cali futures

CALI Futures supports artists and cultural workers who are contributing to alternative efforts that hold promise for greater sustainability, sense of belonging, and self-determination than current conventional systems offer. 

Launched in 2026, CALI Futures (the “Fund”) supports artists and cultural workers across California–individually and in teams–who are meaningfully contributing to alternative efforts outside of conventional nonprofit and for-profit arts and culture systems that have not worked for everyone. This Fund encourages those working in alternative efforts focused on income, ownership, and care, and uplifts the role of artists and cultural workers in shaping and sustaining these efforts. By supporting alternative efforts operating at systemic levels to provide greater financial stability, strengthen creative ownership, and deepen connections to each other, CALI Futures supports the work that makes thriving conditions more possible for the broader arts ecosystem. 

Project-restricted grants of $5,000 will be awarded through a competitive grant application process. Competitive applicants will present (a) a clear project request; (b) proof of an active, current artistic or cultural practice; (c) a description of the applicant’s contribution to furthering an alternative effort that improves financial sustainability, creative ownership, or mutual support, and addresses challenges not sufficiently solved by conventional nonprofit or for-profit sectors; and (d) framing that ambitiously describes the larger implications that this alternative work can have on transforming artists’ lives and the artistic and cultural possibilities of the future. The Fund supports individuals and teams at every stage, from initial ideas and early concepts to research, implementation, experimentation, and reflection. A total of $100,000 in funding will be available each year across the 2026–2028 funding cycle.