San Diego Artist Incubator

The San Diego Artist Incubator (SDAI) is a countywide professional development and presentation program for artists living in San Diego County. SDAI Round 2 is designed for artists who have completed work, or a developed body of work, that is ready to be shared with the public through a presentation, exhibition, performance, installation, activation, or other public-facing format.

SDAI Round 2 will help selected artists strengthen the practical skills needed to present their work in a range of spaces. Participants will learn more about how artists collaborate with cultural institutions, independent venues, creative businesses, community organizations, and nontraditional presentation spaces. Through partner-led learning, coaching, peer exchange, and presentation planning, artists will explore how to match their work with appropriate spaces, build realistic production plans, communicate with potential partners, and develop sustainable presentation models.

Selected artists will participate in a small cohort experience, receive a $5,000 stipend, and work toward public-facing presentation opportunities with program partners during the fellowship period. Applicants are encouraged to review the full SDAI Round 2 Guidelines before applying, as the guidelines include complete information about eligibility, program expectations, required materials, review criteria, and participation commitments.

This iteration of SDAI is funded, in part, by the California Arts Council.

Program Benefits

Professional Development: Practical training focused on public presentation, venue partnerships, production planning, budgeting, marketing, audience development, and sustainability.

Public Presentation Experience: Support to develop and present work through public-facing opportunities with program partners.

Partner Access: Opportunities to learn directly from cultural institutions, independent venues, creative businesses, and community spaces about how they collaborate with artists.

Presentation Planning Support: Guidance to create a presentation concept, project budget, marketing strategy, and implementation plan.

Peer Learning: A small cohort experience that allows artists to share ideas, receive feedback, and build relationships with other artists.

Stipend Support: A $5,000 stipend to support participant time, labor, supplies, materials, transportation, and presentation-related expenses.

Professional Network Building: Expanded relationships with venues, arts professionals, program partners, creative businesses, community organizations, and peer artists.

Applications 

Applications Due: June 30, 2026 5:00 P.M. PT  

Application Link: https://sandiegoarts.fluxx.io/

Funded Fellowship Period: August 2026 – December 31, 2026

Guidelines

Applicants should read the full guidelines before beginning the application. The guidelines include eligibility requirements, program expectations, application questions, required attachments, review criteria, and additional conditions for participation.

San Diego Artist Incubator Round 2 Guidelines

Resources

• Fluxx User Registration Guide

• Preliminary Presentation Budget Template: This optional template is designed to help applicants think through the early costs and revenue opportunities connected to their proposed public presentation. The budget does not need to be final or fully developed; it should serve as a starting point for planning how the $5,000 SDAI stipend and other possible resources may support the project. Click here to download the presentation budget template.

• Additional technical assistance and application support information will be announced on this webpage, by email, and through City social media channels. Information about upcoming open houses will also be shared through these channels.

Activity Period

• The program is expected to take place between approximately August 2026 and December 2026. Final dates are currently being developed and will be shared with selected participants upon fellowship offer.

• Participants should expect a mix of virtual and in-person engagement, including workshops, coaching or feedback sessions, partner meetings, planning activities, public presentation opportunities, and a culminating event.

• Because SDAI Round 2 includes partner venue collaborations and public presentations, participation requirements may vary from week to week. Most weeks may require approximately 5–10 hours of participation. Some higher-intensity weeks may require up to 40 hours of participation, particularly during presentation weeks, installation periods, production timelines, or public events.

• Some evening and weekend availability will be required.