More than $2.6 million in community grants to organizations statewide were recently awarded by California State Parks, the California Arts Council and Parks California as part of their Arts in California Parks partnership. The funds will help nonprofit, community and tribal organizations bring music, dance, storytelling, visual art and cultural programs into parks, transforming them into vibrant spaces that foster creativity, honor cultural heritage and strengthen community connections.
Managed by Parks California, Arts in California Parks is a four-year, $8 million State Parks grants initiative launched in 2024 to support artists, culture bearers, California Native American tribes and local groups in creating art and cultural experiences in outdoor spaces. By expanding access to the arts in nature, the program helps parks remain welcoming, inspiring and inclusive for all Californians. This is the second round of grants awarded as part of the program.
“Art brings people closer to the meaning of their parks—not only as places of natural beauty, but as spaces for reflection, healing and shared experience,” said Armando Quintero, California State Parks director. “When creativity meets open space, it deepens understanding of one another and reminds us that parks are for everyone. Through initiatives like Arts in California Parks, we’re celebrating the connection between art, nature and community that defines our state.”
This year, 30 organizations across California were awarded grants ranging from $28,000 to $150,000 from a pool of more than 200 applicants. Projects reflect the diversity of California’s people and landscapes. From large-scale performances to culturally focused installations, each initiative provides opportunities for residents and visitors alike to engage with the arts while deepening their connection to nature and local history.
“At Parks California, we believe that access isn’t just about getting to a park — it’s about feeling a sense of belonging once you’re there,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, CEO and president of Parks California. “Arts in California Parks helps make that possible by connecting people, stories and cultures to the landscapes that define our sense of place. These projects reflect our shared vision of public lands as places where creativity thrives, communities gather and every Californian can see themselves represented.”
From murals that celebrate cultural heritage to circus performances in city parks, this new round of grants showcases how creativity and community come together across California.
To learn more, visit ArtsInCaliforniaParks.org.