Arts - Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Zaccho Dance Theatre's "Picture Bayview." Photo credit: Jamie DeWolf

Arts

The Rainin Foundation envisions a world where Bay Area artists thrive. Our work is rooted in the belief that we can achieve greater impact when we partner with others, share knowledge and leverage resources.

We believe that visionary artists push the boundaries of creative expression, tell diverse stories and reflect on contemporary issues relevant to ourselves and the world around us.

By seeding innovative ideas, investigating practices, examining new models of support and collaborating across sectors, we hope to remove barriers to unleash creativity. Our partnership with grantmaking intermediaries allows our funding to operate closer to the ground, as we share power and decision-making with trusted aligned partners in the community.

Arts Program Snapshot

Arts Grants

We fund artists working in dance, film, public space and theater, and encourage experimentation that boldly moves the field forward.

Audience members raising their hands to engage with an artist presentation at the Exploring Public Art Practices Symposium.

Arts Initiatives

We aim to support artists in ways that will sustain their creative practice in the Bay Area and serve our communities.

Three young Black female dancers performing on Lake Merritt in front of a band including a keyboardist, guitarist and drummer.

Arts Learnings

We invest in research to better understand the Bay Area arts landscape and what artists are facing.

Arts News & Stories

A group of about 60 people standing in tiered rows stand smiling at the camera.
Catalyzing A Global Movement To Safeguard Arts And Culture

07/29/2025 | Arts

Highlights from the first-ever Creative Land Trust Summit and next steps for building a strong, connected global community of practice.

Group of dancers form a circle on a dark stage. Their right arms extend up as they look down at a pile of white spooled fabric
Report Assesses Sustainability Of Bay Area Performing Arts Sector

05/20/2025 | Arts

The Bay Area Arts and Culture Organizational Sustainability Survey reflects trends from 2019 to 2023 that affirm the challenges and highlight the opportunities that theater, dance and performing arts organizations faced as they navigated pandemic recovery.

Three dancers dressed in white garments performing on a grassy field.
Funding Opportunity For Temporary Public Art Projects

04/29/2025 | Arts

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation invites applications for our Open Spaces Program from May 21 through June 17, 2025.