The Bertha Artivism Awards is an annual grant program run by Bertha Foundation for activist artists, art collectives and organizations. It supports art projects that politicize, empower and mobilize communities in collaboration with social justice organizations, campaigns or movements.
Recipients develop the work in their own contexts while joining a global cohort through online convenings and check-ins. The 2027 cohort begins in January and has up to one year to complete its projects.
Benefits & funding
- Up to USD 20,000 per project, including up to USD 1,000 for documentation.
- At least three online cohort convenings during the award year.
- Opportunities to connect with other Bertha Artivists and up to three one-to-one check-ins with Bertha staff.
Eligibility
- Activist artists, art collectives and organizations working in any country may apply.
- Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English and have strong connections to the community or issue addressed by the project.
- A history of social justice work is preferred, not required.
- Projects may use any artistic medium, must identify a clear target audience and must be completed within one year.
- Project outputs must be publicly accessible without charge, although donations may be accepted.
- Projects must not involve party-political lobbying or strategies that use violence.
- Unregistered collectives and organizations may apply; Bertha Foundation suggests nominating a fiscal sponsor to countersign the grant agreement and receive the funds.
- Previous recipients may reapply three years after their original Award ends, while recipients of other Bertha Foundation funding may apply.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Complete the linked online form by 23:59 British Summer Time on 27 September 2026.
- 2Provide contact and administrative details, a portfolio link, a CV or organizational track record, a project response, rough milestone dates and a proposed budget.
- 3Submit a link to a two-to-three-minute video about the applicant, their interests and their reason for applying.
- 4If shortlisted, attend an interview in early November; final selections will be confirmed by 30 November 2026.
Program timeline
Applications close at 23:59 British Summer Time.
Sep 27, 2026
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed.
Early November 2026
Final selections are confirmed.
Nov 30, 2026
The selected cohort is publicly announced and begins its award year.
January 2027