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Costa Mesa Arts Commission approves grants from $12,500 panel pool after 14 applications
Summary
The commission approved the arts grant awards for FY 2025–26 following a panel review of 14 applications; the motion to approve passed 5–0. Applicants described community impact and partnerships during public comment.
The Costa Mesa Arts Commission approved its 2025–26 arts grant awards on April 2 after a review panel scored 14 applications and recommended funding from a $12,500 award pool.
Lorett Garner, the city’s arts specialist, told commissioners a review panel made up of two commissioners and a local arts administrator evaluated applications using the commission’s scoring rubric and recommended full funding for the top three scores with remaining funds directed to the fourth‑ranked applicant.
Applicant Raone Guzman, who identified himself as a City of Costa Mesa staff member working on homelessness solutions, told the commission he applied as a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and said, “it’s the first time since I was living in Palm Desert area that I felt like a city where I live was actually my home.” Nancy Warzor Brady, education and community engagement director for Backhouse Dance, described the company’s prior senior‑center programming and a proposed season of dance and live music supported by the grants.
Commissioners praised the competitiveness of this year’s pool and noted that limited funding meant some strong proposals could not be funded; several commissioners urged the commission to continue advocating for increased arts funding at council. The motion to approve the recommended awards carried 5–0.
Next steps: staff will notify awardees and return with final reports and any updates on supplemental funding opportunities.
