Statement on Grantmaking to Artists

For 25 years, Creative Capital has remained unwavering in its commitment to fund the creation of new works by visionary artists of all backgrounds across the entire landscape of America. Founded in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to defend freedom of expression after the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) discontinued most of its grant programs for individual artists under pressure from Congress. Creative Capital’s unrestricted project grants are purposefully made through an open, national, multidisciplinary, external review process for proposals for new artistic works. 

In honor of its 25th Anniversary, and to expand our national service to artists, Creative Capital will continue to provide Creative Capital Awards to create innovative new works in all disciplines, and it has launched a new initiative, the State of the Art Prize, to recognize and support one artist in every U.S. state and territory with an unrestricted artist grant. The grant recipients are scheduled to be announced in the Spring of 2026.

Creative Capital also serves the public by providing artists with access to resources that will help them build thriving careers, including the new Creative Capital Artist Lab, an online curriculum for career development, and Artist Opportunities, a free listing of grants, residencies, and opportunities. Creative Capital Artist Lab courses are available in English, Spanish, and with ASL interpretation to maximize accessibility.

In an effort to augment its mission, Creative Capital has collaborated with other organizations who share its values of uplifting individual artists. One past project was designed to support creators, and their artistic expressions, from historically underinvested communities on a third-party platform. This past project was the target of a complaint to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in April 2025; however, the project concluded in February 2025. 

Today, Creative Capital’s mission to uplift individual artists creating new work in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Film, Literature, as well as multidisciplinary and socially engaged forms, is more urgent and relevant than ever. Creative Capital relies on the generous support of foundations, institutional funders, and individual donors to power its grassroots work of amplifying artists’ voices with grants and professional services. 

Creative Capital continues to need and welcome supporters who share the belief that individual artists are essential pillars of our democracy. Please donate today in support of artistic freedom.

Christine Kuan, President & Executive Director

Reginald M. Browne, Chair, Board of Directors