Organization Received
25/26
Requested
26/27
Recommendation
26/27
Coast Film Foundation 28,200 35,000 30,000
Community Art Project 6,600 4,000 4,000
Dance Academy Foundation 0 10,000 0
First Thursdays Art Walk 11,300 15,000 8,000
Friends of Hortense Miller 0 29,000 0
Keith Glasmann Dance 0 8,500 3,000
Kontrapunktus 2,400 2,400 2,400
Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts 23,500 0 0
Laguna Beach Chamber Singers 4,700 15,000 6,500
Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center 32,900 32,900 32,500
Laguna Beach Live 28,200 58,000 28,500
Laguna Beach Sister Cities 4,700 6,000 6,000
Laguna College of Art + Design 0 11,000 0
Laguna Community Concert Band 0 20,000 15,000
Laguna Dance Festival 32,900 60,000 34,000
Laguna Plein Air Painters 0 30,000 20,000
Laguna Radio Inc. 7,500 30,000 8,000
LagunaTunes 4,700 5,200 5,000
LOCA Arts Education 23,500 33,175 25,000
No Square 32,900 40,000 34,000
Opera Laguna 9,400 30,000 10,000
Philharmonic Society of OC 16,000 40,000 20,000
Sawdust Art Festival 23,500 30,000 20,000
Third Street Writers 6,100 14,075 9,000
On-Line Processing 1,000
23 Applications 300,000 300,000 320,900
*Returned Grant Payment $23,500 323,500 320,900
Approved and recommended by the Arts Commission on March 23, 2026.
Attachment 5
40 Cultural Arts Funding Grants 2026 - 2027
Application Criteria
Edibility: Non-profit organizations with the primary purpose and experience in presenting arts programs in Laguna Beach. Collaborative programming will be accepted, with the organization whose primary focus in presenting the arts being the lead applicant.
Goal: The purpose of this funding is to create quality cultural art experiences that benefit guests that stay overnight at Laguna Beach hotels while improving the experience for residents. The funds available support art projects that promote tourism and related events.
• In 2018, the City of Laguna Beach approved a Creative Placemaking Assessment which identified cultural art activation sites. Organizations are encouraged to utilize sites within the Civic Arts District for its programming including but not limited to: Festival of Arts and Sawdust Art Festival. Additional sites include Main Beach Cobblestones, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Playhouse and the Promenade on Forest, creative site solutions such as non-traditional venues will be considered. • Funds for this grant are made available through the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District. The funds are dedicated for grants to organizations wishing to enhance the cultural arts environment of Laguna Beach and related programming. The grants are operated and reviewed by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and approved by the City Council.
The City of Laguna Beach is committed to working with cultural arts organizations to ensure the development and success of a vibrant arts community. Applicants are encouraged to provide expanded programming that deepen and expand active experiences in the arts.
In evaluating applications, consideration will be given to the following:
1. Non-profit organizations with functioning arts programs.
2. Cultural arts programs that provide the greatest benefits in meeting the needs of Laguna Beach, its residents, and visitors.
3. New/ and or expanded art services not currently being provided.
41 2026-2027 Cultural Arts Funding
Grant Synopsis
Coast Film Foundation (Requested $35,000) Recommended: $30,000 Established in 2022, the organization promotes films and film relates activities year-round and annually presents the Coast Film & Music Festival. Funds will be used to provide free public screening and music on Forest Avenue, film events at Rivian South Coast Theater, and expand programming at its annual event, in addition to marketing initiatives.
Community Art Project (Requested: $4,000) Recommended: $4,000 Community Art Project was established in 1995 and is committed to increasing the visibility and appreciation of Art and serving as a catalyst for Art education. Funds will be used to market and promote its exhibitions and deliver rack cards to local hotels.
Dance Art Academy Foundation (Requested: $15,000) Recommended: 0 Dance Arts Academy Foundation was established in 2023 to provide equitable access to dance and arts education for youth and communities. Funds will be used to provide dance and wellness classes First Thursdays Art Walk (Requested $15,000) Recommended: $8,000 Established in 1998, the mission of the organization is to promote art and appreciation through the community of fine art galleries. Funds will be used for marketing, outreach and printed materials.
Friends of Hortense Miller (Requested: $29,000) Recommended: 0 The mission of the organization is to preserve and maintain gardens on land donated to the City of Laguna Beach by Hortense Miller. Funds would be used for workshops, art-focused tours, 50th anniversary dance event, Open House and exhibits.
Keith Glassman Dance & Performance (Requested: $8,500) Recommended: $3,000 Established in 2005, the mission of the company it to support the creative work of dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Keith Glassman. Funds will be used to present “Dance Unplugged” a collection of movement explorations, pay artists, rental fees and promotional expenses.
Kontrapunktus (Request $2,400) Recommended: $2,400
Kontrapunktus is an orchestra formed in 2016 to present live chamber music concerts. Funds will be used to produce a classical concert at the Laguna Presbyterian Church. The grant will provide funds for artists fees, marketing and venue rental.
Laguna Beach Chamber Singers (Request $15,00) Recommended: $6,500 The mission of the organization is to enrich the lives of our community through artistic excellence and creative programming. Funds will be used to fund marketing of performances at the Sawdust Art Festival, Fete de la Musique in addition to new performance venues and administrative costs.
Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center (Request $32,900) Recommended: $32,500 Established in 2020, the mission of the Center is to harness the power of the arts for the benefit of the community. Funds will be used for video and technical production of Laguna Beach TV featuring events at the center in addition to marketing.
Laguna Beach Live (Request $58,000) Recommended: $28,500 Laguna Beach Live was established in 2001 and provides access to quality live music. Funds will be used to present Jazz, Bluegrass and BBQ, Classical Music and Live Music Insights. The grant will provide funds for rental, production, and artists fees.
42 Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association (Request $6,000) Recommended: $6,000 The organization was established in 2008 to develop long-term cultural exchange relationships with the cities of Menton, San Jose del Carbo, St. Ives and Fuji Five Lakes, Japan. Funds will be used to produce the annual Fete de la Musique, including city permits, advertising and venue costs.
Laguna Beach College of Art + Design (Request $11,000) Recommended: 0 Founded in 1961, Laguna College of Art + Design offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs with over 700 fulltime students. Funds will be used to lead a weekly visual lecture series at the Susi Q Center open to individuals aged 18 and up from August 6 through September 10, 2026.
Laguna Community Concert Bard (Request $20,000) Recommended: $15,000 The mission of the organization is to enrich the artistic and cultural life of the community to enjoy listening to music. Funds will be used to present free concerts in addition to marketing and promotion.
Laguna Dance Festival (Request $60,000) Recommended: $34,000 Established in 2005, the Festival’s mission is to present world class dance, increase public appreciation and provide quality education. Funds will be used to present its annual Laguna Beach Dance Festival providing funds for artistic fees, venue rental, production costs, marketing, and promotion. A second request is for an artist residency and performance of “WE The People” and “Carmen” at the Laguna Playhouse.
Laguna Lein Air Painters Association (Request $30,000) Recommended: $20,000 Founded in 1996, Laguna Plein Air Painters honors the 19th century plein air movement that established Laguna Beach as an Artists Colony. Funds will be used to support the 28th annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational production costs, marketing and public programming.
Laguna Radio Inc. (Request $30,000) Recommendation: $8,000 KXFM 104.7 has provided Laguna Beach with immersive and comprehensive community content since 2012. Funds will be used to produce an annual Halloween celebration at the Festival of Arts, staffing costs, staging, audio visual content and marketing.
LagunaTunes (Request $5,200) Recommended: $5,000
Established in 2003, LagunaTunes mission is “Celebrating Community Through the Joy of Singing.” The chorus is open to everyone regardless of ability. Funds will be used to present two free concerts. The grant will provide funds for marketing and promotion.
LOCA Arts Education (Request $33,175) Recommended: $25,000 Established in 1993, LOCA Arts Education is to provide affordable visual arts education services to people of all ages and backgrounds. Funds will be used to present Art Talks, Art and Sea Life, Art Escape Workshops, Laguna Beach Landscapes and Catch the Art Wave 2027. The grant will provide funds for artist fees, materials, venue rental marketing, and promotion.
No Square Theatre (Request $40,000) Recommended: $34,000 The organization mission provides theatrical experience and education to local amateur performers of all ages and to nurture a love of theatre and the performing arts within our community. Funds will be used to present “Wisdom of the Masters: The Teaching Artists Series” with presentations by leaders in various disciplines of theatre. The grant will provide funds for artists fees, accommodation, marketing, and promotion.
Opera Laguna (Request $30,000) Recommended: $10,000
Established in 2022, the mission of the organization is to inspire awe in the transcendent beauty of the human voice. Funds will be used to market the performance of “Laguna Boheme” at the Laguna Playhouse. 43 Philharmonic Society of Orange County (Request: $40,000) Recommended: $20,000 The Philharmonic Society of Orange County is the county’s first and oldest music organization, founded in 1954. The organization annually presents the Laguna Beach Music Festival, a multi-day celebration of classical and contemporary music. Funds will be used to present the 25th anniversary of the Laguna Beach Music Festival. Funds will be used for artistic and production expenses in addition to marketing and promotion of the festival.
Sawdust Art Festival (Request $30,000) Recommended: $20,000 Established in 1968, the mission of the organization is to promote the arts created in Laguna Beach through education, appreciation, demonstration, and hands-on experiences. Funds will be used to expand educational programs for off-site art classes and include staffing costs, artist fees, and marketing.
Third Street Writers (Request $14,075) Recommended: $9,000 The organization consists of active and published authors and was established in 2015. Funds will be used to present and expand the Laguna Beach Literary Festival with a keynote speaker in addition to rental costs and marketing. 44