Artist Accelerator
Sundance Institute's Artist Accelerator Program offers fellowships, grants, and mentorship to empower diverse independent storytellers in fiction, nonfiction, and innovative media.
Funder: Sundance Institute
Due Dates: Rolling (various fellowships and funds open throughout the year)
Funding Amounts: Fellowships: typically $10,000–$25,000 (unrestricted) | Completion/project grants: up to $25,000 | Yearlong support and mentorship included
Summary: Supports emerging and mid-career independent storytellers with financial, creative, and tactical resources, including fellowships, project grants, and mentorship.
Key Information: Multiple tracks focus on underrepresented groups and innovative storytelling; eligibility and deadlines vary by opportunity.
Description
The Artist Accelerator Program at Sundance Institute is designed to empower independent storytellers—particularly those who are emerging or mid-career—by providing yearlong fellowships, project advancement and completion grants, and individualized mentorship. The program is structured to address the evolving creative and economic challenges in independent media, with a strong emphasis on access, equity, and sustainability. It supports a diverse range of artists and projects through both open calls and invitation, and often collaborates with peer organizations, public agencies, and grassroots collectives. The program includes specialized tracks and funds targeting specific communities (e.g., Asian American, Latine, U.S. Muslim, AI creators), and offers both financial support and professional development.
