The City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with its partners Team San Jose, San Jose State University and the School of Arts and Culture at MHP, are pleased to announce a new grant opportunity for small and mid-sized performing art organizations to access the California Theatre, Hammer Theatre, Mexican Heritage Plaza, and Montgomery Theatre beginning July 1, 2023.  This grant opportunity is an outcome the City’s Community and Economic Recovery Task Force that recognized the need to reduce barriers for small and mid-sized art groups’ access to performing art venues as they recover from the pandemic.

Eligibility Requirements and Available Funding

A total of $100,000 is available for the four theaters. This funding is available from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Each venue has been appropriated $25,000.

Theater Access Grant recipients must be San Jose-based small or mid-sized art organizations. New organizations that have not previously accessed the facilities will be given priority. The City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs defines small art organizations as having an annual operating budget of $350,000 or less.  Mid-sized organizations are defined as having an annual operating budget between $350,000 and $750,000. Organizations will be asked to submit budgetary documentation. 

The maximum grant award per organization is $5,000. Small and mid-sized art organizations are eligible for grants of up to 50% of the facility rental costs. Organizations may only receive one grant. 

For More Information

Each theater operator will be the primary contact for potential facility use and grant administration. Each operator has a facility use application. Contact the facility operators to inquire about facility spaces, sizes, availability, and more.

Venues	Contact Information
CALIFORNIA THEATRE	Address: 345 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95113   Operated by Team San Jose Contact: Miriam Gutierrez Email:   mgutierrez@sanjose.org Phone: (408) 975-3453   https://sanjosetheaters.org/theater-rental-information/
HAMMER THEATRE CENTER	Address: 101 Paseo de San Antonio (between 2nd & 3rd Streets) San Jose, CA 95113   Operated by San Jose State University Email: hammer-rentals@sjsu.edu Phone: (408) 924-8502   https://hammertheatre.com/rentals/
MEXICAN HERITAGE PLAZA	Address: 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116   Operated by the School of Arts & Culture at MHP Email: events@mhplaza.org or esther@schoolofartsandculture.org Phone: (408) 794-6240; (669) 243-5079   https://www.schoolofartsandculture.org/services
MONTGOMERY THEATRE	Address: 271 So. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113   Operated by Team San Jose Contact: Miriam Gutierrez Email: mgutierrez@sanjose.org Phone: (408) 975-3453   https://sanjosetheaters.org/theater-rental-information/

For more information about other San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs opportunities for the arts and culture, visit our homepage.