AAPI Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027: Win $30,000 to Create Art That Advances Belonging and Civic Engagement

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from individual artists whose creative work engages the public on important issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

The yearlong fellowship provides up to eight selected artists with $30,000 each to create work inspired by the 2027 theme, “Belonging.” The programme is designed to give independent artists the financial resources, creative freedom, community connections, and communications support needed to develop ambitious work that can reach wider audiences and encourage meaningful civic participation.

The fellowship is more than a financial award for artistic production. Selected Fellows become part of a cohort that participates in peer learning, a required in-person retreat, virtual check-ins, and opportunities to connect their creative practice with broader conversations about social justice, community, inclusion, identity, and civic engagement.

The 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship runs from January through December 2027, with selected artwork expected to be completed by August 15, 2027.

The application deadline is Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

About the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund Creative Catalyst Fellowship

The Creative Catalyst Fellowship is an initiative of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund that recognizes the power of art to influence public conversations and encourage civic participation.

The programme supports individual artists whose work addresses significant issues facing AAPI communities and has the potential to connect with audiences beyond traditional artistic spaces.

The fellowship is based on the idea that creative work can play an important role in social change.

Art can:

• Start conversations about difficult social issues
• Help communities express their experiences
• Challenge stereotypes and misconceptions
• Encourage people to think differently
• Build connections across communities
• Make complex social issues more accessible
• Create opportunities for civic participation
• Highlight experiences that may otherwise remain unheard
• Encourage greater understanding and inclusion

Through the Creative Catalyst Fellowship, the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund seeks to provide artists with the resources and freedom to develop meaningful work while also helping that work reach broader audiences.

2027 Fellowship Theme: Belonging

The central theme for the 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship is “Belonging.”

Belonging can be understood as the feeling of being accepted, valued, connected, and able to participate fully in a community.

For the purposes of this fellowship, the theme encompasses ideas such as:

• Community
• Home
• Identity
• Agency
• Inclusion
• Safety
• Participation
• Cultural connection
• Representation
• Collective wellbeing
• The right of communities to flourish

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund describes belonging as a counterweight to racism and violence and connects it to a broader vision of inclusion that recognizes the contributions AAPI communities have made to the United States.

Artists are therefore encouraged to consider how their creative practice can explore the meaning of belonging and contribute to public conversations around this theme.

What Does “Belonging” Mean for Artists?

The theme is broad enough to accommodate different artistic disciplines and perspectives.

An artist could potentially explore questions such as:

• What does it mean to feel at home?
• How do migration and displacement influence belonging?
• How do communities preserve cultural identity?
• What happens when people experience exclusion?
• How can art challenge racism and violence?
• How do different generations understand belonging?
• How can communities create more inclusive spaces?
• What does civic participation look like within AAPI communities?
• How can creative expression strengthen connections between people?
• How have AAPI communities shaped American society?

Artists should, however, ensure that their proposed projects clearly connect with the fellowship’s published theme and broader purpose.

$30,000 Creative Catalyst Fellowship Award

One of the most significant benefits of the Creative Catalyst Fellowship is the $30,000 award provided to each selected artist.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund plans to select up to eight artists, meaning the programme could provide up to $240,000 in total fellowship awards if all eight fellowship places are filled.

The financial support gives independent artists an opportunity to devote resources and time to the development of substantial creative projects.

Rather than simply recognizing work that has already been completed, the fellowship is designed to help artists produce new work with the potential to reach broader audiences and stimulate public discussion.

What Do Fellows Receive?

Selected Fellows receive more than the $30,000 award.

The fellowship provides a combination of:

• Financial support
• Peer learning
• Creative community
• Professional development
• Communications assistance
• Publicity and promotion
• Digital advertising
• Community introductions
• Exhibition opportunities
• Potential reproduction and distribution support

These resources are intended to help Fellows move their projects from creative development to public engagement.

A Yearlong Fellowship Programme

The Creative Catalyst Fellowship is a yearlong programme running from January through December 2027.

During the fellowship period, selected artists are expected to participate in several programme activities and complete their proposed creative work.

The fellowship timeline currently includes:

• Fellowship announcement: January 14, 2027
• Fellows Retreat: February 16–18, 2027
• Artwork completion deadline: August 15, 2027
• Promotion of completed artwork: August–December 2027

The organizers note that dates are subject to change.

Required Fellowship Participation

Although the fellowship provides artists with considerable creative freedom, selected Fellows have several required responsibilities.

Fellows must:

1. Attend a virtual orientation at the beginning of the fellowship.
2. Attend the required two-day in-person Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat.
3. Participate in virtual check-ins throughout the fellowship.
4. Complete their proposed artwork by the designated deadline.
5. Submit a Narrative Report.

The programme therefore requires a meaningful commitment from selected artists.

Applicants should consider these obligations carefully before applying.

Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat

One of the central components of the programme is the Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat, scheduled for February 16–18, 2027.

Attendance is required.

The location of the 2027 retreat is still to be finalized.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund will cover travel and accommodation costs associated with the retreat.

The retreat is designed to provide Fellows with an opportunity to:

• Learn about critical issues affecting AAPI communities
• Connect with community-based organizations and initiatives
• Meet fellow Creative Catalyst artists
• Exchange ideas
• Develop relationships
• Explore connections between creative practice and social justice
• Better understand community work on the ground

The retreat is therefore not simply a networking event. It is intended to help artists situate their creative work within broader community and social justice movements.

Peer Learning and Cohort Experience

Up to eight artists will form the 2027 Creative Catalyst cohort.

Working as part of a cohort allows Fellows to exchange perspectives with artists working in different disciplines and creative traditions.

This can be particularly valuable for independent artists, who may otherwise work largely on their own.

Through peer sharing and learning, Fellows can:

• Receive feedback on their ideas
• Learn from other artists
• Develop professional relationships
• Discover new approaches to civic engagement
• Explore interdisciplinary collaboration
• Strengthen their understanding of community issues

The cohort model is an important part of the fellowship because the programme seeks to connect individual creative work with collective learning.

Communications Support

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund will provide communications support to help selected Fellows increase the visibility of their completed projects.

The programme includes access to an accomplished communications consultant who can help place local and national news stories about the Fellows’ work in connection with the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund.

This can help artists who may have strong creative work but limited experience with media outreach or public communications.

Communications support may potentially help Fellows:

• Develop media strategies
• Identify appropriate media opportunities
• Position their work for broader audiences
• Generate public interest
• Connect artistic projects with relevant conversations

Digital Advertising

The fellowship also provides potential support through digital advertising.

Digital promotion may be used to increase awareness of completed creative projects and support the broader mission of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund.

This is particularly important because the fellowship emphasizes the potential for projects to reach audiences beyond the artist’s immediate community.

Community Introductions

Selected artists may receive introductions to AAPI organizations that could potentially use their completed work for charitable purposes.

These connections can help artists develop relationships with community organizations and identify practical ways their work can contribute to civic or community engagement.

For example, a completed project may potentially be relevant to:

• Community education
• Cultural programming
• Advocacy
• Public discussions
• Awareness campaigns
• Community events
• Social justice initiatives

The actual opportunities available will depend on the nature of the artist’s work and the relevance of potential organizational partnerships.

Exhibition Placement

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund may also support Fellows in placing their work in:

• Galleries
• Exhibitions
• Shows
• Other appropriate venues

Priority will be given to venues experienced in presenting art connected to social justice themes.

This can provide an important pathway for artists seeking to move their work beyond its initial production stage and into broader public presentation.

Replica Development and Distribution

Another potential fellowship offering is replica development.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund may support the production and distribution of materials such as:

• Posters
• Books
• Calendars
• Stickers

These materials can help extend the life and reach of an artistic project.

Instead of limiting the impact of a project to a single exhibition or original artwork, reproduction can make elements of the work accessible to larger audiences and organizations.

All such support is subject to availability and relevance to the project’s needs.

Who Can Apply for the Creative Catalyst Fellowship?

The fellowship is intended for individual artists.

The programme is particularly relevant to artists whose work:

• Engages the public
• Addresses important issues facing AAPI communities
• Connects with the theme of belonging
• Has potential to reach broader audiences
• Can encourage conversation
• Can contribute to civic participation
• Fits within the broader social justice objectives of the programme

The fellowship is therefore not designed as a general arts grant for any type of creative project.

The proposed work must have a meaningful connection to the programme’s purpose.

What Types of Artists May Be Suitable?

The supplied announcement does not limit the fellowship to one particular artistic discipline.

This broad approach means artists working across different creative forms may potentially be considered, provided their work satisfies the fellowship’s eligibility requirements and addresses the programme’s goals.

Potentially relevant forms of artistic practice may include:

• Visual art
• Illustration
• Photography
• Film
• Multimedia art
• Performance
• Literary work
• Design
• Sculpture
• Installation
• Community-based creative practice
• Other forms of independent artistic expression

Applicants should not assume that a particular discipline is automatically eligible. The official FAQ should be consulted for the definitive eligibility requirements.

What Makes a Strong Creative Catalyst Fellowship Project?

A strong proposal should demonstrate a clear relationship between the artist’s creative practice, the fellowship theme, AAPI communities, and civic engagement.

Applicants should consider the following elements.

1. Clear Connection to Belonging

The proposed project should have a thoughtful and meaningful relationship with the 2027 theme.

Applicants should explain what aspect of belonging their work explores and why that subject matters.

2. Public Engagement

The fellowship is designed for work that engages the public.

Applicants should therefore explain who they hope to reach and how audiences might interact with, experience, or respond to the work.

3. Connection to AAPI Communities

The project should meaningfully engage with critical issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Applicants should avoid superficial references to AAPI communities and instead demonstrate a genuine connection between the proposed work and the communities or issues being addressed.

4. Civic Potential

The fellowship emphasizes civic participation.

Applicants should explain how their creative project could encourage:

• Dialogue
• Awareness
• Participation
• Community connection
• Reflection
• Public discussion
• Collective action

5. Potential for Broader Reach

The Fund is interested in work that can break through to broader audiences.

Applicants should therefore consider how their project could reach people beyond their immediate artistic or professional circles.

6. Artistic Quality

The proposed work should demonstrate the artist’s creative ability and a strong artistic vision.

Applicants should use their application and portfolio materials to demonstrate the quality and originality of their practice.

Fellowship Application Process

Applications for the 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship opened on August 13, 2026.

Interested artists must complete the official application form before the deadline.

The application deadline is:

Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their materials because online applications can take time to complete and technical problems can occur.

Optional Information Sessions

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund is offering optional information sessions to introduce prospective applicants to the Creative Catalyst Fellowship and application process.

The same programme will be offered twice:

Tuesday, September 1, 2026
3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Friday, September 4, 2026
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Pacific Time

These sessions can be particularly useful for applicants who want to understand the programme before preparing their applications.

Although attendance is optional, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to participate if they have questions about the fellowship or application process.

Register for the webinar here.

2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship Timeline

The fellowship follows a structured timeline from application through production and promotion.

Date	Activity
August 13, 2026	Call for submissions opens
September 1, 2026	Optional information webinar, 3:00–4:00 p.m. PT
September 4, 2026	Optional information webinar, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PT
October 15, 2026	Application deadline, 11:59 p.m. PT
January 14, 2027	Fellowship announcement
February 16–18, 2027	Required Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat
January–December 2027	Fellowship programme
August 15, 2027	Artwork completion deadline
August–December 2027	Promotion of completed artwork

The organizers indicate that dates are subject to change.

Fellowship Requirements

Selected Fellows are required to participate in several activities during the year.

Virtual Orientation

Fellows must attend a virtual orientation at the beginning of the programme.

This orientation will help participants understand the fellowship structure, expectations, cohort experience, and programme requirements.

Creative Catalyst Retreat

Attendance at the February 2027 retreat is mandatory.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund will cover travel and accommodation.

Virtual Check-Ins

Fellows will participate in virtual check-ins throughout the fellowship.

These check-ins provide opportunities to maintain communication with the cohort and fellowship organizers.

Narrative Report

Each Fellow must submit a Narrative Report.

The report provides an opportunity to document the progress and outcomes of the fellowship-supported creative work.

Completion of Artwork

The selected project must be completed by August 15, 2027, according to the current programme timeline.

Applicants should therefore propose a project that is ambitious but realistically achievable within the fellowship period.

Are Additional AAPI Fund Events Mandatory?

Fellows may be invited to participate in AAPI Civic Engagement Fund events and may be asked to showcase their artwork.

However, the announcement specifies that attendance at these additional events is optional.

This distinguishes them from the required orientation, retreat, virtual check-ins, and reporting requirements.

Previous Creative Catalyst Fellows

The Creative Catalyst Fellowship has previously supported artists developing work connected to social issues affecting AAPI communities.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund highlights previous projects such as:

“Silis” by 2025–2026 Fellow Sargylana Cherepanova

and

“Anxieties of an Immigrant Father” by 2023–2024 Fellow Safwat Saleem.

These examples demonstrate the range of creative approaches that can be supported through the fellowship.

Applicants can review the work of previous Fellows to better understand the type of creative and socially engaged work that has been supported.

However, applicants should not attempt to copy previous projects. Instead, they should focus on developing an original proposal that reflects their own creative practice and responds meaningfully to the 2027 theme of belonging.

Can Previous Creative Catalyst Fellows Apply Again?

Yes, but there is a waiting period.

Previously awarded Creative Catalyst Fellows can reapply three years after completing their previous fellowship.

Artists who have previously received the fellowship should therefore calculate their eligibility based on the date they completed their previous fellowship.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Artists can improve their applications by approaching the process strategically.

Research the Fellowship Thoroughly

Before writing the proposal, applicants should understand:

• The purpose of the Creative Catalyst Fellowship
• The 2027 theme of belonging
• The programme’s focus on AAPI communities
• The emphasis on civic engagement
• The expected fellowship commitments
• The available communications and promotional support

Develop a Specific Project

Avoid submitting an overly broad description of an artistic career.

The application should focus on a specific project that can be developed during the fellowship period.

Explain the Social Relevance

Applicants should explain why the issue matters and how the project responds to real experiences, challenges, or opportunities affecting AAPI communities.

Describe the Audience

Clearly identify the audiences the project is intended to reach.

Consider:

• Who will see the work?
• Where will they encounter it?
• How will they interact with it?
• What conversation should it generate?
• How might it encourage civic participation?

Demonstrate Feasibility

The project must be completed within the fellowship timeline.

Applicants should therefore develop a realistic production schedule.

Use a Strong Portfolio

Where portfolio materials are requested, applicants should select work that best demonstrates:

• Artistic quality
• Originality
• Technical ability
• Creative voice
• Social engagement
• Ability to complete substantial projects

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellowship is:

Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Applicants should pay close attention to the Pacific Time deadline, particularly if applying from another U.S. time zone or from outside the United States.

How to Apply

Interested artists should complete the official Creative Catalyst Fellowship Application Form provided by the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund.

Before submitting, applicants should:

1. Review the official eligibility requirements and FAQ.
2. Understand the 2027 theme, “Belonging.”
3. Develop a clear creative project proposal.
4. Explain the project’s connection to AAPI communities.
5. Demonstrate its potential for public engagement and civic participation.
6. Prepare the required application materials.
7. Review the application carefully.
8. Submit the completed application before October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund specifically advises applicants to review its Frequently Asked Questions for eligibility information before submitting an application.

What Happens After Applying?

According to the published timeline, the selected Creative Catalyst Fellows will be announced on:

January 14, 2027.

Successful applicants will then participate in the yearlong fellowship from January through December 2027.

The fellowship will progress through orientation, the required retreat, virtual check-ins, artistic production, completion of the artwork, reporting, and promotion of completed projects.

Important Dates to Remember

The most important dates for prospective applicants are:

• August 13, 2026: Applications open
• September 1, 2026: Optional information session
• September 4, 2026: Optional information session
• October 15, 2026: Application deadline
• January 14, 2027: Fellows announced
• February 16–18, 2027: Required Fellows Retreat
• August 15, 2027: Artwork completion deadline
• August–December 2027: Promotion of completed artwork
• January–December 2027: Fellowship programme

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Creative Catalyst Fellowship?

It is a yearlong fellowship programme of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund supporting individual artists whose work engages the public on critical issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and can encourage civic participation.

How much funding does each Fellow receive?

Each selected Fellow receives $30,000.

How many artists will be selected?

The programme will select up to eight artists.

What is the theme for 2027?

The theme is “Belonging.”

What does the theme of belonging focus on?

The theme explores ideas including community, home, agency, inclusion, and the ability of AAPI communities to flourish. It is also positioned as a response to racism and violence.

How long does the fellowship last?

The programme runs for one year, from January through December 2027.

Is the Fellows Retreat mandatory?

Yes. Selected Fellows must attend the February 16–18, 2027 Creative Catalyst Fellows Retreat.

Where will the retreat take place?

The 2027 retreat location has not yet been finalized.

Does the AAPI Fund pay for retreat travel?

Yes. The AAPI Civic Engagement Fund will cover travel and accommodation for the required retreat.

When must the artwork be completed?

The current deadline for completing the artwork is August 15, 2027.

Will Fellows receive publicity support?

Yes. The fellowship includes communications consultation, digital advertising, community introductions, potential exhibition placement, and replica development support, subject to availability and relevance.

Can previous Fellows apply again?

Yes. Previous Creative Catalyst Fellows can reapply three years after completing their previous fellowship.

Is the information session mandatory?

No. The September 1 and September 4 information sessions are optional, although prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are due October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Visit HERE to learn more about the AAPI Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027.

Conclusion

The AAPI Creative Catalyst Fellowship 2027 presents a significant opportunity for individual artists who want to use creative expression to engage the public around issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

With $30,000 for each of up to eight selected artists, the fellowship provides substantial financial support while also offering a broader ecosystem of peer learning, professional development, communications assistance, community connections, exhibition opportunities, and promotional support.

The 2027 theme, “Belonging,” provides artists with a powerful framework for exploring community, identity, inclusion, home, agency, racism, violence, civic participation, and the many ways AAPI communities have shaped American society.

Importantly, the fellowship is designed around more than artistic production. It seeks to connect creative work with public engagement and civic participation. Successful projects should therefore demonstrate not only artistic quality but also the potential to reach broader audiences and contribute to meaningful conversations.

Selected Fellows will participate in a yearlong programme from January through December 2027, including a required in-person retreat from February 16–18, 2027, virtual check-ins, completion of their artwork, and submission of a Narrative Report.

Artists interested in applying should carefully review the official eligibility requirements and Frequently Asked Questions, attend one of the optional information sessions if possible, and develop a clear proposal that connects their creative practice to the theme of belonging and the experiences of AAPI communities.

The application deadline is Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Prospective applicants should begin preparing early to ensure that their project concept, supporting materials, portfolio, and application clearly communicate the artistic quality, public relevance, civic potential, and feasibility of their proposed work.

Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on Opportunities for Youth (OFY) HERE.