2026 World Arts West
World Arts West is honored to be part of the Wallace Foundation’s Advancing Well-Being in the Arts National Arts Partners initiative, alongside 11 other BIPOC-led arts service organizations. Through this regranting program, World Arts West will support California-based organizations whose work sustains, advances, and uplifts diverse cultural traditions, advances well-being in their communities, and strengthens connections across generations.
This initiative is designed to increase access to resources, foster equity in funding, and amplify the voices of under-resourced cultural communities. In addition to direct funding, grantees will also join a cohort-based engagement model (including a beginning, mid-point, and closing gathering and other professional development opportunities based on cohort feedback), creating opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and mutual support.
Grant Overview
Grants are intended as general operating support for organizations and artist collectives advancing cultural practices that center community well-being.
Timeline
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed based on:
This initiative is designed to increase access to resources, foster equity in funding, and amplify the voices of under-resourced cultural communities. In addition to direct funding, grantees will also join a cohort-based engagement model (including a beginning, mid-point, and closing gathering and other professional development opportunities based on cohort feedback), creating opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and mutual support.
Grant Overview
- Total Funding Available: $493,500 (to be disbursed at the beginning of the grant period)
- Grant Amount: $24,675 per award
- Number of Grants: 20 awards will be made
- Grant Period: June 1, 2026-May 30, 2027
Grants are intended as general operating support for organizations and artist collectives advancing cultural practices that center community well-being.
Timeline
- Application Opens: February 17, 2026
- Application Due Date/Time: Friday, April 17, 2026, by 11:59 PM PT
- Eligibility Review: April 17-April 27, 2026
- Panel Review: April 30, 2026
- Notification of Awards: May 15, 2026
- Grant Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a California–based nonprofit arts organization, fiscally sponsored project, or artist collective.
- Be BIPOC-led and serving, with at least 50% of leadership (board, staff, or collective members) identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
- Have an annual operating budget under $500,000.
- Be rooted in and demonstrate a sustained commitment to preserve and/or advance cultural traditions and well-being within your cultural community.
- Be able to spend out funds during the specified grant period.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Cultural & Community Impact: How does the applicant’s work preserve and/or advance cultural traditions and strengthen well-being in their community?
- Equity & Access: How does the applicant create inclusive, accessible opportunities for participation?
- Organizational Capacity: Does the applicant have the leadership and structures in place to carry out the proposed activities?
- Alignment with World Arts West Mission: Does the applicant’s work reflect the values of cultural equity, intergenerational connection, and community sustainability?
Application Instructions
Applicants will submit their materials through Jotform. A preview of all application questions (including word count) is shown below and is available to download as a Word/Google Doc. Applicants are encouraged to download the application preview and fully draft their proposals in the provided template before pasting/uploading/and submitting their proposal in the online grant form.
Required Materials:
- Completed application form
- Budget information (past fiscal year actuals + and current fiscal year projected)
- Work samples (up to 3)
Application Support
World Arts West is committed to an accessible and supportive application process. We will offer:
- Zoom Information Sessions: (First Info Session will be recorded and shared on our Website)
Wednesday, March 4 at 12pm-1pm; REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, April 1 at 6pm-7pm - Email [email protected] after attending or watching an info session if you still have questions
About the Wallace Initiative
The Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative of the Wallace Foundation partners with BIPOC-led arts service organizations across the United States to reimagine equitable grantmaking practices. Through this initiative, resources are regranted directly to communities historically excluded from philanthropic support, with a focus on building well-being, sustainability, and interconnection in the arts ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can individual artists apply?
A: No, at this time we are only funding arts organizations and/or artist collectives with a track record of community-based work.
Q: What kinds of activities can this grant support?
A: Funds are unrestricted general operating support and may cover artistic programming, administrative expenses, community engagement, and other core needs including employee, contractor and artist pay.
Q: Do we need to have 501(c)(3) status?
A: No, fiscally sponsored projects and unincorporated artist collectives are eligible.
World Arts West Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund Grant Application Questions Preview
These questions are also available to download as a Google doc/PDF here.
Eligibility:
To answer this question we seek one number. That number can be any of the following numbers:
If part of a larger organization, please also include their annual budget.
Section 1: Basic Information (short answers, fill-in fields)
Organization/Collective Name
Director/Lead Artist Name
Contact Name for the Application
Email
Phone Number
Address
Website
Social Media Handles
What type of organization are you?
What year was your organization/collective formed?
Section 2: Narrative Questions
Section 3: Supporting Materials
You may link any of the following work samples (up to 3 links)
Section 4: Certification (checkboxes)
Eligibility:
- Are you a culturally-based arts organization or arts collective?
- Are you based in California?
- What is your operating budget? (total expense)?
To answer this question we seek one number. That number can be any of the following numbers:
- Current Fiscal Year Total Budgeted Expenses
- Last Completed Fiscal Year Total Actual Expenses
- Average of last three years Expenses
If part of a larger organization, please also include their annual budget.
- Is your annual budget less than $500,000 (expenses) Yes/No
Section 1: Basic Information (short answers, fill-in fields)
Organization/Collective Name
Director/Lead Artist Name
Contact Name for the Application
Phone Number
Address
Website
Social Media Handles
What type of organization are you?
- Nonprofit
- Fiscally Sponsored Project
- LLC
- Other
If you chose other, please describe:
What year was your organization/collective formed?
Section 2: Narrative Questions
- Describe your work and how it serves your community. (400 words)
- Describe your community, and how your organization and leadership reflects your community. (400 words)
- How has your work sought to advance well-being in your community? (400 words)
- What values drive your work, and how will these funds advance your work? (400 words)
- Cultural Practice Focus: What cultural tradition(s) does your work preserve, sustain and/or advance, and how do you ensure continuity and community ownership in your practice? (300 words)
- Intergenerational Impact: How does your work engage multiple generations (youth, adults, elders) within your community? (300 words)
- Access & Equity: What practices do you use to make your programs accessible to historically excluded communities (e.g., language access, disability access, immigrant/undocumented communities)? (300 words)
- Organization Sustainability: What do you need most right now to strengthen your sustainability as a cultural organization? (e.g., funding, professional development opportunities, space, capacity, visibility, partnerships). (300 words)
- Cohort Participation: In addition to receiving funds, grantees will participate in a WAW-led cohort. What would be most valuable for you to gain from peer learning and cohort participation? (200 words)
Section 3: Supporting Materials
You may link any of the following work samples (up to 3 links)
- Community testimonials or quotes from partners
- Photos
- Videos (max 3 minutes; Provide a timestamp cue of where the sample begins if not at beginning)
- Annual reports or press articles
Section 4: Certification (checkboxes)
- I certify that all information provided in this application is true and accurate.
- I understand that, if funded, my organization/collective will participate in the World Arts West Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund cohort model.
- I agree to provide a brief report (written or verbal) at the end of the grant year.
World Arts West Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rubric for the World Arts West (WAW) Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund under the Wallace Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative. It’s structured to balance the required common questions with WAW’s supplemental priorities.
Scoring Rubric: Each application will be reviewed and scored by a community panel. Reviewers will use the following rubric to evaluate applications. Scores will be based on how well the applicant addresses each criterion.
Scoring Scale (for each criterion):
10 – Excellent: Strong evidence, clear and compelling response
8 – Very Good: Good evidence, minor gaps
6 – Adequate: Meets basic expectations, lacks depth in some areas
4 – Weak: Limited evidence, unclear or underdeveloped response
2 – Poor: Does not meet the criterion or not addressed
Section 1: Alignment with Selection Criteria (80 points total)
1. Community Service & Impact (2–10 points)
2. Community Representation (2–10 points)
3. Advancing Well-Being (2–10 points)
Clear examples of how the work contributes to community well-being (healing, resilience, belonging, joy, sustainability).
4. Values & Funding Use (0–10 points)
5. Cultural Practice Continuity (2–10 points)
Commitment to sustaining cultural traditions with authenticity, continuity, and community ownership.
6. Intergenerational Engagement (2–10 points)
Evidence of meaningful engagement across generations (youth, adults, elders).
7. Access & Equity (2–10 points)
Practices that increase accessibility for historically excluded communities (language access, disability justice, immigrant/undocumented communities, etc.).
8. Organizational/Artist Sustainability (2–10 points)
Section 3: Cohort Participation & Support (20 points total)
9. Cohort Engagement (2–10 points)
10. Supporting Materials (0–10 points)
Support materials (work samples, testimonials, photos, reports, etc.) help strengthen application by illustrating impact or quality.
Total Possible Points: 100
Scoring Rubric for the World Arts West (WAW) Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund under the Wallace Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative. It’s structured to balance the required common questions with WAW’s supplemental priorities.
Scoring Rubric: Each application will be reviewed and scored by a community panel. Reviewers will use the following rubric to evaluate applications. Scores will be based on how well the applicant addresses each criterion.
Scoring Scale (for each criterion):
10 – Excellent: Strong evidence, clear and compelling response
8 – Very Good: Good evidence, minor gaps
6 – Adequate: Meets basic expectations, lacks depth in some areas
4 – Weak: Limited evidence, unclear or underdeveloped response
2 – Poor: Does not meet the criterion or not addressed
Section 1: Alignment with Selection Criteria (80 points total)
1. Community Service & Impact (2–10 points)
- Strength and clarity in describing your work and how it serves your community.
- Demonstrated positive outcomes for the community.
2. Community Representation (2–10 points)
- Leadership and organizational structure reflect the community served.
- Of/by/for approach to cultural work.
3. Advancing Well-Being (2–10 points)
Clear examples of how the work contributes to community well-being (healing, resilience, belonging, joy, sustainability).
4. Values & Funding Use (0–10 points)
- Articulation of organizational values.
- How the grant funds will advance or sustain the work.
5. Cultural Practice Continuity (2–10 points)
Commitment to sustaining cultural traditions with authenticity, continuity, and community ownership.
6. Intergenerational Engagement (2–10 points)
Evidence of meaningful engagement across generations (youth, adults, elders).
7. Access & Equity (2–10 points)
Practices that increase accessibility for historically excluded communities (language access, disability justice, immigrant/undocumented communities, etc.).
8. Organizational/Artist Sustainability (2–10 points)
- Clear articulation of current sustainability needs.
- Evidence that funds will strengthen long-term capacity or stability.
Section 3: Cohort Participation & Support (20 points total)
9. Cohort Engagement (2–10 points)
- Willingness and readiness to participate in the WAW-led cohort.
- Thoughtful ideas on how cohort participation would be valuable to them and their peers.
10. Supporting Materials (0–10 points)
Support materials (work samples, testimonials, photos, reports, etc.) help strengthen application by illustrating impact or quality.
Total Possible Points: 100
WAW Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund is part of World Arts West's Cultural Dance Sustainability Initiative (CDSI).
CDSI includes the following artist service programs:
As well as:
CDSI includes the following artist service programs:
- WAW Cultural Dance Catalyst Fund
- Grants Accelerator Program (GAP)
- Special Artist Commissions (SAC)
- Career Pathways Roundtable (CPR)
- Professional Development Workshops
As well as: