2024 Arts Marketing Grant
The San Jose Downtown Association is excited to announce $100,000 in arts marketing grants, thanks to the City of San Jose, Department of Transportation and the Knight Foundation. These grants will enable arts organizations and event producers to increase their marketing budgets, bringing more people into downtown, ultimately increasing usage of the City-owned ParkSJ lots and garages.
The Knight Foundation has matched the City’s funds, allowing for a total of 20 $5,000 grants to be awarded in 2024. Applications were due Friday, March 29 at 5 pm. No late submissions or amendments will be accepted.
Thank you to all who have applied for the Arts Grant. The San Jose Downtown Association will now begin the review process and will be in touch with all applicants shortly regarding the status of their submissions. We will be in touch soon.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible organizations must be an arts organization within the BID boundaries of the San Jose Downtown Association; or an arts serving organization with an arts focused event, event series or activation occurring within the BID boundaries of the San Jose Downtown Association. The boundaries are defined as Fourth Street on the east, Interstate 280 on the south, Highway 87 on the west and Julian Street on the north, plus San Jose MarketCenter on Coleman Avenue, Little Italy and SAP Center.
Eligible organizations or events can apply for a $5,000 grant to be used on a single event, or series of events within the BID boundaries, or a marketing campaign for activities within the BID boundaries. Events and programming outside of the BID boundaries are not eligible for this grant, even if the organization itself is within the BID boundaries.
Eligible events, event series and arts organization marketing campaigns must start prior to June 30, 2024. Arts events include, but are not limited to:
- Live music, dance and theater performances
- Visual art installations and exhibits
- Cultural arts
Applications will be scored and ranked based on the following criteria:
- Audiences served
- Estimated event attendance
- Marketing campaign reach and budget
- Diversity of artistic mediums represented
Grant Application Timeline
Grant Application Released
February 26
Grant Application Due
March 29, 5 p.m.
Grant Applications Reviewed
April 1-14
Grants Awarded
By April 15
Grant Recipient Requirements
The City of San Jose’s Department of Transportation is helping to fund these grants with the intent of changing the negative view of downtown parking and enlightening arts and event enthusiasts about the parking website, ParkSJ.org. Notably, the site provides information about the 90 minute free parking program and real-time availability in ParkSJ garages. This initiative is part of the city’s broader effort to enhance the downtown parking experience.
- Place or include the ParkSJ logo, approved language and website link into marketing materials and organization website. These items will be provided upon award of grant. Examples of marketing materials with ParkSJ logo must be provided to SJDA prior to June 30, 2024.
- Provide photos from the event or program that can be used in SJDA and City marketing.
- Submit W-9 and IRS determination letter (for nonprofit entities only).
- If applicable, report out event or program attendance and/or marketing campaign reach.
Questions about the grant?
Contact Juan Carlos Aguirre, Community Engagement Manager, jaguirre@sjdowntown.com, to learn more about this grant opportunity.
