Creative Sonoma contracts with Sonoma County arts, culture, and community partners to present free professional development workshops and trainings for artists, creatives, culture bearers, nonprofit leaders, educators, and arts workers.

By partnering with organizations that already serve these communities, Creative Sonoma can support professional development opportunities that are responsive to local needs and reach diverse audiences throughout Sonoma County.

Eligible partners may include arts and culture nonprofits, arts service organizations,  culturally specific organizations, qualified individuals, educational institutions, and other entities that serve artists, creatives, or culture bearers.

Creative Sonoma is currently interested in proposals for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year that represent contracts below $1,000.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Proposed workshops, trainings, and related activities must be completed by June 1, 2027.

A final survey must be completed no later than June 30th, 2027.

Larger contracts may be considered as additional funding becomes available.

*All workshops and trainings must be offered free of charge to participants.

Funding may support presenter compensation, venue and event costs, workshop supplies, and marketing expenses. Professional development activities should help artists and cultural workers build professional, business, leadership, or organizational skills. Workshops may be designed for specific communities, artistic disciplines, cultural traditional or professional sectors. Funding is intended for the administrative, operational, and business aspects of creative work and is not intended for instruction in artistic techniques or creative practice. 

Topics may include:

·         Business planning and management

·         Marketing, branding, and communications

·         Community engagement and advocacy

·         Curriculum development and design thinking

·         Diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency

·         Fundraising, grant writing, and financial management

·         Human resources, insurance, and liability

·         Leadership development

·         Copyright, contracts, and legal issues

·         Portfolio development and pitching

·         Teaching artist training

·         Wellness, time management, and professional sustainability

Funding is not intended for artistic technique or skills-based instruction.

Professional Development Partners are responsible for all aspects of program delivery including securing presenters, managing program logistics, tracking participation, and completing a brief final survey. Creative Sonoma provides promotional support as appropriate.