A new initiative in Sacramento County, California, is offering $850 monthly payments to 200 local artists as part of a first-of-its-kind program. The Creative Growth Fellowship Program is designed to assist artists across various disciplines, providing financial support to help advance their careers.
The program will distribute a total of $2.04 million over the next 12 months. While this initiative presents a unique opportunity for the arts community, the application period has already ended, and officials have stated there are currently no plans for a future second round.
According to The Sun, artists who qualify will receive consistent financial assistance, but the details of the program remain limited.
Program Details and Eligibility Requirements
The Creative Growth Fellowship Program offers a significant financial boost to qualifying artists. Starting September 1, 2025, each eligible artist will receive $850 each month for 12 months, totaling $10,200 over the payment period. To qualify, applicants must meet three main criteria: residency within the City of Sacramento, being 18 years or older, and active involvement in one of 13 approved art disciplines, such as music, dance, film, visual arts, and more.
Application Process and Selection
The application process, which opened on June 2, 2025, closed on June 20, 2025. Artists were required to submit written prompts and examples of their work. The selection process began shortly after, and the final group of 200 artists will be notified by August 31, 2025.
Similar Programs for Artists in the U.S.
Other states, such as Minnesota, are also offering financial assistance to artists. The Guaranteed Income for Artists Pilot program, launched by Springboard for the Arts in 2020, provides $500 monthly payments to 100 artists in certain neighborhoods.
Initially helping 75 artists for 18 months, the program was extended to a larger group of artists this year. These funds are intended to cover critical needs, with 36% of the funds used for essential services, 30% for food, and 10% for housing.
When artists can focus more on their work, families, art, and their community instead of worrying about basic needs, everyone benefits – said Laura Zabel, the executive director at Springboard for the Arts.
This quote emphasizes the positive impact that financial assistance can have on an artist’s ability to contribute to their communities while alleviating personal financial stress.
Impact of Financial Assistance on Artists
For artists participating in the Minnesota program, the funds provided enable them to reduce financial stress and focus on their creative work, rather than basic survival.
The Sacramento program, with its $850 monthly payments, will have a similar impact, providing recipients the financial stability needed to advance their careers.
Sacramento’s Creative Growth Fellowship Program marks an important step in providing direct financial support to the arts community, and the success of similar programs around the country highlights the value of such initiatives in helping artists to thrive.
