On December 1, 2023, the California Arts Council (CAC) announced 856 grant awards totaling more than $32.75 million in overall projected investments for operational and project support to nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state of California.

In this 2023 grant cycle, ACSO and 12 of our orchestra members received grants totaling $457,463, as did 14 additional orchestras and music organizations that received grants totaling total of $471,750. This is a nearly $1million investment of public funds in our sector.

Arts organizations were awarded grants across six different program areas designed to benefit the whole of California’s arts and culture ecosystem, with focused considerations for first-time applicants, small and mid-size arts and organizations, folk and traditional art forms, county local arts agencies and arts service organizations, and opportunities with deep investment for both general operating and project-based support.

The nearly $33 million in grant awards for the 2023 grant cycle, which includes projections for two-year programs, sets a new record for the state arts agency’s investment in California’s arts and culture workforce via permanent state and federal allocations for local assistance funds, upwards of $2.8 million more than its last record-setting year in 2020. See the full announcement here.

ACSO Executive Director Sarah Weber said, "The 2023 funding from the California Arts Council enables orchestras and music organizations to continue to do incredible work in service of their communities. For our members, grant funding allows them to pay musicians for performing at the highest levels, pay instrumental coaches to teach musicians of the future, provide music education programs to under-served students and rural senior citizens, and create programs about timely social issues like immigration, environmental justice, and the healing power of group singing. Public funding for the arts makes these programs possible and accessible for Californians."

Congratulations to the following orchestras and music organizations!

Arts and Cultural Organizations General Operating Support
Two years of direct funding to arts and cultural organizations in support of ongoing operations, prioritizing small organizations.

• Benicia Chamber Players - $42,000
• Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra - $42,500 (ACSO Member)
• California Chamber Orchestra (Golden Valley Music Society) - $42,000 (ACSO Member)
• Cambrian Symphony - $17,000
• Chamber Music Silicon Valley - $42,000
• Diablo Symphony Association - $42,000 (ACSO Member)
• Filipino American Symphony Orchestra - $42,000
• Glendale Youth Orchestra - $25,500 (ACSO Member)
• Kontrapunktus - $51,000 (ACSO Member)
• Left Coast Chamber Ensemble - $42,000
• Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (LA Korean Youth Orchestra & Wesley Youth Orchestra) - $42,000 (ACSO Member)
• Pacific Chamber Orchestra - $42,000
• San Ramon Chamber Ensembles - $42,000
• Young Musicians Foundation - $54,000

Impact Projects
Support for collaborative projects that center artists and artistic practice in responding to issues experienced by California’s historically and systemically under-resourced communities.

• Camerata Singers of Long Beach - $21,250 (ACSO Member)
• Chamber Music Silicon Valley - $21,250
• Filipino American Symphony Orchestra - $21,250
• Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles - $21,250 (ACSO Member)
• Mozart Youth Camerata - $21,250
• Music in the Mountains - $21,250 (ACSO Member)
• New West Symphony - $21,250 (ACSO Member)
• Noe Valley Chamber Music - $21,250
• San Diego Symphony - $21,213 (ACSO Member)
• Street Symphony - $21,250

Statewide and Regional Networks
Support for arts service organizations providing practical resources for the communities they serve.

• Association of California Symphony Orchestras - $42,500
• Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra - $42,500
• The Colburn School - $42,500 (ACSO Member)