Applicant Name Project Title
Requested
Funding
Recommended
Funding Type of Art Total RACC Score
MacArthur MAZE "Pride & Purpose!" Album $14,650 Music Production 62 Joyce Brenner
SunJams Productions The Annex Sessions (ft. Richmond Artist) $9,798 Music Performance Series 71 Ron Calime Nelson Mandela International Day Celebration $10,450 Celebration and Honoring 80 Mario Bobino
Media Arts Institute Mental Health $8,720 Short Film on Mental Health 84 Darrin Westmore
Art at Vibe Richmond in Color $13,180 Visual Arts Workshop & Exhibition Series 92 Tiara Amar, Whippoorwill Arts Whippoorwill Arts - 2026 Music aLIVE Concert and Advocacy for Richmond Musicians and Residents $15,000 $12,500 Music Performance Series 82 Richmond Art Center Bold, Brash, & Boundless: Lighting Elderhood $15,000 Art Exhibition 88 John Boychuk Miraflores Rising Roses $15,000 $15,000 Sculpture 90 Cobiz CoBiz Art walk $5,000 Art Exhibit 93
Shiree Dyson/Sage & Needles Fix-N-Mend Community Day $14,408 $12,500 Refurbished Fashion Art 89 Shahrzad Dance Daastan: From Story to Body $9,400 $9,400 Dance Performance 89 Fred Franklin, Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council
Richmond friends of Recreation Senior Circle of Love $10,181 $12,500 Senior Arts Crafting Workshop 90 Shawnie Bennett, Melanin Unlimited I AM / ACTwOKE $15,000 $15,000 Arts & Performance Showcase 96 Cindy Serrano
Empowering Youth Through Music Cindys Creative corner $8,500 $8,500 Fashion and Youth Empowerment 90 The Latina Center Con la V de Victoria! $15,000 $12,500 Cultural Arts Gallery & Workshop Series 93 Mark Anthony James, EYTM Empowering Youth Through Music $15,000 $10,000 Music Education 95 Stephen Bruce Skidmore Project $15,000 $10,700 Children's Art Education & Workshop 95
Jayson Johnson, Strike Five Films, LLC
Independent Arts & Media What's Reel About Richmond Workshops $15,000 $15,000 Series of Short Films regarding Richmond 97 Chef Marshawn Howard
Art at Vibe Community Culinary Project $14,990 $14,900 Culinary Workshops Series 97 Matt Dostal
NIAD Art Center We Are Creating Our Own Histories: Mural $15,000 Mural 98 Washington Elementary School PTA Washington Elementary Mural Project $13,000 $11,500 Mural 99 $267,277
RACC Recommended NPA MG Projects:
Total Grant Funding Requested --> $120,890 $110,000
<--RACC Recommended NPA MG Projects:
Based on Total Funding Budgeted
Total Grant Funding Requested by
Runner Up NPA MG Projects --> $54,589 $50,000
<--Total Additional Grant Funding Recommended by
RACC for Runner Up NPA MG Projects:
RACC Recommended NPA MG Projects & Runner Ups:
Total Grant Funding Requested --> $175,479 $160,000
<-- RACC Recommended NPA MG Projects & Runner Ups:
Total Grant Funding Recommended
Option A:
Option B:
Option C:
RACC recommends awarding grant funds totaling $110,000 to 9 NPA Mini-Grant Projects , and designating 4 Runner-Up Projects as alternates.
*Runner-Up Projects shall be approved to substitute in place of any recommended project that fails to meet the City of Richmond’s contracting or compliance requirements necessary to receive a fully executed contract.
RACC recommends increasing the FY 2025–2026 NPA Mini-Grant Budget by an additional $50,000 , for a revised total of $160,000, in order to award 9 Finalist Projects and 4 Runner-Up NPA Mini-Grant Projects recommended by the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission.
FY 2025-2026 NPA Mini-Grant Application Scoring Matrix:
Total Grant Funding Requested from all 21 Applications -> RACC recommends increasing the FY 2025–2026 NPA Mini-Grant Budget by an additional $65,479 , for a revised total of $175,479, in order to award
13 NPA Mini-Grant Projects recommended by the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission. 1) Empowering Youth Through Music
Applicant: Empowering Youth Through Music (EYTM)
Primary Contact: Mark Anthony James
Location: 2200 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA
� Narrative Summary
Empowering Youth Through Music provides beginner-level instruction in drums, piano, guitar, DJing, recording engineering, and vocal performance for Richmond youth ages 10–
15. The program focuses on confidence-building, sequencing, memory, motor skills, and emotional growth, particularly supporting youth with learning challenges. At the conclusion of the program, each student receives an instrument of their choice to continue learning beyond the classroom. The program culminates in youth-led performances showcasing progress to families and community.
� Community Engagement
• Hands-on classes led by professional musicians & engineers • Live community performance open to families
• Continued mentorship after program completion
� Measurable Goals
1. Serve 12–15 Richmond youth ages 10–15
2. Each student completes at least one music piece and performs live
3. 100% of participants receive a personal instrument to keep ���� Deliverables
• 10–12 weeks of music classes
• Final community performance
• Instruments awarded to all students
• Audio recordings documenting youth work
2) Daastan: From Story to Body
Applicant: Shahrzad Khorsandi
Location: Central Stage (Richmond)
� Narrative Summary
Daastan collects oral histories from Iranian immigrants in Richmond and transforms them into bilingual (Farsi/English) spoken-word performance layered with dance and live music.
The project challenges traditional Iranian expectations that dance follows music by treating movement as the lead storytelling form. The final performance highlights shared experiences of identity, resilience, and cultural survival. � Community Engagement
• Oral history interviews with Iranian immigrants
• Bilingual public performance at Central Stage
• Facilitated post-show discussion on culture, migration, resilience � Measurable Goals
1. Collect and translate stories from 10 Iranian immigrants
2. Public audience of 65+
3. Post-show surveys show increased understanding of immigrant experience ���� Deliverables
• 1 final public performance
• Oral history collection documentation
• Bilingual staging (Farsi/English)
• Facilitated community Q&A
3) The Skidmore Project
Applicant: Stephen Bruce
Location: Richmond K–12 schools
� Narrative Summary
The Skidmore Project is a STEAM-based workshop that teaches students the “science of art and the art of science” by using oxidation and household acids to create art on copper plates. Students design the composition, treat copper with acids (pickle juice, orange juice, tomato juice, etc.), and analyze the chemical reactions that change color. Participants keep their artwork.
� Community Engagement
• Delivered directly in Richmond schools
• Students participate in hands-on science experiments
• Classroom discussions on chemistry, creativity, and process � Measurable Goals
1. Host workshops at multiple Richmond schools
2. Serve 150+ students over one school year
3. Each student completes a finished copper art piece
���� Deliverables
• Copper artwork pieces for each student
• In-class presentations and science discussions
• Teacher resource packet
4) What’s Reel About Richmond
Applicant: Jayson Johnson, Strike Five Films
Location: Vibe Bistro, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Richmond
� Narrative Summary
A filmmaking and storytelling workshop providing 20 full scholarships to Richmond residents (BIPOC, queer, underserved). Students learn scriptwriting, filming, editing, directing, and sound recording, and produce 5–10 short films about Richmond history and culture. Final films premiere at Vibe Bistro for 100–200 attendees. � Community Engagement
• 6 in-person workshops
• 6 Zoom check-ins
• Public film screening
• Free Director’s Book and filmmaking resources
� Measurable Goals
1. Train 20 Richmond residents in filmmaking
2. Produce 5–10 completed short films
3. Public showcase with 100–200 attendees
���� Deliverables
• Short film collection uploaded online
• Community screening
• Filmmaker resource kits
5) Cindy’s Creative Corner
Applicant: Cindy Serrano
Location: 2200 Macdonald Ave., Richmond
� Narrative Summary
A weekly arts workshop for girls ages 8–13 focusing on custom apparel, design, color theory, branding, and entrepreneurial skills. Students design shirts, hats, and tote bags while learning business basics like pricing and marketing. � Community Engagement
• Showcase or pop-up event for families
• Collaboration with community mentors
• Peer-collaboration and team projects
� Measurable Goals
1. Serve 10–15 girls
2. Each student produces multiple finished wearable-art items
3. End-of-program showcase with pricing boards and branding displays ���� Deliverables
• Apparel pieces
• Youth showcase event
• Introductory entrepreneurship lesson
6) Washington Elementary Mural Project
Applicant: Washington Elementary PTA
Location: Washington Elementary, Point Richmond
� Narrative Summary
The PTA will produce a student- and community-informed mural on polytab or aluminum composite panels, installed at the school entrance. Led by a professional muralist, students participate in color education sessions, design choices, and painting. The mural improves school pride and adds a landmark for the neighborhood. � Community Engagement
• Student engagement workshops
• Community focus group on color/theme
• Community painting day
• Public unveiling
� Measurable Goals
1. Participation of 75+ students and families
2. Mural installed on exterior wall facing Richmond Ave
3. Community unveiling event
���� Deliverables
• Permanent mural installation
• Engagement sessions & painting day
• Installation & celebration event
7) Miraflores Rising Roses
Applicant: John Boychuk / Richmond Rotary
Location: Miraflores Park Plaza
� Narrative Summary
A 20-foot steel and ceramic sculpture honoring the Japanese-American nursery history of the Miraflores neighborhood. Sculpture includes welded trunk, steel leaves, four ceramic rose blossoms, and a community-made tile base. Designed as a permanent landmark viewable from the Bay Trail and senior housing.
� Community Engagement
• Tile-making workshops with seniors and youth
• Rotary volunteer build/installation days
• Public dedication ceremony
� Measurable Goals
1. Engage 60+ residents in tile workshops
2. Install 20-ft public sculpture meeting all City standards
3. Dedication event with public attendance
���� Deliverables
• Permanent sculpture
• Ceramic tile community installation
• Dedication ceremony
8) Community Culinary Project
Applicant: Chef Marshawn Howard
Location: Vibe Bistro / Art at Vibe
� Narrative Summary
Six culinary art workshops teaching seasonal cooking, plating, cultural storytelling, and professional kitchen skills. Participants earn SafeServe Food Handler certification and document dishes as photography + written reflections. The program ends with a Community Harvest Exhibition and public meal.
� Community Engagement
• Partnerships with Bay Area Rescue Mission, local farms • Public tasting/exhibition
• Meals for community members
� Measurable Goals
1. 6 culinary art workshops
2. 12–20 trained participants receiving certification
3. Public community meal & exhibition
���� Deliverables
• Food Handler certifications
• Photographed culinary “art” gallery
• Public harvest event
9) I AM / ACTwOKe — Melanin Unlimited
Applicant: Shawnie Bennett / Melanin Unlimited
Location: Richmond, CA
� Narrative Summary
The I AM / ACTwOKe Project is a performing-arts and wellness initiative designed to support emotional healing, cultural pride, and creative confidence among Richmond youth, women, and families. Led by Melanin Unlimited in partnership with Brain Unchained, the project offers workshops that combine acting, dance, music, journaling, and visual arts with emotional intelligence skill-building.
Participants create original performances and art reflecting themes of identity, resilience, and storytelling. The program concludes with a public Community Art & Performance Showcase, celebrating personal expression and collective healing through the arts. � Community Engagement
• Workshops hosted in community spaces, schools, churches, and arts venues • Pop-up sessions to reach underserved neighborhoods
• Bilingual, culturally responsive activities for African American, Latinx, and multicultural communities
• Final public showcase featuring participant artwork, monologues, poetry, and performance pieces
� Measurable Goals
1. Serve 100–200 Richmond participants
2. Produce 50+ original artworks and performances
3. Build ongoing partnerships with Richmond youth programs, schools, and community organizations
���� Deliverables
• A full series of acting, arts, and wellness workshops (Jan–Dec 2026) • A public Community Art & Performance Showcase
• Collaborative art exhibit and mural board: “I AM wOKe: My Voice Matters” • Increased community access to arts-based wellness, confidence-building, and emotional intelligence