Burbank board allocates $61,500 to Community Arts Grant Program for 2026

The Burbank Parks and Recreation Board on Jan. 20 approved the department’s recommendation to allocate $61,500 for the 2026 Community Arts Grant Program.

Erin Barrows, recreation services manager, said the program — launched in 2023 in partnership with the Cultural Arts Commission — awards grants between $1,000 and $5,000 to support local visual and performing arts projects that directly serve Burbank residents. Barrows said 36 applications were deemed eligible and 10 were ineligible; staff recommended awarding the full fund across 18 recipients.

Barrows described the selection process: two virtual workshops in September and October 2025 to help applicants, an initial staff review for eligibility, and a peer-review panel that met Dec. 9, 2025. The peer panel included experts in music, dance, theater and nonprofit management and used a scoring rubric with an extra five points available for Burbank residency. Barrows said awards were determined based on scores, requests and available funds, and that applicants will receive feedback and may be subject to city audits of expenditures.

The board asked how awardees will be showcased; Barrows said staff will work with recipients on marketing materials, post awardee information on the city web page, issue a press release, and invite recipients to speak at Cultural Arts Commission meetings. Funds will be distributed in two installments and projects must be completed within the project period that begins March 1, 2026, and ends Feb. 28, 2027. Barrows said failure to finalize a project by Feb. 28, 2027 will require returning awarded funds.

Board members voted to approve the allocation by roll call. Staff will publish the list of awardees and coordinate outreach with grantees.