Apply for the Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027 from the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund - a year-long programme for individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and can catalyse civic participation.

Up to eight artists will each receive $30,000 to produce work around the 2027 theme: Belonging. Applications close Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 11:59 pm PT.

Quick Facts - Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027

Detail	Information
Programme	Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027
Organisation	AAPI Civic Engagement Fund
Country	United States (cohort-based; retreat in person)
Theme	Belonging - community, home, agency, and the right for communities to flourish
Awards	Up to 8 artists
Award amount	$30,000 per fellow
Fellowship period	January - December 2027
Eligibility	Individual artists aged 18+ (organisations cannot apply)
Deadline	15 October 2026, 11:59 pm PT
Official apply	2027 Open Call - AAPI Civic Engagement Fund

What the Fellowship Supports

The Fund is looking for artist-led work that connects with AAPI communities: projects grounded in lived experience, shaped by cultural perspectives, and built to reach new audiences. Portable, reproducible work is strongly preferred.

They fund:

Visual art (printmaking, illustration, photography, modular installations)
Digital and media-based work (short-form video, audio storytelling)
Written and narrative forms (poetry, zines, narratives)
Hybrid or interdisciplinary work built for public engagement

They cannot fund: feature-length film, fully staged theatre, dance works, community events that need extended rehearsal infrastructure, or projects that depend on large-scale or fixed physical installations. If your practice is in these areas, show how it can be adapted into something concise and shareable.

Who Can Apply

Individual artists only - organisations are not eligible
Must be 18 or older
No U.S. citizenship requirement. Selected fellows submit a W-9 (U.S. citizens/resident aliens) or a W-8BEN (applicants outside the United States)
Previous Creative Catalyst Fellows may reapply three years after completing their last fellowship
Unsuccessful applicants may reapply (note the year you last applied)
You may submit more than one proposal, but only one proposal per applicant will be funded

What Fellows Receive

$30,000 to produce the proposed artwork
A year-long cohort with peer sharing and learning
Communications consultation and promotion of the finished work
Travel and accommodation covered for the required in-person retreat

Fellow Requirements

Attend a virtual orientation at the start of the programme
Attend the in-person Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat, 16 - 18 February 2027 (location to be confirmed; travel and lodging covered)
Participate in virtual check-ins throughout the fellowship
Submit a narrative report
Complete artwork by 15 August 2027

Timeline

Stage	Date
Call opens	13 August 2026
Optional info webinars	1 September 2026, 3 - 4 pm PT; 4 September 2026, 12 - 1 pm PT
Applications due	15 October 2026, 11:59 pm PT
Fellowship announcement	14 January 2027
Fellows retreat (required)	16 - 18 February 2027
Artwork completed	15 August 2027
Promotion of completed work	August - December 2027

How to Apply

Read the official 2027 open call and fellowship FAQ.
Optional: attend an information webinar on 1 or 4 September 2026 (registration is on the open-call page).
Prepare up to five work samples in a single PDF (include website or portfolio links in the PDF).
Complete the official online application form from the open-call page before 15 October 2026, 11:59 pm PT.

Questions: email the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund with the subject line “CC inquiry” (contact details are on the official site).