Application and Program Guidelines

Background
This grant program is made possible through a partnership with the City of Gilroy, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the County of Santa Clara. In alignment with the mission of SVCREATES, these grants aim to elevate artists and the arts community in Gilroy by demonstrating the role arts can play in equitable community empowerment, activation and revitalization. 

Objectives for Gilroy Elevate the Arts Grants

  • Support the creation and presentation of culturally relevant artistic work
  • Raise the visibility and voice of local artists
  • Engage the community and activate public spaces through the arts
  • Catalyze capacity and resilience in our historically under-resourced arts ecosystem
  • Rally public support of the arts as a fundamental part of Gilroy’s economic & urban development

Grant Opportunity
Artists and arts organizations based in the greater Gilroy area are invited to apply for projects and/or programs to be delivered in Gilroy between August 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Grants are competitive and limited by the available funding. Partial funding may be awarded. Grant request range will be $5,000 - $15,000

Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Eligible applicants can be individual artists, nonprofit arts organizations, or creative small businesses or LLCs (note that individual artists, LLCs, or for-profit businesses without a fiscal sponsor will be responsible for any tax obligation required when receiving grants).
  • Eligible artists and organizations will be based in the greater Gilroy area (including San Martin, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Juan Bautista).
  • Eligible applicants will include a lead artist or organization with a minimum of three years of experience with arts projects or programming in the Gilroy area OR a minimum of three previous specific art pieces or projects or work samples to show; these may include murals, festivals, programs for youth, performances, or organized exhibits, etc. 
  • Eligible projects will serve Gilroy residents and take place in central Gilroy.
  • Eligible projects will engage local artists.
  • Eligible lead applicants must be 21 years old or older; younger artists of all ages are welcome to participate and be on project teams.

Note: Organizations with active projects (funded with a previous Elevate Grant and not yet completed) under this program, who wish to apply with a new project, please reach out to SVCREATES first. Contact Alyssa Erickson at alyssae@svcreates.org.

How to Apply

Applications are now closed for the 2024 grant cycle.

All application materials will be submitted through SVCREATES' online application portal. If submitting your application online is a challenge for you, please contact Alyssa Erickson to make other arrangements (see contact info below).

Application Requirements will include:

  • Description of the Project, including location, type of art, and intended audience
  • Biographies of Project Leadership
  • List of Project Team Members
  • Examples of Previous Artistic Project Experience
  • Proposed Project Timeline & Budget

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of local arts and community leaders. A limited number of projects will be selected by that panel to receive funding. Applicants may be asked to meet with the review panel in person to address questions related to their projects. The panel meeting will be held in late July in Gilroy. Applicants will be notified by email by Friday, July 19 if selected to meet with the panel.

Review Criteria 
In reviewing applications, the review panel will consider the following factors:

  • Projects will be arts experiences (eg. performances, exhibitions, programs, festivals, murals) that are accessible to the public and activate public space.
  • Projects will be culturally relevant to Gilroy, ie reflecting the history, geography, culture, diversity, current issues, or unique local traits.
  • Projects will have the potential to attract public attention, engage audiences, and raise the visibility of the value of the arts in Gilroy.
  • Applicant artists or arts organizations will demonstrate the capacity to successfully manage and complete the project.
  • Competitive applications will be from artists or arts organizations who demonstrate a commitment to artistic craft, artistic development, and to fair compensation to artists.
  • Priority will be given to projects which provide opportunities for artists from historically under-resourced communities (eg BIPOC, other-abled, LGBTQ+) and /or opportunities for youth engagement.
Grantee Requirements

Grantee Cohort
All grant recipients will be expected to participate in a minimum of one meeting as a group, for the purposes of building connections and providing mutual support for the benefit of all projects.

Permitting and Municipal Requirements 
Depending on the scope of your project there may be municipal codes, City of Gilroy permissions or legal liability requirements. The grantee will be responsible for assessing and meeting such requirements.

Reporting
Each recipient will be expected to submit a short written report at the conclusion of their project summarizing the results and confirming how the grant funding was expended.

Timeline
Application Opens: May 3, 2024
Grant Clinic: May 18, 1:00-4:00 pm
Application Deadline: June 7, 2024
Panel Review: June-July, 2024
Panel Meeting: End of July
Grant Period: August 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025

2024 Funded Projects are:

1202 Contemporary: 2025 Exhibitions Series

Two eight-week art exhibitions open to the public in downtown Gilroy, featuring artists from Gilroy and surrounding communities working in printmaking, and an immersive installation that will include community participation.

6th Street Studios and Art Center: Youth Mentorship Mural on Railroad Alley

In partnership with Shades of Brown Alliance (SOBA), a Gilroy based artist collective, this project will engage at-promise youth in a  collaborative mural project that aims to beautify the downtown area, celebrate the cultural heritage of East/Old Gilroy, and foster artistic expression for youth. 

Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services (CARAS): Tamale Festival Gilroy 2024

A Free Community Cultural Festival featuring live music performances, booths showcasing tamales from various regions of Mexico, a tamale cook-off, kid zone, and car show, in downtown Gilroy in September 2024

MANOS: Third Annual Chalk Festival "Halloween"

Chalk arts competition and festival, with music, dance performances, and vendors in the heart of Gilroy, engaging artists, families, and youth of all ages.

Rubén Dario Villa: Second Annual La Ofrenda Festival and Wellness Fair

Dia de Muertos Festival & Wellness Fair honors, celebrates and preserves Indigenous traditions, through a free, multi-generational celebration held in Downtown Gilroy, bridging the gap between arts, culture and wellness.

2023 Funded Projects are:

Applications are now closed for the 2024 grant cycle.

Click here to review 2024 Funded Projects

Click here to review 2023 Funded Projects

Key Dates for the 2024 Application Cycle:
Application Opens: May 3, 2024
Application Deadline: June 7, 2024
Grant Period: August 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025

Questions?
If you have questions about this grant or application, please contact SVCREATES' Program Director, Alyssa Erickson:
408-998-2787 ext. 204
alyssae@svcreates.org