Cambridge Arts Grant Funding Opportunities Now Open

The Cambridge Arts Department is now accepting applications for three fall 2025 grant programs. Artists, cultural organizations, and community members are invited to apply for funding to support their creative work in the following areas: Art for Social Justice, Local Cultural Council, and Organizational Investment. The application deadline for all three programs is October 16, 2025. Applicants may submit only one application per cycle. Funding recipients will be announced in February 2026.

Available Grant Opportunities:

Local Cultural Council Grants

• Funding Available: Up to $5,000
• Description: Offers funding to individuals and organizations for cultural projects, public art, ticket subsidy programs, cultural field trips for children, and other activities.
• Grant Guidelines: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/artscouncil/programfiles/Grants/fy26localculturalcouncilgrantguidelines.pdf
• More Information: https://massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program
• Apply at https://cos.slideroom.com
  

Art For Social Justice Grants

• Funding Available: Up to $7,500
• Description: Support projects that present the themes and ongoing work of social justice to the Cambridge public through the arts.
• Grant Guidelines: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/artscouncil/programfiles/Grants/fy26artforsocialjusticeprogramguidelines.pdf
• Apply at https://cos.slideroom.com
  
  

Organizational Investment Grants

• Funding Available: Up to $9,000
• Description: Provides support for operational costs, sustainability, and resiliency to local cultural organizations that benefit Cambridge residents.
• Grant Guidelines: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/artscouncil/programfiles/Grants/fy26organizationalinvestmentgrantguidelines.pdf
• Apply at https://cos.slideroom.com
  
  

Any applicants interested in applying for a grant to support a public art project are encouraged to refer to the Public Art Project Guidelines: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/artscouncil/programfiles/Grants/fy26publicartgrantguidelines.pdf

GRANT WRITING VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
To support aspiring grant participants in their application process, Cambridge Arts will hold Grant Writing Virtual Office Hours:

• Monday, September 15, 2025 from 5–6 p.m.
• Monday, September 22, 2025 from 5–6 p.m.
• Monday, September 29, 2025 from 5–6 p.m.
• Monday, October 6, 2025 from 5–6 p.m.

These sessions will walk participants through the application process and answer questions. All are welcome to attend one or more sessions. Register for any of these sessions.

The Mass Cultural Council will also offer a Local Cultural Council Grant information session on September 9 at 6 p.m. Register for this information session.