Any artist eighteen or older who lives in San Bernardino County and proposes a project that takes place in the City of Ontario and benefits its residents. Artists from all disciplines are welcome.

No. You can live anywhere in San Bernardino County as long as your project is created for and activated within the City of Ontario.

A public activation is any creative experience that invites community participation or engagement. This may include a workshop or class, a live demonstration or performance, temporary art installation in a public space, cultural storytelling event, a pop-up or interactive activation, etc. If the public can attend or take part, it is eligible.

Projects that uplift community stories, celebrate Ontario’s culture, increase access to the arts, promote belonging, clearly outline a feasible plan and budget tend to be strongest, and projects that do not include hateful language, explicit content, etc.

Yes. Collaborative projects are welcome. One lead applicant must be designated to receive and manage the funds.  Only one application per project will be accepted.

Artists may request between 500 and 1,500 dollars depending on the project scope. Funds may cover materials, supplies, equipment rentals, marketing, project production, labor, and documentation.

Projects outside Ontario city limits, private or restricted events, fundraising activities, capital improvements, and projects scheduled outside the grant timeline are not eligible. Durable equipment purchases and retroactive costs are also not allowed.

Public activations must occur no later than July 31, 2026, with documentation submitted by September 2026.

Yes. Public placements require coordination with Arts Connection and or the City of Ontario to make sure the space is safe, accessible, and aligned with city guidelines.

The City of Ontario has a variety of public spaces that could be activated for your project. Community Centers, Libraries, Parks, etc, and other non-profit organizations may serve as venues for the project. For a list of potential locations, please click here.

A panel of local arts and community professionals will assess artistic merit, community impact, feasibility, alignment with program goals, and strength of the engagement component.  

Award decisions will be shared in February 2026.

Artists must submit three to five photos, a brief written reflection, and proof of public activation such as a flyer, website link, or video. 

No. Each artist may submit one application per cycle. 

Yes. We understand project costs may be more than what the microgrant can provide and encourage the leveraging of additional funding from another source, or as part of a matching grant.

For support, email Crystal Sepúlveda, Programs Manager and Residency Curator at Crystal@Artsconnectionnetwork.org , or Ulises Rodriguez, Associate Director at Ulises@Artsconnectionnetwork.org