The California Cultural Data Project is the most ambitious and comprehensive effort ever to gather and analyze information about the contributions of the cultural sector to California’s economy and quality of life.

The California Cultural Data Project will benefit the cultural sector by providing comprehensive, standardized data on arts and culture. This data will allow the cultural community to articulate and provide evidence for the sector’s assets and needs, and its contributions to the state.

The launch of the California CDP has been made possible through the leadership of:
California Arts Council
Los Angeles County Arts Commission
The Getty Foundation
The James Irvine Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

This statewide data collection effort for arts and culture was launched in Pennsylvania in September 2004, after three years of testing and development. A similar project  was launched in Maryland in June 2007. It was designed to provide an easier application process for potential grantees through the development of a standardized form for organizational data that will accompany grant requests to the partnering funders. Applicants will only need to complete this form once each year.

In addition to creating a streamlined application process for more than 5,000 arts and culture organizations throughout California, it is hoped that access to reliable data about the cultural sector will enhance both individual organizational capacity as well as the overall effectiveness of the nonprofit cultural community.