To support Informal Arts Research and Organizing, a research and organizing agenda that will lead to the design and implementation of a program for advancing public participation in informal cultural activities. Silicon Valley is a large, mostly suburban region at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. In 1997 work was completed on a detailed Regional Cultural Plan for Silicon Valley which set forth two approaches: the development of broad literacy in cultural expression through improvement in public school arts education and the enhancement of opportunities for individual and community practice in informal cultural expression. Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley (CISV) was formed with the explicit mission of implementing these key strategies of the Regional Cultural Plan over a ten year period. Last year NCF supported a first phase of research which included conducting field research into the unique forms of cultural participation in this culturally rich community; developing a working paper examining cultural participation; creating an on-line database and identifying and convening an advisory group. In 2003-2004 CISV will be completing field research with communities in the region; convening grassroots cultural leaders to review the findings and assist with the formulation of strategies; assembling a detailed plan; and publishing and circulating locally and nationally a publication that analyzes the data acquired during the research phase of work.