2027 OPEN CALL
Creative Capital
DEADLINE: April 2, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
INFO: In celebration of 25 years of national artist support, the 2027 Open Call invites project proposals from individual artists for the Creative Capital Award and the new State of the Art Prize. All grants will be awarded via a national, open call, external review process.
The Creative Capital Award provides individual artists with unrestricted project grants for the creation of innovative, original, and imaginative new artistic works. The Award provides unrestricted project grants from $15,000 up to $50,000, plus professional development support, industry connections, and community-building opportunities.
The State of the Art Prize aims to recognize and support one artist from every U.S. state and inhabited territory, with an unrestricted artist grant of $10,000. Through the 2027 Open Call for the Creative Capital Award, Creative Capital will also select recipients for the new State of the Art Prize.
OVERVIEW:
Celebrating 25 years of national artist support, Creative Capital invites individual artists to apply for grants to create new works in the visual arts, performing arts (dance, theater, music/jazz), film, literature, technology, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms across all 50 states and territories. The 2027 Creative Capital Open Call will be the second year Creative Capital continues its goal to grant artists residing in all 50 states. See the complete list of 2026 Creative Capital Awards and 2026 Inaugural State of the Art Prize Artists in all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. in the press release.
Founded in 1999, our mission as a national nonprofit organization is to champion artistic freedom by providing grants and services to individual artists creating new work. The new State of the Art Prize is designed to help support more regional and rural artists, to invest in grassroots creative economies, and to foster a vibrant cultural landscape across the U.S. Both the Creative Capital Award and the State of the Art Prize support artists of all backgrounds at all career stages working across a range of disciplines, themes, and ideas.
Creative Capital Award
For the 2027 grant cycle, Creative Capital invites professional artists to propose experimental, original, bold new works in Visual Arts, Performing Arts (Dance, Theater, Music/Jazz), Film, and Literature. Multidisciplinary, technology, and/or socially engaged projects are welcome in all disciplinary categories. Creative Capital seeks new project proposals for formally and/or conceptually innovative works in all disciplines.
Creative Capital welcomes a full range of artistic approaches and thematic inquiries, including boundary-pushing formal explorations, as well as projects that engage urgent social issues of our time. Creative Capital also seeks new projects or works addressing subjects that Creative Capital has not previously funded.
The Creative Capital Award aims to support approximately 50 new artistic works in the following areas:
Visual Arts: architecture & design, craft, drawing, ecological art, illustration, installation, painting, printmaking, performance art, photography, public art, sculpture, social practice, sound art, video art, technology, and socially-engaged visual art
Performing Arts: dance, jazz, multimedia performance, music, music theater, opera, theater, playwriting, technology, and socially-engaged performing arts
Film: animation, documentary film, experimental film, and narrative film
Literature: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays (playwrights please submit under Performing Arts/Theater)
Creative Capital’s transformative giving approach is built on the principle that artists need funding as well as networks and advisory services in order to realize ambitious projects and build thriving careers. Recipients of the Creative Capital Award will receive grant funding, professional development services, and community-building opportunities. Awardees will also have access to the Creative Capital Artist Lab—suite of online professional development courses.
The State of the Art Prize – NEW!
Through the 2027 Open Call process for the Creative Capital Award, Creative Capital will also select recipients of the State of the Art Prize. Now in its second year, this new national initiative aims to recognize one artist residing in each U.S. state and inhabited territory with a $10,000 unrestricted grant per artist. All applicants to the 2027 Open Call will be automatically considered for the Creative Capital Award and the State of the Art Prize. Both grants follow the same application, external review process, and evaluation criteria; there is no separate application process. State of the Art Prize recipients will also have access to the Creative Capital Artist Lab—a suite of online professional development courses.
State of the Art Prize recipients may apply again to future open calls for the Creative Capital Award. However, artists who have already received the Creative Capital Award may not apply for the State of the Art Prize. Both the State of the Art Prize and the Creative Capital Award are one-time awards.
ELIGIBILITY:
US citizen, permanent resident, Tribal ID holder, or O-1 visa holder at time of application
At least 25 years old at time of application
Working artist(s) with at least 5 years of professional artistic practice within their chosen discipline
Applicant may not be enrolled in a degree-granting program at time of application
May not apply to the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant program in the same year
May not have previously received a Creative Capital Award
May not be an applicant or collaborator on more than one proposed project per year
State of the Art Prize recipients must be a resident of the state they are awarded in through February 1, 2027. Prize recipients must verify their state or territory of residence in order to receive the grant.
Projects that are not eligible
Projects whose main purpose is promotional
Project is to fund ongoing operations of existing business or nonprofit organization
Curation or documentation of existing work
Journalism projects and podcasts
Educational projects intended for a student audience
Children’s and young adult literature, and graphic novels
Projects that will premiere or be completed before July 1, 2027
creative-capital.org/creative-capital-award/award-application
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ‘QUEER MYTHOLOGIES’
Foglifter
DEADLINE: April 15, 2026
INFO: As Foglifter revitalizes our website and digital production, we are interested in creating and holding space for works that may not fit within the constraints of our print edition. We are now accepting submissions for our new Online Exclusive Issue dedicated to showcasing queer voices across a wide spectrum of creative forms.
As always, we are seeking art that aligns with our mission of promoting queer, transgressive, and original work. The themes will change from issue to issue. For 1.2, our theme is Queer Mythologies: a celebration of spirituality, folklore, and queer cosmologies. This open call seeks dreamlike, symbolic, and otherworldly explorations that reimagine mythology through a queer lens—queering gods and monsters, rewriting origin stories, and uncovering hidden lineages of desire, transformation, and devotion.
We welcome interpretations of tarot, astrology, ritual, and divination that challenge binaries and expand spiritual narratives beyond the normative, embracing fluidity, mysticism, and personal myth-making. Submissions may be visual, textual, or hybrid, and should evoke a sense of the uncanny, the sacred, and the speculative—worlds where queerness is ancestral, cosmic, and divine.
Pieces must be original, unpublished work in genres including, but not limited to: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, comics, visual art, scripts, and multimedia (video, audio, music, interactive pieces, experimental work, etc.) that align with the current issue’s theme.
This online exclusive issue will be published as a summer issue on our website. We’re especially interested in pieces that experiment with form, push boundaries, and reflect the complexity, joy, rage, beauty, and multiplicity of the queer experience.
WHY ONLINE EXCLUSIVE?
Our print publication has limits—page counts, dimensions, ink. This digital issue is a space without borders. We want to uplift work that can’t—or won’t—fit in print: multimedia projects, audio pieces, visual art, and performance pieces that demand to be seen and heard in digital space.
General Submission Guidelines:
We accept only first rights to publication.
We do accept simultaneous submissions, however please withdraw pieces that have been accepted elsewhere.
Please include a short bio, description of your work, any past publications, and applicable trigger warnings in your cover letter.
Visual and [multi]media work must be web-viewable—please include links or uploads through Submittable and include content warnings if applicable
Genre Specific Guidelines
Please submit up to 5 pieces
For video and audio submissions, please limit to 5 minutes
We accept art created via all mediums (except AI — if a submission is suspected or found to be AI generated, it will be declined and we will not consider your work in the future). This includes, but is not limited to, photography, painting, digital, ink, pencil, collage, etc.
Acceptable file types: .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .png, .svg, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, .rtf, .odt, .mp3, .m4a, .wav, .mp4, .mov, .avi, .mpg, .3gp, .wmv
All applicable artworks submitted will be considered for cover art for the online exclusive issue
We love experimental work, feel free to submit hybrid forms that blend genres
For grant purposes, we cannot consider submissions that do not include a completed demographic survey with their submission
Foglifter aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ literary community in our award-winning journal. Fill out our anonymized Demographics Survey to be considered for publication—then take a screenshot of the thank-you screen at the end and attach it along with your submission.
foglifter.submittable.com/submit
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Sun and Zhang Family Distinguished Fellowship for AAPI Social Practice Artists of the American South
Hambidge Center
DEADLINE: April 15, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $30 (If this represents a barrier to submitting an application, please contact our Office Manager at office@hambidge.org to discuss a waiver. The DEADLINE to request a fee waiver is four days before the application deadline.)
INFO: The Hambidge Center is pleased to announce the new Sun and Zhang Family Distinguished Fellowship for AAPI Social Practice Artists of the American South.
This merit-based award supports an Asian American Pacific Islander social practice artist working in the South or deeply rooted in the region, recognizing work that blends creative practice with meaningful community engagement. The selected Fellow will receive a two-week residency and a $700 stipend during the fall 2026 session.
RESIDENCY DATES: Fall (September - December)
ABOUT THE HAMBIDGE CENTER:
The Hambidge Center is situated on 600 forested acres in the mountains of north Georgia and offers miles of nature trails, meadows, waterfalls, a swimming hole and an abundance of wildflowers.
The oldest residency program in the Southeast, Hambidge provides a self-directed program that honors the creative process and trusts individuals to know what they need to cultivate their talent, whether it’s to work and produce, to think, to experiment or to rejuvenate. Residents’ time is their own; there are no workshops, critiques, nor required activities.
Each resident is given their own private studio which provides work and living space with a bathroom and full kitchen. The studios are designed to protect residents’ time, space and solitude.
Resident groups are intentionally kept small enough (8-10 people) to gather around the dinner table each evening, Tuesday through Friday, for delicious vegetarian meals prepared by our chef. These communal meals are an essential part of the Hambidge residency experience. Serious topics are discussed (and light-hearted ones, too), experiences are shared, and encouragement is given. Many a collaboration and life-long friendship have begun at the Hambidge dinner table.
Members of each resident group come from different walks of life and work in different creative disciplines; from musicians, culinary artisans and scientists, to visual artists, writers, dancers and arts & culture administrators. Each year, residents of all ages come to Hambidge from over 30 states across the U.S., as well as internationally.
Specialized equipment and facilities include the Antinori Pottery Studio, and a beautifully rebuilt turn-of-the-century Steinway grand piano housed in Garden Studio.
ACCESSIBILITY: Hambidge offers two ADA-compliant studios: Brena Studio and Cove Studio. Our dining and common areas can be navigated, but are not yet fully compliant. There are no sidewalks or paved areas; the connecting driveways are gravel and uneven. If you come to Hambidge without a car, the on-campus studios will require a walk to get to Lucinda’s Rock House. On average, the studios are 0.3 miles from the Rock House with a 157-elevation gain, walking on a gravel road with uneven terrain. For more information, please contact our Office Manager at 706-746-7324.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLY:
The studios are comfortable, but rustic and secluded. They are purposely simple, and most are out of sight of each other and somewhat isolated.
We are located in a forested environment. Residents should expect to occasionally encounter wildlife and insects – and sometimes the insects are inside the studios.
It is very dark at night. There are no street lights or ambient light, other than the moon and stars.
Due to our remote location, there is no cell service at Hambidge. Each studio has a phone for emergency, local and incoming calls.
To encourage focused creativity, there is no internet in the studios. WiFi is available 24 hours a day in the communal space of Lucinda's Rock House.
Please thoroughly read the Guidelines, Application Instructions, and our FAQs before submitting your application.
ELIGIBILITY: Qualified applicants must feel they have achieved a level of excellence within their discipline. We are looking for applicants whose creative practice is a professional practice and not a hobby. It is not required that your creative career is your only career, or that you make your livelihood doing it. We seek applications from emerging and mid-career creatives, as well as from those who are established with national and/or international reputations.
Applications for residency are judged primarily on the quality of submitted work samples and professional promise. Hambidge accepts approximately 170 artists each year. There are no publication, exhibition, or performance requirements contingent on a Hambidge residency.
The Hambidge Center encourages creative professionals of all backgrounds to apply for admission. We celebrate varied ideas, world views, and personal characteristics, and are committed to being an organization that welcomes and respects everyone regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status.
RETURNING FELLOWS: Returning Fellows must submit a new application with recent work samples in the appropriate category of their discipline. After attending a Hambidge residency, Fellows must wait 2 years before returning. For instance, if you were in residence during the 2022 Summer Session, you may apply to return for the 2024 Summer Session.
RESIDENCY FEE:
The residency fee is $300 per week.
Note: the actual cost of a residency is $2250/wk. Every year, the Hambidge Center raises funds to supplement $1950 for every residency week, leaving each resident with only the $300/wk fee.
Funding
Hambidge offers several merit-based Distinguished Fellowships which remove the fees for a two-week residency and provide a $700 stipend. Available Distinguished Fellowships vary from session to session and are listed in each session's application. Unless otherwise noted, they are reserved for first-time residents. The list of previously awarded Distinguished Fellowships can be seen here.
Financial Aid
Hambidge offers limited financial aid scholarships to accepted residents. The average award amount is $250, with a maximum award of $500. In an average year, aid is awarded to 35% of those who requst it; resulting in 8% of all residents receiving some financial aid.
Upon acceptance to the program, applicants requesting financial aid will have five days to complete the required forms and may be asked to submit last year's tax return or other confirmation. International applicants will be asked to complete a questionnaire instead of providing a tax return.
ADMISSION PANELS: Applications in each discipline are reviewed by panels of three esteemed peers within that discipline. Panel membership is rotated frequently.
LENGTH OF STAY: Applicants may request stays between two weeks and eight weeks. Residents arrive on Tuesday and depart on Sunday. Residencies of one week are available to Arts & Culture Administrator applicants and Culinary applicants ONLY. Eight-week residencies will only be scheduled in the Fall and Spring Sessions. The maximum length of residencies awarded in Summer Session is four weeks. Because of differing lengths of individual stays, residents will arrive and depart on varying schedules.
CREATIVE DISCILPLINES:
Hambidge accepts applications in the following disciplines:
ARTS & CULTURE ADMINISTRATION - including proposals for professional projects and/or personal creative projects by administrators working for arts, culture or environmental organizations, or independently (a freelance curator, for example). It is not a requirement that the organization be a non-profit, however it must be an organization that works with or assists other people or produces public projects.
CERAMICS - including functional and sculptural
CULINARY ARTS - including recipe development, cookbook writing, food writing, food styling, food photography, and food preservation
DANCE - including choreography, performance, and theory
MUSIC - including composition, performance, vocal, and theory, in all genres of music
SCIENCE - this residency offers scientists in any branch of science a place to write and/or organize research
VISUAL ARTS - including book arts, conceptual art, design, drawing, environmental art, fiber arts, film & video, installation arts, metalworking, mixed media, multimedia art, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and woodworking
Note: We do not have darkroom, sculpture/woodworking, or printmaking facilities, but provide exploration space for artists working in those disciplines. Those working in wood or metal must bring their own tools and machinery.
WRITING - including academic scholarship, criticism, fiction, history, poetry, journalism, nonfiction, philosophy, playwriting, screenwriting, storytelling
Multidisciplinary
If your proposal combines PROFESSIONAL expertise in more than one discipline, you will be asked to indicate the other discipline(s) that should be considered in the JUDGING of your proposal. Make sure your proficiency in each discipline is demonstrated in your submitted work samples. Expert jurors from all the indicated disciplines will be asked to judge your submission at an expert level.
Examples: a journalist creating both written and photographic content; a graphic novelist; a ceramicist writing a guide to glazes. NOT, for example, a visual artist exploring scientific themes in their work.
NOTE: Don't weaken your application by including secondary, less expert work samples. If, for example, you are a dancer who intends to dance during your residency, but also enjoys painting, you may dance and paint if you're accepted at Hambidge without saying you are Multidisciplinary and without including paintings in your work samples.
REFERENCES: Hambidge no longer requires letters of recommendation as part of the application materials.
COLLABORATIONS: Collaborative couples and groups must submit the Slideroom application specific to Collaborations. EACH MEMBER of the collaboration must ALSO complete this form before the deadline in order for your application to be complete.
COUPLES: Non-collaborating couples who wish to be in residence together must submit individual applications. They may request concurrent residency dates and choose whether or not to share studio/living space. The acceptance of one partner does NOT guarantee the acceptance of the other. No other provisions are made for partners.
CHILDREN: Hambidge has hosted several residents accompanied by their children. We are still developing our parental program, but we are quite willing to work with applicants to find the best timing and to recommend part-time childcare for their stay. Before you submit an application, read more about our Parental Residencies.
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2026 TPS Dreamers Internship Program
Tyler Perry Studios | 📍Atlanta, GA
DEADLINE: April 17, 2026
INFO: TPS DREAMERS is a paid program where you can receive college credit for your experience. Participants will gain work experience as well as meet professionals who are available as excellent contacts and mentors. You will be able to apply classroom and textbook knowledge to real life atmospheres.
Tyler Perry Studios is committed to providing a solid learning foundation for TPS DREAMERS. This program allows participants to receive first-hand knowledge of the rewards and challenges of working for a multi-faceted entertainment company.
Participants will learn about TPS’s long and short-term goals and objectives, as well as gain an introductory experience into both the corporate and television production arenas.
QUICK FACTS:
Program Length: 7 weeks (Mid-June through early August)
Application Launch: March 20th
Application Deadline: April 17th, 11:59PM EST
Location: Tyler Perry Studios (Atlanta, GA)
Time Commitment: At least 40 hrs/week for 7 weeks
Curriculum: Participants will rotate between roles in Production, Studio Operations, Accounting, Development, Post Production, Social/Digital Media, IT, Art/Graphic Design, Legal, Wardrobe… and more.
College Credit: Available with proper documentation
Field Trip: 1 per program
Fireside Chats: Every Friday with TPS Guest Speaker
Compensation: $18/hour
TIMELINE:
Week 1
Welcome/HR Orientation (Policies, Procedures, Start Paperwork, Safety, Sexual Harassment)
Studio Tour
Department Assignments
TPS DREAMERS will shadow the assistants in each department while learning processes.
Week 2-6
TPS DREAMERS will continue shadowing the assistants in each department while learning processes.
EOW - Status Report (Discuss Improvements/ Strengths/ Weakness/ Ways We can Support).
Week 7
TPS DREAMERS will continue shadowing the assistants in each department while learning processes.
Will put together the "End of Program Project".
dreamers.tylerperrystudios.com/program-details/
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2027 Writers-in-residence program
Hedgebrook
DEADLINE: April 17, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $45
INFO: Hedgebrook’s Writer-in-Residence Program supports women-identified writers,18 and older, from all over the world for residencies of two or three weeks. The cottage, all meals, and the entire residency experience at Hedgebrook are free to selected writers. Travel is not included and is the responsibility of the writer to arrange and pay for. Up to 6 writers can be in residence at a time, each housed in their own handcrafted cottage. Days are spent in solitude – writing, reading, taking walks in the woods on the property or on nearby Double Bluff beach. In the evenings, “The Gathering” is a social time for residents to connect and share over their freshly prepared meals.
GENRES:
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting/TV
hedgebrook.org/writers-in-residence
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2026-2027 Baldwin Fellowship Program
Baldwin for the Arts
DEADLINE: April 18, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $15
INFO: The mission of Baldwin For The Arts is to support the creation of art reflecting the lived experiences of African, Asian, Caribbean, Indigenous, Hispanic/ Latino/a/x, and dual-heritage backgrounds at no cost to the artists.
Exclusively devoted to people of the Global Majority, Baldwin For The Arts is committed to cultivating creative liberation for literary, visual, performing, and interdisciplinary artists. Baldwin Fellowships cover all residency costs for accepted artists including transportation, living accommodations, a private workspace, and daily meals prepared by a local chef.
The term “Global Majority” is a positive (re)framing of diverse and historically marginalized communities. Rather than view people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latino/a/x, and dual-heritage backgrounds as minorities, the term recognizes that ‘Globally’ these populations are the Majority.
At this time, we are not accepting international applications. We encourage you to frequent our Instagram account and subscribe to our website to receive newsletters and stay informed about future updates and opportunities.
Emerging and established artists of the Global Majority who specialize in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
Literature: All genres.
Performance: All disciplines which are performed in front of a live audience, including theater, music composition, and dance.
Visual: All art forms that use paint, canvas or various materials to create physical or static art objects including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, and filmmaking (includes documentary, narrative, and experimental projects).
Interdisciplinary: All projects that use multiple disciplines, such as science, technology, literature, philosophy, to create new and unique artistic experiences.
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Request For Proposals: The Building Bridges Documentary Fund
Center for Asian American Media x Doris Duke Foundation
DEADLINE: April 26, 2026 at 11:59pm PT
INFO: The Building Bridges Documentary Fund is for independent documentary films about the Muslim experience in the United States. The Fund’s goal is to support non-fiction U.S. Muslim short and feature documentaries and series that contribute to a fuller spectrum of unseen narratives about the vast U.S.-Muslim population.
Consider the diversity of the U.S Muslim population. According to the Pew Research Center in 2023-2024 Muslims in the United States identified as:
30% White and/or Asian
20% Black
11% Hispanic
8% Other or Multiracial
21% of Muslims are born in the U.S. or have at least one parent born in the U.S.
33% of U.S. Muslims live in the South, followed by Northeast (29%), Midwest (20%), West (18%).
The Building Bridges Documentary Fund is supported by the Building Bridges Program of the Doris Duke Foundation. CAAM is honored to be a part of this multi-year journey with our colleagues in the Program: the Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Hollywood Bureau, and the Sundance Institute.
CAAM is also collaborating with the independent filmmaking community to provide support for workshops on various aspects of sustainable filmmaking practices.
We encourage filmmakers at all levels–emerging, mid-career or veteran–to apply with projects that are feature-length, shorts, or episodic series. Awards will range between $10,000 to $100,000.
The Building Bridges Documentary Fund will support the following project phases with the stated range of possible funding :
Research & Development ($10K to $25K)
Production ($50K to $100K)
Post-production ($50K to $100K)
For further assistance regarding the application process including any accessibility issues, reach out to buildingbridges[at]caamedia[dot]org (buildingbridges@caamedia.org) with any questions about your project’s eligibility.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Project must be about the U.S. Muslim experience. Meaning: The project is anchored by illuminating a U.S. Muslim story, community protagonist(s) etc. Note: There is no percentage of footage requirement that must be filmed in the U.S., but if your project is filmed predominantly overseas you must explain in your story summary why and how the international elements widen the aperture of the U.S.-Muslim point-of-view.
Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
Applicants must be 18 years of age, be citizens or legal residents of the United States or its territories.
All projects in the post-production phase or further must have a full-length rough or fine cut to be considered.
All projects in production phase must include a maximum 15-minute sample of the project that is being submitted
All projects in R&D must at minimum include a visual deck if you do not yet have a 15 minute visual sample made.
If this is your first media project, you must provide a video sample that demonstrates your ability to tell a story well through a visual medium.
In some cases, CAAM may require a Fiscal Sponsor, which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt entity. Your sponsor would agree to accept funds from CAAM on your behalf and is responsible for redistributing funds to the project accordingly.
Only one proposal per applicant will be accepted.
Projects NOT eligible (See our Q&A page for further information):
Projects that do not center the U.S. Muslim experience, story, community and/or protagonist(s).
Your project already has distribution and/or has been accepted into a festival.
Thesis projects or student films which are co- or solely-owned or copy-written, or otherwise editorially or fiscally controlled by the school.
Projects or production entities which are foreign-based, owned or controlled.
Industrial or promotional projects.
Projects previously awarded $100,000. Building Bridges caps funding for a single project at $100,000. If you have previously applied to the fund- you are only eligible for the difference. You are not eligible to apply again if the film was previously awarded $100,000.
Our funding process will use the following guidelines in awarding funds:
Does this project focus on the experience of U.S. Muslims? Is the story idea compelling, engaging, original and well-conceived?
Is the visual/ stylistic treatment effective and distinctive?
Can the project be completed within a realistic timeline based on the applicant’s production and fundraising plans, personnel and budget?
Will the project appeal not only to U.S. Muslim viewers, but also to a broader audience?
Does the sample demonstrate the skills and/ or potential of the applicant to complete the proposed project?
What is the team’s connection to the film project and protagonists?
Why is the team best suited to tell this story and produce this project?
caamedia.submittable.com/submit
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(Egg)celerator Lab
Chick & Egg Films
DEADLINES / FEES:
Early-bird: April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET / $20
Final: April 29, 2026 at 11:59pm ET / $35
INFO: Founded in 2016, this program supports nonfiction filmmakers or filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature-length documentary.
In this year-long program, 9 filmmakers will receive:
$40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
Mentorship with Chicken & Egg Films team members
Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
Travel stipend for director and producer upon acceptance to a forum or market during program year
Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
Peer support from their cohort
(Egg)celerator Lab is generously supported by the New York Community Trust, and through general operating support from our wonderful community of donors and grantmakers.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:
Filmmakers must meet the following criteria:
Must identify as a woman (cis or trans) or gender-expansive director.
Our working definition of gender-expansive is that it is an umbrella term that includes any person whose gender identity or gender expression does not comply with the socially defined gender norms and roles of their culture. This includes, but is not limited to, non-binary, trans, third gender/two-spirit, and agender individuals). Please refer to our gender expansion page for more information.
Be directing their first or second feature-length (48 minutes or longer) documentary film (hybrid docs are eligible). See the FAQ for Chicken & Egg’s definitions of first-time and second-time directors.
Be based anywhere in the world (except for countries/regions which are under comprehensive US sanctions. Further information about US sanctions can be found here).
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY:
Projects must meet the following criteria:
Must be a documentary or nonfiction film - hybrid documentaries are eligible. VR, interactive, branded content, or fiction films are not eligible.
Our evolving definition of a hybrid documentary is a film that incorporates fictional or scripted elements as a formal device in which it is clear to the viewer which elements are fiction and which are not. The incorporation of fictionalized elements is used as a way to further explore the main themes of the film or even question the nature of ‘fact’ and ‘reality’. Externally the finished film should be intended to be programmed and characterized in the press as documentary or hybrid documentary film, and not as a narrative/fiction film. We do not consider narrative memoir, speculative fiction, or docudramas (dramas that are based on a true story) as hybrid documentaries.
Must be intended as a feature-length (48 minutes or longer) film. Short / medium-length films or series are not eligible.
Must be in early to mid-production at the time of applying. We recommend that you have between 10-60% of your anticipated footage shot by the date of application.
Must be independently produced. Works-for-hire are not eligible, and student films produced in an undergraduate or graduate program are also not eligible.
You do not need a fiscal sponsor to apply for the (Egg)celerator Lab. However, if you are selected for the Lab, you must secure a US fiscal sponsor, or be a 501(c)(3), to receive the funds. If granted, we can help advise on finding a fiscal sponsor. We require prompt response upon communication of results. If granted, there is a 12-week period following notification in which you must secure a fiscal sponsor, and the grant must be disbursed within 2027.
For more information on eligibility, please download this Program & Application Guide and review the FAQs.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Priority will be given to films committed to creating social change and/or uplifting underrepresented stories that challenge mainstream narratives. We support a broad range of issues from the personal to the political that explore a variety of artistic approaches, such as personal, experimental, animated, essayistic, archival, and beyond.
Subject Matter and Positionality: The project explores compelling and clear subject matters, themes, and questions, with an awareness of their relevance to our current moment. The story and/or approach aligns with Chicken & Egg Films’ mission and challenges mainstream narratives, conversations, or perceptions. The director demonstrates critical thinking and reflects on their own perspective and biases regarding the subject matter and approach.
Story and Concept: The film features a clear and compelling narrative trajectory or concept, including character arcs where applicable. The director acknowledges the elements that remain unknown and outlines how they will address these gaps. They express a vision for weaving together various elements and arcs into a cohesive and engaging feature.
Artistic Approach: The project shows a distinct and compelling creative vision which conveys a confident directorial voice. The work sample reflects the intended story, style, subject matter, and other project elements. The sample evokes an emotional response and conveys a tone that enhances the storytelling, demonstrating strong use of visuals, sound, music, pacing, and editing.
Feasibility: The application outlines realistic and appropriate activities and a timeline that aligns with the film’s concept and artistic vision. It includes a carefully considered fundraising plan, and the budget is appropriate, reflecting the needs of the proposed activities and timeline.
Access and Accountability: The director articulates their access and connection to the story, its participants, and the community involved. They welcome and integrate community feedback and thoughtfully implement processes for accountability that consider physical, mental, cultural safety and beyond. Furthermore, the director reflects on the potential impacts and consequences of the filmmaking process on participants, audiences, crew, and other stakeholders during and after filming.
WORK SAMPLES:
Current Work Sample
The current work sample should meet the following criteria:
Length: Should be 7-20 minutes of material from the project with which you are applying. We encourage you to not spend extra resources creating a brand new sample for this application if you already have one you have used to apply to other grants/programs. If your current sample is longer than the maximum length of 20 minutes, you can provide timecodes for the portion of the sample you would like reviewers to watch and that best reflects your intended style and approach.
Content: Can consist of a combination of the following:
2–3 scene selects/excerpts
character strands
trailer/teaser/sizzle reel
Note: A trailer alone is neither eligible nor competitive: the sample must contains scenes/character strand, as the work sample is used to evaluate your ability to construct the story.
Scenes/excerpts do not need to be in chronological order, so put your strongest material first and separate scenes with title cards. Reviewers are required to watch up to the first 10 minutes in the first round. Work samples will be viewed in full in subsequent rounds.
Prior Work Sample
The purpose of a prior work sample is to give us a sense of the director’s visual style, storytelling ability, ambition, and follow-through. We encourage you to prioritize submitting documentary/nonfiction as prior work.
First-time feature directors:
Prior work sample is optional
Prior work sample can be of any length or genre, but should be something that you have directed or co-directed
Do not include commercial work or PSAs as prior work
Second-time feature directors:
Must submit the first feature-length documentary film that you directed or co-directed as your prior work
You can optionally submit 2 additional prior works (of any length or genre) that you have directed or co-directed (this includes student films)
Co-directing teams (first-time/second-time director + more experienced director):
The prior work sample submitted should be work from the woman or gender-expansive director who is directing their first or second feature documentary.
APPLICATION
The majority of the questions are based on the Nonfiction Core Application 3.1, with a few additional questions included.
Click here to watch the recording of our the informational webinar and Q&A session we hosted on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
To begin an application:
Review application guide and checklist: 2027 (Egg)celerator Lab Program & Application Guide
Create new or log in to existing SurveyMonkey Apply Account: https://chickeneggfilms.smapply.us/
Confirm Eligibility: After you click-into the (Egg)celerator Lab program, click on the ‘Apply’ button. The first step of the application process is an eligibility check. Complete the questionnaire to confirm you meet all requirements to apply. If you are eligible, you will be able to move forward with filling out the rest of the application. You will receive an email notifying you if you are ineligible.
Submit application: Fill out and submit your application via the platform either by the early-bird deadline (April 1, 11:59pm EDT), or by the regular deadline of Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason. You must submit your application via the platform by the deadline, otherwise you must wait until the next open call in a year.
Accessibility Request: If you require technical assistance to navigate the application platform due to a disability, please contact egglab_opencall@chickeneggfilms.org. We kindly ask that you make your request for assistance as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday, April 22, 2026 to allow adequate time for staff to support you before the deadline.
chickeneggfilms.org/programs/egg-celerator-lab
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emerging filmmakers grant
Pentimenti
DEADLINE: April 30, 2026
INFO: Pentimenti is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Pentimenti Grant for Emerging Filmmakers. This grant endeavors to support work by up-and-coming women, non-binary, and/or LGBTQ+ filmmakers. In keeping with Pentimenti’s mission, the project must pertain to art or artists in some way, although they needn’t necessarily be a documentary. Last cycle, Pentimenti awarded four grants to filmmakers Niya Leigh, Maya Horton, Alexandra Antoine, and Amber Nolan.
The recipient of the Emerging Filmmakers Grant will receive $2000 to spend on their film project, consultations with Pentimenti staff, and a spotlight feature on Pentimenti’s communication channels. The grant will be awarded by an appointed jury. Please find more information about grant specifics, eligibility requirements, and other details on the official grant application page.
GRANT SPECIFICS:
The awardee of the Pentimenti Emerging Filmmakers Grant will receive:
$2,000 to use toward a film or video project. Please note: funds must be spent on the production of the project itself, as opposed to non-production costs like marketing or promotion. Funds will be distributed in full at the beginning of the grant term.
Three creative consultations with Pentimenti staff over the duration of the grant term. The grantee will maintain complete control over their project.
One feedback session with the Pentimenti Emerging Filmmakers Grant jury members.
A spotlight feature on each of Pentimenti’s communication channels, including website, newsletter, and social media.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be 18+. Students are welcome to apply.
Applicant must reside in the U.S., or attend college or university here.
Applicant must be a woman, non-binary, and/or LGBTQ+ filmmaker.
Project must be a film or video that focuses on art or artists.
Project can be documentary, fiction, hybrid, or experimental.
Project can be collaborative, but applicant must serve as the director.
There is no maximum or minimum project length, although preference will be given to films that seem feasible and realistic in scope.
The grant is intended for emerging, up-and-coming filmmakers, meaning applicants should have a background in and prior experience with filmmaking, but should not have extensive filmmaking accomplishments, such as multiple feature film projects completed in a principal role, significant partnerships with producers and distributors, multiple major film festival appearances or awards/accolades, broad exhibition or distribution, and significant critical or commercial success.
GRANT TERM: The term of the grant is intended to span one year. At the end of the grant term, the grantee is expected to screen their project for Pentimenti staff, although the project does not have to be completed. The grantee will also be responsible for producing a short report describing how they used the grant funds, including any and all pertinent receipts.
pentimentiproductions.org/grant
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Martha MOCA ARTIST Residency
MarthaMOCA |📍Lambertville, NJ
DEADLINE: April 30, 2026
INFO: MarthaMOCA provides one-month residencies for artists of all disciplines. Residents are given use of a fully furnished private live/work space- with a studio, bathroom, & kitchen on the ground floor and a lofted bedroom and living space above. The residency comes with a $500 stipend. Residents are free to enjoy our 40 acre property; with walking paths through the woods, a tranquil pond, lap pool when in season, and garden. Because we are in a rural setting, it is preferable for residents to bring a vehicle.
There are no requirements to create or produce work while in residence; we encourage artists to use their time as best suits their own process. The towns of Lambertville, New Hope, and Frenchtown are nearby and supply necessary amenities. The closest train station is Hamilton Station via NJ Transit, and the closest airports are Newark and Philadelphia. NYC is a 1.5 hour drive away, and Philadelphia is 45 min.
Application submissions will be accepted for September and October 2026 residencies from April 1-30th 2026. We typically make a decision by mid May. All applicants will be emailed a response then.
docs.google.com/forms/d/13Di_jeh4ddjHW4obfY7knjoWMdUJNbkYg9IuyMJSkh0/viewform?edit_requested=true
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WRITERS MENTORING PROGRAM
Paramount |📍Los Angeles, CA
DEADLINE: May 1, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
INFO: Paramount's Writers Mentoring Program offers an eight-month opportunity for writers. It focuses on building relationships, improving writing skills, and developing essential interpersonal and industry "soft skills."
Participants in the program will work with executive mentors from Paramount to create a new writing sample. Weekly workshop-style meetings will be held for 16 weeks, featuring showrunners and industry professionals such as agents, managers, and executives. Mentees will also have the opportunity to participate in a half-day mock writers room experience in a supportive setting.
MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Each participant will have help in creating a rigorous career action plan and there will be on-going support in evaluating and achieving those goals. Another important benefit of the program is the development of a close-knit peer support group that will sustain participants through the program and beyond, as well as a supportive and vibrant alumni community.
It has been found that in order to derive the greatest benefit from the program, participants should be available to:
attend a once a week (evening) workshop
attend a half day mock writers room and
have ongoing interaction with their mentors via zoom, phone, in-person, or email. Program is designed so that participants can continue with their existing work commitments.
PLEASE NOTE: The Paramount Writers Mentoring Program is not employment and there is no monetary compensation. It is, instead, a structured program of career development, support, and personal access to executives and the decision-making processes, with the goal of preparing aspiring writers for later employment opportunities in television. Aspiring writers with a strong desire to write for Paramount television series are encouraged to apply. You must be 21 or older and able to work in the United States to be eligible.
TIMELINE: Any submissions received before April 1st or after May 1st, 2026 will not be considered. No hand delivered submissions will be accepted. Finalists will be notified in late Fall (or such later date as may be determined by Paramount). The program is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and continues through April 2027. Paramount reserves the right to adjust the program schedule as necessary.
FAQs:
What writing samples are appropriate for submission?
Two writing samples are required. The original work can be an original pilot, a one act stage play or a short fiction story. Short film scripts will not be accepted. We request that your original sample be similar in tone to the spec sample. The short fiction piece should be approximately 3,000 words. Spec scripts should be a half hour or hour episode based on a primetime drama or comedy series which aired or was released, during the 2024 - 2026 seasons and was broadcast on a network, cable or streamer.
I don’t work or live in the United States, am I eligible to apply to this Program?
Yes, however, Paramount does not provide any travel or accommodation reimbursement. You must also have a work visa.
Where is the program being held?
The program is held in person in Los Angeles, and all participants will need to be close to Los Angeles for the duration of the program (January 2027 to the end of April 2027) in order to participate in program activities. As stated above, participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
What is the duration of the program and the required time commitment?
The program is expected to run approximately eight months, beginning in October. Program hours and activities will vary, but regular meetings with mentors and fellow program members are an intrinsic part of the program and may require a time commitment of up to twenty hours a month.
How many participants will be chosen?
In order to enhance the Program experience there will be up to 4 participants selected each year.
How are the matches made between the program participants and mentors?
Matches are made based on career interests and mentor availability. Finalists will meet with two potential mentors.
How long should my letter of interest be?
One page double spaced, no smaller than 12 point font.
paramount.com/writers-mentoring-program
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Fred Rogers Productions Writers' Neighborhood
DEADLINE: May 2, 2026 at 12:00am PT
INFO: The Fred Rogers Productions Writers' Neighborhood for emerging writers focuses on how to build and sustain a career as a freelance writer in children's media. Program participants will learn from the current writers, story editors, head writers, and producers working on the children's series FRP currently produces for PBS KIDS, including Donkey Hodie, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Alma's Way, as well as other top industry creatives.
We look forward to bringing in a diverse group of talent because building one's career is not just about "who you know," but also "who knows you."
FRP values the enrichment that results from working with partners having diverse experiences and backgrounds. Accordingly, BIPOC writers and writers who are members of other traditionally underrepresented communities in the children’s media industry are encouraged to apply.
PROGRAM GOALS FOR FRP WRITERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD:
Help to bring new voices and perspectives to children’s media by seeking out and providing training and support to new and emerging writers as they build freelance careers.
• The nine-week intensive program will focus on expanding the fellows' professional development:
Help writers understand the landscape of children’s media in the U.S.
Fellows will begin to structure or polish their brand as a freelance writer (in terms of presentingtheir portfolio in person and via social media)
Resumé polishing assistance
Templates for emails for introducing themselves, pitching for a job, and follow-up from an in-person meeting at an event
Master the art of networking
Gain a better understanding of the overall production process
Understand the creative structure of a show —what head writers and producers look for when seeking new writers through case studies of FRP’s series
Improve pitching skills (coaching for introducing themselves virtually or in person)
Learn the voice of a new show and writing for different genres (e.g., animation, live-action, puppets)
Gain insights from other leading industry creatives including head writers, producers, and executives
• In addition, writers who complete the program will receive:
Group meet-ups with FRP staff and guest experts for six months (virtually)
Mentorship from an expert in children's media (three, 45-minute sessions)
An invitation to pitch to write for an FRP show (within one year of completing the program)
A membership to an industry association
• FRP will also:
Offer participants an honorarium and pay for travel and accommodations to Pittsburgh, PA
Publicize writers to our network through social media, direct email, in-person social events, etc.
Host a virtual panel with participants after the program is completed
SUBMISSION MATERIALS*
The candidate's basic information (including their name and age), up-to-date contact information (including an email address, address, and phone numbers)
A copy of the candidate's resumé; NO PHOTOS PLEASE
A reply of 400 words or less for two prompts
An original writing sample
*See FAQs for more details about the submission materials.
writersneighborhood.fredrogers.org
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Documentary Lab Open Call
Firelight Media
DEADLINE: May 4, 2026
INFO: The Documentary Lab is Firelight Media’s longest-running artist program. This 12-month fellowship is designed to nurture filmmakers of color working on their first or second non-fiction feature film. The Documentary Lab provides holistic support for fellows’ projects and careers through professional development, customized mentorship, and a $25,000 project grant. Throughout the fellowship, filmmakers build a network within the documentary ecosystem, connecting with Firelight alumni and forging industry relationships across the field.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Firelight Media Documentary Lab is a 12-month fellowship program that supports filmmakers of color in the United States in directing their first or second feature-length documentary film. The Documentary Lab provides filmmakers with a $25,000 grant toward their projects as well as customized mentorship from prominent leaders in the documentary industry, professional development, and networking opportunities.
In 2026, the Documentary Lab will only accept projects in post-production. In an effort to be responsive to the changing landscape in the documentary field, all the projects in the fellowship will be aligned at a similar stage, allowing the 12-month program to focus on story development and project feedback to help move films significantly closer to completion.
Filmmakers should be prepared to have intentional conversations about how to reach their ideal audiences and be strategic about moving their films out into the world. Competitive applicants will be making artful and innovative documentary films that focus on stories about communities of color, offering new narratives about the most pressing issues of our time. All types of long-form documentary projects – historical, investigative, personal, vérité, hybrid, and experimental – are eligible for the Documentary Lab program.
Over the last decade, the Documentary Lab has grown from a mentorship program into a robust talent incubator that has supported approximately 150 emerging filmmakers of color and granted over $2.3 million toward productions. The fellowship brings together a cohesive cohort and connects them to an extraordinary community of Firelight Media alumni, while also building relationships across the independent documentary field.
The timeline and eligibility guidelines for the upcoming Fellowship are below.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:
Only the director of the film is eligible to apply and participate in the program. Co-directors may participate if they meet all eligibility requirements. If you’re applying with your co-director, please indicate that in your application. We cannot accept more than 2 directors per project.
This program is intended for filmmakers of color based in the United States or U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Samoa, Guam/Northern Mariana Islands).
The project must be a long-form/feature-length documentary; the fellowship does not accept short documentaries, series, or fiction projects.
Applicants must be emerging documentary filmmakers directing their first or second feature-length documentary.
New for 2026: We are only accepting films that are in POST-PRODUCTION. The film must be a work in progress. Completed films, or films in development, production, or pre-production, are not eligible. Be sure to review FAQs if you have further questions regarding your eligibility.
FILMMAKERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE SUPPORT THROUGH ANY OF FIRELIGHT MEDIA’S ARTIST PROGRAMS IF:
The filmmaker is applying with a project that is a student film or related to ongoing coursework.
The filmmaker is re-applying to a program they previously received support from.
The filmmaker is contracted with another Firelight Media artist program and has not completed the final deliverables by the time they are selected for this program.
The filmmaker is employed by Firelight Media, Firelight Films, or is a member of the board of directors.
The filmmaker does not hold the majority of the intellectual property of the film.
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
Monday, May 4, 2026 - Application Open Call Ends (The Submittable application will automatically close at 11:59 PM ET on Monday, May 4, 2026. No late submissions accepted.)
May-July 2026 - Two Rounds of Application Review & Advisory Board Panel Meeting
August 2026 - Finalist Interviews & Final Notifications
September 2026 - Cohort Orientation
September 2027 - End of program
firelightmedia.tv/documentary-lab
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Tulsa Artist Fellowship
📍Tulsa, OK
DEADLINE: May 7, 2026 at 6:00 pm CT
INFO: Tulsa Artist Fellowship supports artists as vital contributors to Tulsa’s cultural life.
We invest in long-term creative practice, offering artists the time, resources, and community to develop ambitious work rooted in Tulsa.
Our approach is artist-centered and flexible, grounded in the understanding that meaningful creative work takes time—and that artists thrive when trusted to define their own paths.
Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a place-based, durational award supporting visionary artists and arts workers across disciplines.
Open to artists and arts workers with at least five years of field experience, the Fellowship selects up to ten awardees, who will be announced live on November 6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Each awardee is provided a comprehensive support package that includes a $150,000 stipend, housing support, fully subsidized studio space, and access to shared art-making facilities.
Awardees commit to developing ambitious, community-engaged work that contributes to Tulsa’s cultural life and advances the Fellowship’s mission to support independent arts practitioners.
Program details may evolve to best support participating artists and the Fellowship’s mission.
Competitive applications will demonstrate:
A rigorous and innovative arts practice
A meaningful connection to making work in Tulsa
A forward-thinking, achievable project with strong community engagement and impact
AWARD STRUCTURE:
Each Fellow is supported through a comprehensive three-year award package designed to strengthen artistic development, stability, and well-being.
Financial Support
$150,000 project development and artistic practice stipend (over 3 years)
$36,000 housing support (over 3 years)
$1,500 studio move-in stipend
$3,600 studio assistant support (over 3 years)
$3,600 health and wellness support (over 3 years)
Community & Connection
Cohort gatherings and shared meals
Open studio events and public programs
Opportunties to engage with visiting arts professionals
Studio Workspace
Access to a fully subsidized private studio (337–583 sq ft)
Shared facilities include a ceramics studio with kilns, a woodshop, metal equipment, a media lab, an archival printer, a roof terrace, a performance rehearsal space, a podcast recording studio, and meeting rooms with video and audio capabilities
(Estimated value: $36,000 over 3 years)
Wellness & Care
YMCA membership for household
Caregiver reimbursements for key Fellowship activities
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
All applications are completed online and free to submit. Detailed instructions are provided in the application portal.
Basic information, including contact details, residence, citizenship, identity, and household information
Artistic background, including resume/CV, website, social media platforms, biography (up to 250 words), and collaborator information
(Collaborators must submit individual applications)Artistic Practice Statement (up to 500 words) and Fellowship Statement (up to 500 words)
Three-year project proposal, including project title, description (up to 500 words), role statement (up to 200 words), and optional visual or media support materials
Proposed use of the fellowship stipend, estimated budget for the $150,000 award, including living expenses, artistic production, and project-related costs.
Three professional references from the arts field