Creative Capital

The Artists We Support

Creative Capital acts as a catalyst for the development of adventurous and imaginative ideas by artists whose work is provocative, timely, and relevant; who are deeply engaged with their art forms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of their genre; who create thrilling, indefinable, artistically omnivorous work that carries the potential to reshape the cultural landscape. Our fierce commitment to freedom of expression combined with our open application process leads Creative Capital to be fearless in the selection of exceptional projects that others might not be willing to support.

To learn more about the type of work we support, please view our previously funded projects.

What Makes Creative Capital Different

Creative Capital is interested in more than just providing money and advice to the artists we support; our ultimate goal is to create an artistic home and supportive community to nurture some of the country’s most extraordinary artistic creators and to help provide the skills and confidence for these artists to realize their most ambitious dreams.

Unlike most other arts grantmaking organizations, Creative Capital makes a multi-year commitment to the artists we support, remaining involved over the lives of their projects (on average, between three and five years). Our sequential method of working with artists is based on the equation “money + services + time = success.” The resources we invest in that equation include multifaceted financial awards, career-management training, community-building artist retreats, and promotion of the artists and their projects to a wider audience.

The Grant Cycle

Artists in all disciplines can apply for project grants. We often support projects of great scope and ambition that other sources might be reluctant to fund, at least initially. It is our experience that it takes time to realize any project’s full potential. Therefore, we are committed to working in long-term partnership with the artists we support. Continued artist services and funding over several years is tied to that commitment and is at the core of our work with artists.

As part of our ethos of reciprocity, each grantee agrees to share a small percentage of any net profits derived from the project with Creative Capital, which applies those funds toward new grants. This provision offers artists the means to give back to the arts community.

Artists can apply in five disciplines: visual arts (includes installation art, painting, fiber art, mixed media works, public art, etc.), film/video arts, performing arts (includes music, dance, theater, puppetry, performance art, etc.), and emerging fields (includes all forms of digital work and work that engages gaming, robotics, design, or new technologies), and innovative literature. Projects that transcend traditional discipline boundaries are highly encouraged.

Creative Capital operates on a three-year grant cycle: In the cycle’s first year, we issue grants in visual arts and film/video. The next year, grants for performing arts, emerging fields, and innovative literature are available. During the third year, we continue to support these projects, focusing on tracking progress and assisting with future opportunities.

During each cycle, approximately 80 projects across the five disciplines are funded at initial levels of $10,000 each. Including follow-up monetary support, a project may receive as much as $50,000 throughout the life cycle of the grant, with the average amount closer to $35,000. In addition, non-monetary services, valued at approximately $25,000 per grantee, bring the potential support per project up to $75,000.

The Selection Process

Creative Capital is proud to be one of the few national organizations funding artistic disciplines through an open call rather than a closed nomination system. Our selection process includes three steps: inquiry, application, and panel review.

After an initial review involving staff and more than 100 professionals from the field, selected applications advance for more extensive evaluation. Panels of arts professionals from across the country convene to look at and discuss additional support materials and work samples submitted by the finalists. The panelists then select projects to be funded upon final board approval.

Decisions are based on the artistic strength and vision of the proposed project, the professional capabilities of the applicant, the feasibility of the initiative, and the likelihood that the artist would benefit from participating in the Creative Capital process. After selections are finalized and announced, grantees are given access to our four-part system of support.

Our artists agree to share a small percentage of any net profits generated by their projects with Creative Capital, which applies those funds toward new grants. The principle of sharing proceeds is essential to the concept of Creative Capital; however, potential profitability is not a criterion for selection. We recognize that many of the projects we fund involve risk taking and might not recoup their original investment. Creative Capital does not expect to receive proceeds from a project that does not produce profits for its creator.

View sample contract

Selection Committees

Each grant round, Creative Capital assembles dedicated, diverse, and passionate teams of experts to help us determine which projects to support. The selection committees consist of more than 100 recommenders, readers, evaluators, and panelists.

Recommenders suggest artists and artist organizations in their geographic region to notify about the upcoming grant round.

Readers review and score letters of inquiry to help determine which artists will be invited to submit a full application that includes work samples.

Evaluators review, score, and rank applications, including work samples, to help determine which artists will advance to the panel round.

Panelists review applications, view work samples, and vote to determine a docket of projects to recommend to the Creative Capital Board.

For a list of selection committees please visit past grant rounds.

For more information about applying click here.