The arts in all their variety are indispensable to the spirit and quality of life of the Bay Area. For over a quarter of a century, the Zellerbach Family Foundation has sought, through its community arts grants, to ensure the availability of a wide variety of art experiences, to promote multicultural community art, encourage new artists, and improve the capacity to perform and develop new audiences. The Foundation values the continued support of its Community Arts Fund by the Wallace Alexander Gerbode and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundations.

Grants in this category are reviewed by the Foundation’s Community Arts Panel composed of Bay Area practicing artists representative of the rich diversity of the local arts community. Members participating on the Community Arts Panel are:

Kim Anno, Visual Artist
Jose Navarrete, Theater and Performance
Erika Chong Shuch, Choreographer, Dancer
Lisa Steindler, Director, Actor
Amara Tabor-Smith, Choreographer, Dancer
Michael Santoro, Musician, Composer

Examples of Grants by the Community Arts Panel include:

• Dance: Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Bayangan Jiwa
• Theater: Mugwumpin, Future Motive Power
• Festivals: African American Art and Culture Complex, Afro Solo Arts Festival
• Literature: Center for the Art of Translation, Two Voices Reading Series
• Music: Eastside Arts Alliance, John Santos Sextet, Rhythm and Word

The Community Arts Program is the only program within the foundation that accepts applications for funding. Please see our art grant guidelines and application form on this website, or call Linda Howe at 415.421.2629 ext. 11 to request the materials.


Apply for a grant.


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