Marking 25 years of groundbreaking artist support, Creative Capital is expanding its support of individual artists across the United States and its territories with the 2026 Open Call for the Creative Capital Award and the launch of a new two-year initiative, the State of the Art Prize, which is designed to further expand our grants and services to uplift more regional and rural artists, to invest in grassroots creative economies, and to foster a vibrant cultural landscape across the U.S. Our goal is to support artists of various identities, ages, and career stages working across a range of disciplines, themes, and ideas.

Creative Capital encourages a spirit of mutual generosity and exchange among our community through awardee gatherings, peer learning, and artist-to-artist connections. Creative Capital also invites artists who have realized financial success through our programs to give back to the organization through tax-deductible donations to help support the next generation of artists creating groundbreaking new works.

For the 2026 grant cycle, Creative Capital invites professional artists to propose experimental, original, bold new works in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Film, and Literature. Multidisciplinary, technology, and/or socially engaged projects are welcome in all disciplinary categories. Creative Capital seeks project proposals for formally and/or conceptually innovative works in all disciplines, including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and multimedia, dance, theater, playwriting, jazz, opera, music, experimental film, documentary and narrative film, poetry, and fiction. 

Creative Capital welcomes a full range of artistic approaches and thematic inquiries, including boundary-pushing formal explorations, as well as projects that engage urgent social issues of our time. Creative Capital also seeks new projects or works addressing subjects that Creative Capital has not previously funded. For example, for this grant cycle, Creative Capital also seeks strong visual arts projects dealing with fentanyl, veterans/military, or wealth inequality.

The Creative Capital Award seeks project proposals in the following disciplines:

• Visual Arts: architecture & design, craft, drawing & illustration, ecological art, installation, painting & printmaking, performance art, photography, public art, sculpture, social practice, sound art, video art, technology, and socially-engaged visual art
• Performing Arts: dance, jazz, multimedia performance, music, musical theater, opera, theater, playwriting, technology, and socially-engaged performing arts 
• Film: animation, documentary film, experimental film, and narrative film 
• Literature: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry

A diverse cohort of approximately 50 artists will be selected for the Creative Capital Award through an external review process. Our goal is to support artists and new works across a range of disciplines, themes and ideas, geographic regions, identities, ages, and career stages. See recent Creative Capital Awardees and Projects for 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Creative Capital’s transformative giving approach is built on the principle that artists need funding as well as networks and advisory services in order to realize ambitious projects and build thriving careers. Recipients of the Creative Capital Award receive access to a full range of professional development services over a five-year period. These services include strategic planning, legal and financial advising, marketing and communications strategy, peer mentorship, and industry networking opportunities.

Through the 2026 Open Call process for the Creative Capital Award, Creative Capital will also select recipients of the State of the Art Prize, a new national, two-year initiative, which aims to recognize one artist residing in each U.S. state and its territories with an unrestricted grant of $10,000 per artist. All applicants to the Creative Capital Award will be automatically considered for the State of the Art Prize and will be evaluated for the Prize using the same criteria; there is no separate application process. State of the Art Prize recipients will also have access to a suite of online professional development resources, including the Creative Capital Curriculum and Artist Labs, Artist Opportunities, and online community-building opportunities.

State of the Art Prize recipients may apply again to future open calls for the Creative Capital Award. However, artists who have already received the Creative Capital Award may not apply for the State of the Art Prize. Both the State of the Art Prize and the Creative Capital Award are one-time awards. 

Any awarded projects which are directly related to any of the 17 UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals will have the opportunity to have the “Way,” or the icon of that UN Sustainable Development goal, attached to their project on the Creative Capital website in an effort to advance the global dialogue around these critical issues impacting the future of our communities, our planet, and beyond. In keeping with the spirit of the 17 UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Creative Capital has an expansive definition of “sustainability” that goes far beyond climate change and the environmental challenges we face, including: good health and wellbeing, affordable and clean energy, reduced inequalities, life on land, and peace, justice, and strong institutions.

ROUND I: Project Proposal

Creative Capital welcomes project proposals for original, imaginative, impactful new artistic works in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Film, and Literature. Multidisciplinary, technology, and/or socially-engaged projects are welcome in every category. 

Along with a project title, one line project description (50 words max), project description (500 words max), bio, resume, and artist website (recommended), applicants will answer the following questions:

1. Creative Capital supports formally and conceptually innovative and experimental work. How does your project idea take an original and imaginative approach to content and form? (150 words / 1,000 characters max)
2. Place your work in context. What are the main influences upon your work as an artist? How does your past work inform your current project? (150 words / 1,000 character max)
3. What kind of impact do you hope your project will have, and why? What specific audiences and/or communities will the project engage? (150 words / 1,000 character max)
4. Creative Capital awards artists at catalytic moments in their careers. How is this a catalytic moment in your practice? How will your proposed project or new work act as a catalyst for your artistic and professional growth? (150 words / 1,000 character max)
5. Creative Capital provides professional development services and community-building opportunities for awardees and encourages a spirit of mutual generosity and exchange among our artists. How would this support and being part of the Creative Capital community be impactful for you? (150 words / 1,000 character max)

In addition, applicants will submit one (1) work sample from a completed, past work. 

• Visual Arts applicants will submit one Image Sample or Video Sample. 
• Performing Arts applicants will submit one Video Sample.
• Film applicants will submit one Video Sample.
• Literature applicants will submit one Writing Sample.

For more details on application questions and work sample guidelines, see the Creative Capital Application Handbook.

ROUND II: Project Details

Applicants selected by our external reviewers to advance to Round II will submit additional materials to support their application:

1. Project itemized budget
2. Project timeline (1 page)
3. Work samples (see Application Handbook for guidelines)
4. Proof of eligibility

ROUND III: Panel Review

Applicants selected by our external reviewers to advance to Round III will be asked to:

1. Confirm collaborators (if applicable)
2. Submit project updates (optional, 100 words max)

Full application guidelines are outlined in the Application Handbook.

Creative Capital invites curators, programmers, industry leaders, cultural producers, artists, and other experts in the field from across the country to serve as external reviewers. External reviewers are offered honoraria for their time and expertise. All external reviewer names are confidential until the awards are announced. Due to the high volume of submissions, Creative Capital is unable to provide feedback on individual applications.

These dates may change.

• March 3, 2025: Round I application portal opens
• April 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time: Round I application deadline
• June 2025: Notification of advancement to Round II
• September 2025: Notification of advancement to Round III: Final Panel Review
• Early 2026: Public announcement of 2026 Creative Capital Awards and State of the Art Prizes

Artist Eligibility

• US citizen, permanent legal resident, O-1 visa holder, or Tribal ID holder
• At least 25 years old by application deadline
• Working artist(s) with at least 5 years of professional artistic practice within their chosen discipline
• Applicant may not be enrolled in a degree-granting program
• May not apply to the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant program in the same year
• May not have previously received a Creative Capital Award
• May not be an applicant or collaborator on more than one proposed project per year
• State of the Art Prize recipients must be a resident of the state they are awarded in through February 1, 2026. Prize recipients must provide proof of residence in the state or territory to receive the grant. 

Projects that are not eligible

• Projects whose main purpose is promotional
• Project is to fund ongoing operations of existing business or nonprofit organization 
• Curation or documentation of existing work
• Projects that will premiere or be completed before October 1, 2026

Eligibility

• Do you fund artist-run nonprofits or businesses?

The Creative Capital Award is specifically designed to support the realization of new artist projects. Creative Capital does not fund nonprofits and artist-run businesses, nor are Creative Capital’s services well-suited to support these kinds of ventures. 

• Do you fund curatorial projects?

The Creative Capital Award does not support the production of exhibitions. Creative Capital funds new, discrete artistic projects that have one author, director, lead or a core group of collaborating artists. 

• Do you fund educational projects?

Creative Capital supports artist projects, and does not fund projects that are solely academic. While Creative Capital understands that all art is educational to some degree, if the end goal of your project is to serve a student audience, create a curriculum, or help fund programming for a community center, then the project is ineligible.

• I am looking to expand an existing project, should I apply?

Creative Capital is most interested in projects that are in the early stages of development and production, as they can benefit the most from the services that Creative Capital offers. That being said, if you still consider your project to be in development or have only shared the work in workshops or much more condensed versions, you are welcome to apply. Note that Creative Capital does not provide support to projects that are at a stage where they need finishing funds or touring support. Creative Capital asks our reviewers to specifically consider the timeline of development for a project to make sure that Creative Capital can make the most impact on the artist and the final results of their project. If you think that a significantly more evolved version of your project could take form, then the project is eligible. 

• How do you define five years of professional experience?

Creative Capital defines five years of professional experience as engaging an artistic practice in some public capacity over a cumulative five years. This could be constituted through projects, exhibitions, readings, panel conversations, screenings, interviews, etc. 

• How do you define student status?

All applicants must have finished any degree-granting educational commitments before applying. This applies to ABD (all but dissertation) status Ph.D. candidates and students in low-residency MFA programs. 

• Can I apply with multiple projects?

You may only submit one project per award cycle. Artists may not apply as a collaborator on an additional application, as all collaborators are considered awardees. 

Application Materials

• My work spans multiple disciplines. How do I pick just one?

Creative Capital invites artists to submit their proposals based on which area experts are most suited and qualified to review the project proposal, with the understanding that radical art is often by nature interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or antidisciplinary. Choosing a disciplinary category is a way to frame the discussion around your work and to indicate which experts are most qualified to evaluate the project proposal.

• How do you define the “Technology” sub-discipline category in Visual Arts and Performing Arts?

Visual Arts and Performing Arts applicants have the option of selecting “Technology” as one of their project’s three sub-disciplines if technology (including but not limited to: games, digital media, artificial intelligence, robotics, AR/VR, internet art, bio art, etc.) plays a significant role in the form of the work.

• What kind of non-monetary support does Creative Capital provide?

Creative Capital offers a range of professional development services including strategic planning, legal and financial advising, marketing and communications strategy, industry networking, awardee gatherings, and artist-to-artist connections. 

• Why do you ask about my hometown?

The hometown question lets us know if you maintain roots that are different from your present location. Creative Capital finds that many people who currently live and work in major cities still identify as coming from another place. If you were born and raised in your current city, please enter your current city.

• My application contains sensitive information. How are you going to use this information? Can I submit it another way besides through your application portal?
  

Creative Capital is only able to receive information through the application portal as this is what reviewers use to access and score submissions. Applications are only shared with select Creative Capital staff and the reviewers who will evaluate the project. You can make note of any sensitive information in the materials or in the title of your work.

Creative Capital Award

• What are the award amounts?
  

The Creative Capital Award amounts range from $15,000 up to $50,000 per project. Creative Capital grants are structured so that the artist(s) may draw down funds over a five-year period.

• How many awards will Creative Capital make in this grant cycle?

Creative Capital will award approximately 50 individual artists across a range of disciplines, demographics, and geographic locations.

State of the Art Prize

• How are State of the Art Prize recipients selected?

The State of the Art Prize recipients will be selected from the Creative Capital Award applicants, following the same guidelines and criteria. There is no separate application process. A multi-disciplinary cohort of artists will be selected for as many states and territories as Creative Capital receives applications from. They represent the strongest applications per state.

• How many artists will receive the State of the Art Prize?
  

One artist will be selected for the Prize from each state and territory that Creative Capital receives applications from.

• What is the Prize amount?

Prize recipients will receive $10,000.

• Are collaboratives eligible for the State of the Art Prize? Do all members of the collaborative have to live in the same state to be eligible?

For Collaboratives, eligibility for State of the Art Prize is based on the state of residence of the Lead Applicant.

• If I receive the State of the Art Prize, am I required to complete my proposed project?

No, this is an unrestricted artist prize of $10,000.

• Can I apply for both the Creative Capital Award and the State of the Art Prize? If so, how?
  

The State of the Art Prize recipients will be selected from the Creative Capital Award applicants. There is no separate application process.

• Is it possible to receive both a Creative Capital Award and State of the Art Prize in the same year?

No. State of the Art Prize recipients are welcome to apply for the Creative Capital Award in future grant cycles. Past recipients of the Creative Capital Award are not eligible to apply for the State of the Art Prize. Recipients of the State of the Art Prize may apply again for the Creative Capital Award, but will not receive the State of Art Prize a second time.

More questions? Email [email protected]. No phone calls please.