Creative Capital 2026 Open Call & New State of the Art Prize
Application Portal Opens:
March 3, 2025
Application Deadline:
April 3, 2025, 3 PM ET
Information Session:
February 28, 2025
Held via Zoom
Creative Capital is expanding its support for artists with the launch of the State of the Art Prize, a new initiative aimed at uplifting regional and rural artists across all 50 U.S. states and territories. This announcement coincides with the opening of the 2026 Open Call for the prestigious Creative Capital Award.
Marking its 25th anniversary, Creative Capital continues to champion artists working across disciplines through its open and democratic selection process. The Creative Capital Award provides unrestricted project grants of up to $50,000, along with professional development and community-building opportunities.
The newly introduced State of the Art Prize will award $10,000 grants to one artist from each U.S. state and territory, furthering the organization’s mission to invest in grassroots creative economies and foster a vibrant cultural landscape. The initiative comes as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th year of independence in 2026.
“Creative Capital champions freedom of expression at a grassroots level across the nation,” said Christine Kuan, President and Executive Director of Creative Capital. “The State of the Art Prize will catalyze creativity and innovation, providing much-needed funding to artists working across regional communities.”
For the 2026 grant cycle, Creative Capital invites artists to submit proposals for experimental, original, and bold new works in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Film, and Literature. Multidisciplinary and socially engaged projects are also welcome. The organization is particularly interested in projects addressing urgent social issues such as fentanyl, veterans/military, and wealth inequality.
Creative Capital aims to support over 100 artists through these awards, broadening accessibility and inclusivity in its grantmaking. The organization is also fundraising $12 million to expand its programs, including the new, free online Creative Capital Curriculum, designed to benefit thousands of artists nationwide.
The application portal opens on March 3, 2025, with a submission deadline of April 3, 2025, at 3 PM ET. An informational session will be held via Zoom on February 28, 2025, for which you can register here.
For more details and application, visit Creative Capital’s website. Good luck!
Read next:
The Creative Communication Award (C2A) Is Now Open for Entries
We share works by digital artists as well as digital arts exhibitions, events, and open calls daily on Instagram — follow us for more and subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss new blog posts.
