Creative Catalyst Grant Program
Creative Catalyst Grant Program supports organizations serving Pennsylvania’s creative sector with new initiatives and special events that strengthen its communities, economy, and workforce.
Funder: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Due Dates: November 11, 2026 (Eligibility check and information request) | November 13, 2026 (Application) | February 12, 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 with a confirmed 1:1 cash match; performance period September 1, 2026–August 31, 2027
Summary: Supports new initiatives and special opportunities that advance Pennsylvania’s creative sector with statewide or broad regional benefit.
Key Information: Organizations may receive a Creative Catalyst grant only once every three years.
Description
Creative Catalyst is a program of Pennsylvania Creative Industries, the flagship brand of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. It supports new initiatives, special events, and unique strategic opportunities that empower, connect, and amplify creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and workforce. The program is not intended to sustain established programs, ongoing operations, or annually recurring projects.
Projects should offer statewide or broad regional reach and benefit and align with one or more of five opportunity areas: Asset Development, Workforce Development, Community Development, Visibility, and Policy. These encompass creative-sector infrastructure and networking, skills and employment pathways, creative placemaking, promotion of creative industries, and policies that foster opportunity. Applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to carry out the proposed work.
