Since its founding in 1999, Creative Capital has been committed to defending artistic freedom of expression by nurturing risk-taking, underinvested artists creating new work. Creative Capital has a track record of identifying and funding artists at catalytic moments in their careers, including emerging, mid-career, and established artists. For its 25th Anniversary in 2025, Creative Capital will reach 1,000 Awardees in every region of the United States working in the visual arts, performing arts, film/moving image, literature, technology, and multidisciplinary and socially engaged forms. 

Renowned Creative Capital Awardees include: Jeffrey Gibson, Simone Leigh, Anicka Yi, Guadalupe Maravilla, Garrett Bradley, Laura Poitras, Cristina Ibarra, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Larissa FastHorse, Kristina Wong, Lisa Kron, Ralph Lemon, Okwui Okpokwasili, Michelle Ellsworth, Kassa Overall, Vijay Iyer, Maggie Nelson, and Percival Everett. Awardees in recent years are more than 75% artists of color, women, LGBTQIA+, and artists with disabilities.

Creative Capital awards approximately 50 artists each year to create innovative work that pushes formal, conceptual, or social boundaries. The Creative Capital Award provides individual artists with unrestricted project grants which can be drawn down over a multi-year period, as well as bespoke professional development services, and community-building opportunities. Applications are accepted via a national, open call, and awards are made via a democratic, external review process.

The 2025 Creative Capital Awards will be announced in print in The New York Times on January 26, 2025 and on our website and other channels.

The open call for the 2026 Creative Capital grant cycle will accept applications in spring 2025. Full details on the application process, grant timeline, and eligibility will be available on our website in January 2025. 

Sign up for our mailing list to receive information about the next Creative Capital open call. 

Learn more about Creative Capital Awardees.