California State Parks announces arts grants and photo contest extension

California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California are preparing to launch a new round of community grants through the Arts in California Parks program. For the 2026-27 grant cycle, the program expects to award up to $2.5 million in implementation grants to bring art, culture, and creativity to local parks. This upcoming cycle marks the final year of the program’s three-year pilot initiative. An evaluation of the program found that nearly 79,000 people participated in related events during 2025, with 40% of participants visiting their local park for the first time.

Additionally, the California State Parks Foundation has extended the deadline for its photo contest to September 30, 2026. The contest encourages visitors to submit images of California’s state parks across various categories, including scenic landscapes, wildlife, recreation, and people in parks. The state park system encompasses 280 units, including extensive coastline, lakes, rivers, and historic sites.