Poster by Lehuauakea
Drawing series by Safwat Saleem
Click here to view past projects
2025 – 2026 Creative Catalyst Fellowship
This fellowship provides opportunities for independent artists to engage the public in critical issues impacting Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the country. We consider a variety of art forms, such as music, video, visual arts, performing arts, poetry, and more.
Up to eight artists will receive $30,000 contracts to produce work with the potential to break through mainstream media and catalyze conversations around the following three themes: In it Together, Belonging, and Voting Together. Learn more about the 2023 – 2024 Fellows here.
2025 – 2026 Timeline
All dates are subject to change.
- Creative Catalyst Fellowship Application Webinar (optional): February 10 (12:00 – 1:00 pm HT / 2:00 – 3:00 pm PT / 5:00 – 6:00 pm ET) OR February 17 (9:00 – 10:00 am HT / 11:00 am – noon PT / 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET)
- Applications due: March 6, 2025 at midnight HT / 2:00 am PT / 5:00 am ET
- Eight fellows selected: Late April, 2025
- Phase 1 – Production of artwork: May 1, 2025 – September 12, 2025
- Artwork Completed: September 12, 2025
- Phase 2 – Publicity, promotion, distribution: September 15, 2025 – December 2025
- Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat: July 2025
- Narrative Report Due: January 2026
Apply to the Creative Catalyst Program Here!
Our 2025 – 2026 Themes
In it Together:
All of our fates are linked. This theme is inspired by the importance of challenging stereotypes and standing firm for all of us, not just our own. For example, we recognize that the AAPI community has experienced racism and oppression but has also benefited from racism against Black people. When we support full equality for Black people, we support everyone’s chance at equality.
Belonging:
For AAPIs, belonging is about a sense of community, home, agency, and the essential right for our communities to flourish. Belonging is a counterweight to racism and violence, and can advance a vision for the inclusion and recognition of the ways AAPI communities have shaped and contributed to this country.
Voting Together:
We lead by caring about each other and putting that care into action. This theme is inspired by the importance of advocacy, voting, and becoming engaged in the issues that impact the lives of AAPIs and all of us. How will your vote show how you are caring for your community?
2025 – 2026 Additional Offerings
- An accomplished communications consultant to place local and national news media stories about the work in connection with the work of the AAPI Fund
- Digital advertising to help promote the final products and the AAPI Fund
- Introductions to AAPI organizations that may want to use the work for charitable purposes
- Support with placement in galleries, shows, or other venues, with a priority on venues with experience in presenting art with a social justice theme to promote the work of the AAPI Fund
- Development and distribution of replicas of the final products (e.g. posters, calendars, stickers, etc.) to promote the work of the AAPI Fund
2025 – 2026 Criteria
- Individuals exhibit a high level of skill and produce art that resonates
- Has the potential to reach an audience measured in the thousands
- Has the potential to reach beyond the choir of both traditional activists and art enthusiasts
- Clearly fits one of the three themes of In It Together, Belonging, or Voting Together
- Can be accomplished within the proposed budget and timeline