March 4, 2024
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) is pleased to announce the launch of a $100,000 arts marketing grant program, made possible through the generous support of the City of San Jose’s 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 funding, enabling a total of 20 $5,000 grants, to be awarded in 2024. These grants aim to support organizations and events that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of downtown San Jose.
Applications for the grants are now open, with a deadline of Friday, March 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Late submissions or amendments will not be accepted. Recipients of the grants will be announced in April.
Eligible organizations must be within the Business Improvement District (BID) boundaries of the San Jose Downtown Association, or they must be an arts-serving organization hosting events within these boundaries. The grants can be used for a single event, a series of events, or a marketing campaign within the BID boundaries. Events and programming outside of these boundaries are not eligible for this grant, regardless of the organization’s location.
Events eligible for funding include live music, dance, theater performances, visual art installations and exhibits, and cultural arts, among others. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as audiences served, estimated event attendance, marketing campaign reach and budget, and diversity of artistic mediums represented.
Grant recipients are required to incorporate the ParkSJ logo, approved language, and website link into their marketing materials and organization websites. Additionally, recipients must provide photos from their events or programs for potential use in SJDA and City marketing. Nonprofit entities must submit a W-9 and IRS determination letter.
“We are thrilled to offer these grants to support the arts community in downtown San Jose,” said Alex Stettinski, CEO of the San Jose Downtown Association. “Through these funds, we aim to promote cultural experiences, enhance downtown vitality, and contribute to the overall vibrancy of our city.”
For more information about the grants and to apply, please click here.
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CONTACT: Robert Robledo, Director of Marketing and Communications, rrobledo@sjdowntown.com; (408) 464-6992
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About San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA): The San Jose Downtown Association is a membership-based nonprofit organization created in 1986 to provide marketing, advocacy, public art, and clean and safe initiatives on behalf of 2,000+ member businesses and property owners in Downtown San Jose. SJDA’s mission is to support the members’ vision of a vibrant Downtown San Jose for everyone.
