The City of Berkeley Civic Arts Grants Program is currently seeking grant review panelists. The review panel process is designed to ensure that our grantmaking is transparent, thoughtful, and reflective of our cultural equity values.
The Grants Program currently provides funding in three categories:
- Individual Artist Projects
- Community Festivals
- General Operating Support
Two additional grant categories that may be offered this year include:
- Arts Programs
- Capital Projects
Each grant category is reviewed by a separate panel comprised of at least three panelists. Panelists will initially evaluate and score their assigned grant applications independently. Grant categories with more than 60 applications may be split into two separate panels.
Panelists have 6 - 8 weeks to complete their independent review, and then meet virtually (using Zoom) to participate in the review panel. Grant review panel meetings are open to the public, but not recorded. Depending on the number of applications received, panels may take place over 1 or 2 weekdays.
Civic Arts seeks panelists based in the greater Bay Area who are knowledgeable about the arts and cultural sector as it pertains to non-profit organizations, practicing artists, event production, and cultural equity. If accepted to be included in the Civic Arts grant panelist pool, panelists will be eligible to serve up to two years. Panelists are approved to be included in the panelist pool by the Civic Arts Commission. Staff ensures that the makeup of panels is representative of Berkeley’s demographics and the artistic disciplines represented in the grant application pool.
Panelists are currently compensated at rate of $25 for each application reviewed.
Panelists must complete all assigned reviews before the scheduled panel review meeting to participate in the panel and receive payment.