training courses are also available.

Arts-Focused Workshops

Workshops specifically address arts-related organizational development issues. The workshops are designed to address both the volunteer board-run organizations as well as the more established primarily governance board.

BoardLink

BoardLink is an ongoing program of the Nonprofit Resource Center designed to strengthen the Sacramento region through training and connecting the community’s emerging leaders with nonprofit boards. This program trains individuals from the Sacramento region on the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members, and it introduces trained candidates to local nonprofit agencies affiliated with the BoardLink program.

Custom-Designed Trainings

The Nonprofit Resource Center will offer custom-designed trainings for arts organizations requesting individualized board development. The NRC will provide either a single half-day training or one to two 1-hour trainings that take place during board meetings.

Custom-Designed Technical Assistance

Additional assistance for arts organizations with identified needs but no funds for implementation, or are facing unanticipated challenges, may be available on an as-need basis.
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Arts & Culture Resource Guide
The Arts & Culture Resource Guide is offered as a one-stop compendium of local, regional and national resources in funding, management, marketing, and professional development. The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission works to introduce artists to additional resources in the community at large. The Arts & Culture Resource Guide is available to you. Click here for a PDF version or call (916)566-3992 for a hard copy.

Resources and workshops
SMAC will offer professional development workshops for individual artists. These workshops are still being developed. Please check back soon for more information.

Email SMAC staff to let us know of a Stabilization need that you have.

Click on the Arts Resources link to the right for more resources, grants and job opportunities in the arts.