Sacramento Launches $850 Monthly Payments for Artists Starting Today

Starting today, eligible artists in Sacramento County, California, can receive monthly payments of $850 through a new initiative aimed at supporting their creative endeavors. The Creative Growth Fellowship Program, launched by the Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), is designed to provide financial assistance to artists across various disciplines for a period of 12 months.

This program has a total budget of $2.04 million, allowing for 200 candidates to receive financial support amounting to $10,200 each over the course of the year. Applications for the program closed on June 20, 2023, after opening on June 2. The review process concluded on August 31, with selected artists to be notified shortly.

Eligibility Criteria for Artists

To qualify for the Creative Growth Fellowship Program, applicants must meet three primary criteria. Firstly, they must be residents of the City of Sacramento at the time of application, providing proof of residency dated within the last 60 days. A verification tool was employed to confirm eligibility based on address within city limits.

Secondly, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Finally, they should be actively creating work in one of the 13 specified artistic disciplines, which include:

• Craft
• Dance
• Design
• Film
• Literary arts
• Music
• Oral traditions
• Social practice
• Theater
• Performance art
• Traditional arts
• Visual arts
• Interdisciplinary arts

Comparative Initiatives in Other Regions

The launch of this program in Sacramento follows similar efforts in other regions. Notably, Minnesota initiated a Guaranteed Income for Artists Pilot through the non-profit organization Springboard for the Arts in 2020. This program initially supported 75 artists for a duration of 18 months, extending assistance to 100 artists this year, with each receiving $500 per month.

The funds from these initiatives are intended to address “critical needs” such as food, housing, and essential services, highlighting the importance of financial support for the arts in times of economic uncertainty.

For more details about the Creative Growth Fellowship Program, interested individuals can visit the dedicated webpage provided by the Office of Arts and Culture. This initiative represents a significant investment in the local arts community, aiming to foster creativity and support artists in their careers.