2024 Arts Marketing Grant
We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts Marketing Grant!
Thanks to the City of San Jose, the Department of Transportation, and the Knight Foundation, a total of $100,000 has been allocated to support arts marketing initiatives. These grants will empower arts organizations and event producers to boost their marketing efforts, attracting more visitors to downtown San Jose and enhancing the utilization of City-owned ParkSJ lots and garages.
With the Knight Foundation matching the City’s funds, we’re proud to award 20 grants of $5,000 each in 2024. Applications closed on Friday, March 29 at 5 p.m.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who applied for the Arts Grant. Now, without further ado, let’s celebrate the winners:
- Chopsticks Alley Art
- CINEQUEST INC.
- Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
- City Lights Theater Company
- CreaTV San José
- Fountain Blues Foundation
- genARTS Silicon Valley
- History San José
- Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose
- Local Color
- MACLA
- New Ballet
- Opera San José
- Plant Slut
- San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
- San José Museum of Art
- Silicon Valley Pride
- sjDANCEco
- Starting Arts
- Symphony San Jose
Congratulations to all the winners! We are excited to see your successful marketing initiatives unfold.
Application Process Closed: Requirements Overview
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.
Thank you to our partners
