The Creative Catalyst Fellowship is the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund’s annual award for individual artists whose work engages the public on issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. For 2027, up to eight fellows each make one artist-led project on the theme Belonging.
The fellowship runs January–December 2027, with a virtual orientation, virtual check-ins and a required in-person retreat at a location still to be set. A communications partner helps promote the finished work.
Benefits & funding
- $30,000 for each of up to eight fellows.
- AAPI Fund covers travel and accommodation for the required February 16–18, 2027 retreat.
- Publicity support may include a communications consultant, digital ads, community introductions, exhibition placement and replicas such as posters or books, subject to availability.
- Artists keep ownership; AAPI Fund must be allowed to reproduce the work for its charitable activities.
Eligibility
- Individual artists aged 18 or older; organizations cannot apply.
- No U.S. citizenship requirement (FAQ).
- The FAQ says international artists are not eligible, so applicants should be based in the United States; the FAQ and the sample application also mention a W-8BEN form for selected artists outside the United States, so anyone living abroad should confirm with AAPI Fund before applying.
- Projects must be visual, digital or media-based, written or narrative, or hybrid work built for public engagement.
- Past Creative Catalyst Fellows may reapply three years after their fellowship ends.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Read the FAQ and the sample application questions, then shape one project on the theme Belonging.
- 2Gather up to five work samples related to the proposal into a single PDF.
- 3Submit the online form by October 15, 2026, 11:59 pm PT; only one proposal per applicant can be funded.
Program timeline
Application deadline
October 15, 2026 (11:59 pm PT)
Fellows announced
January 14, 2027
Fellowship period (all dates subject to change)
January–December 2027
Required in-person retreat
February 16–18, 2027
August 15, 2027
Artwork completed; promotion runs to December