Creative Catalyst Fellowship

Source Past Recipients

Details

Travel coveredHousing: Accommodations covered for the two-day in-person retreat (February 16–18, 2027).

Who Can Apply: Individual artists aged 18 or older. Organizations and international artists are not eligible; there is no U.S. citizenship requirement. Past Creative Catalyst Fellows may reapply three years after completing their Fellowship.
The Focus: A yearlong fellowship for artist-led, portable and reproducible work on the theme of Belonging that engages the public on critical issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
The Funding: $30,000 each for up to eight artists, plus communications support, digital advertising, community introductions, exhibition placement help and replica production. Travel and accommodations for the required retreat are covered.
Key Requirements: Google Form application with a 250-word bio and written answers (limits of 150 to 400 words each), up to five work examples combined in a single PDF with any links included, and a CV or artist resume.

DeadlineThursday, October 15, 2026

AwardUp to eight artists will each receive $30,000 to produce work.

DurationYearlong (January–December 2027)

Program datesJanuary–December 2027

Locationnational

ParticipationHybrid

Career stagesAll Stages

DisciplinesVisual art (printmaking, illustration, photography, modular installations), Digital and media-based work (short-form video, audio storytelling), Written and narrative forms (poetry, zines, narratives), Hybrid/interdisciplinary public engagement

Age range18–

Application notesApply through the Google Form (https://forms.gle/r7G3QCaXgS9C64n86; you must sign in to a Google account before the form opens) by Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT. Required: applicant information (name, artist name if different, pronouns, mailing address, phone, email); a brief artist bio noting any previous fellowships (max 250 words); and answers to these questions: (1) why Belonging is important to you and your community/ies (max 350 words); (2) how your project will engage the public in critical issues impacting AAPIs across the country (max 350 words); (3) whether the project will promote civic life or civic participation (yes/no) and (4) if yes, how (max 350 words); (5) your proposed project, including timeline and medium (max 400 words); (6) the values that guide your art, the impact you seek, and your audience (max 350 words); (7) the role of any partner organization or artists, if any (max 150 words; collaboration is not required); (8) any collaboration or contract that could restrict or delay independent release of the work; (9) whether you have applied before, and in what year. Work samples: up to five examples of work that relate to or reflect the proposed project, combined into a single PDF named First Name_Last Name, with any website or portfolio links included inside the PDF. Also upload a CV or artist resume. You may submit more than one proposal, but only one per applicant will be funded. Not fundable: feature-length film, fully staged theater, dance works, community events requiring extended rehearsal infrastructure, or projects dependent on large-scale or fixed physical installations; projects must be nonpartisan and may not advocate for or against a candidate or constitute lobbying. Standalone projects are preferred. Selected Fellows must submit a W-9 or W-8BEN, attend a virtual orientation and the in-person retreat on February 16-18, 2027, complete the artwork by August 15, 2027, and submit a narrative report. The AAPI Fund requires the right to reproduce the artwork; artists keep ownership. Questions: creative@aapifund.org with "CC inquiry" in the subject.

Contactcreative@aapifund.org

Hosted by

AAPI Civic Engagement Fund