Sacramento is a city where creativity and entrepreneurship intersect. Recognizing the need to support this growing sector, CLTRE, Creative Startups, and the City of Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture have partnered to launch the EveryDay Creative Program. The program consists of three specialized tracks, each designed to support creative entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. Track 1, the 6-Week Pitch Program, is currently open with applications closing September 15. This track provides early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to refine their ideas, strengthen their pitches, and prepare for growth.
About the EveryDay Creative Program
The EveryDay Creative Program consists of three specialized tracks, each designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are in their journey. Track 1, the 6-Week Pitch Program, is open now and focuses on providing early-stage entrepreneurs with business fundamentals and mentorship. Tracks 2 and 3, opening in 2026, will provide personalized coaching and a 12-week accelerator for entrepreneurs preparing to scale.
Unlike traditional business accelerators, EveryDay Creative is tailored for individuals in the creative economy—artists, designers, digital specialists, performers, and innovators whose work connects culture and commerce.
Participants in Track 1 receive:
- Practical training in finance, operations, and marketing to strengthen their ventures.
- Guidance on accessing funding and investment opportunities.
- Business model development and pitch refinement.
- Networking opportunities with collaborators, community members, and industry experts.
- Global and local mentorship through deep dive sessions focused on specific aspects of their businesses.
- Ongoing support after the program, ensuring sustainability beyond the six weeks.
Who Should Apply
The program is designed for individuals and businesses working across Sacramento’s creative industries, including:
- Advertising specialists
- Animators, architects, and art directors
- Content creators, copywriters, and creative directors
- Digital marketing specialists and event planners
- Fashion designers
- Film and video editors
- Game developers
- Graphic designers and illustrators
- Interior designers
- Musicians, photographers, and poets
- Product- and service-based companies
- Public relations specialists and social media managers
- Web developers
- Companies innovating neighborhood development
- And MORE.
This broad range reflects the inclusive nature of Sacramento’s creative economy and the program’s goal of equipping entrepreneurs from diverse disciplines with practical skills.
Program Logistics and Dates
The EveryDay Creative Program is accessible and flexible, with sessions designed to accommodate working professionals.
- Program length: 6 weeks
- Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. (Pacific Time), held online
- Application deadline: September 15, 11:00 p.m.
- In-person kick-off: October 16–17
- Ongoing cohort meetings: October 21 – November 18
- In-person deep dive: November 20–21
- Pitch Night & Graduation: November 21
This structure combines online accessibility with in-person collaboration and culminating presentations.
Program Cost and Accessibility
The EveryDay Creative Program fee is $95 per person for the entire 6-week course. Applicants are only required to pay if they are accepted, and payment plans are available. Importantly, CLTRE and its partners have ensured accessibility by providing an alternative: applicants unable to pay the fee may instead submit a recommendation letter from a community leader (Mayor, Pastor, Professor, Mentor, or other) to support their efforts.
This dual approach reflects the program’s commitment to ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented entrepreneurs from accessing training and mentorship.
Sacramento Partnerships
The EveryDay Creative Program represents a strong collaboration between CLTRE, Creative Startups, and the City of Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture. This partnership reflects a shared recognition that creative industries play a central role in Sacramento’s growth. By aligning with both local and global networks, the program provides entrepreneurs with resources that extend beyond the city while grounding them in Sacramento’s cultural and economic ecosystem.
Program Impact
The program directly addresses the challenges creative entrepreneurs face: limited access to capital, lack of structured business training, and the need for sustained mentorship. By providing targeted support, the program ensures that participants:
- Strengthen their business and organizational strategies.
- Gain the confidence and skills to present their work to investors and collaborators.
- Build networks that extend across Sacramento’s creative community and beyond.
In doing so, EveryDay Creative contributes to Sacramento’s broader goals of inclusive economic development and cultural vibrancy.
Call to Action
Applications for the EveryDay Creative Program (Track 1: 6-Week Pitch Program) are open until September 15, 11:00 p.m. This program is a direct opportunity for creative entrepreneurs to access mentorship, resources, and a collaborative community committed to growth. With a fee of only $95 and an alternative pathway for those unable to pay, it is designed to be inclusive and accessible.
APPLY NOW
