Creative Catalyst Grants
Creative Catalyst Grants support nonprofits’ new initiatives that empower, connect, and amplify Pennsylvania’s creatives and creative industries and advance their contributions to communities and the economy.
Funder: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Due Dates: June 12, 2026 (Quarterly application) | September 11, 2026 (Quarterly application) | November 13, 2026 (Quarterly application) | February 12, 2027 (Quarterly application) | September 30, 2027 (Final report)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000; 1:1 cash match required; performance period September 1, 2026–August 31, 2027
Summary: Supports new initiatives that empower, connect, and amplify creatives and creative industries across Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and workforce.
Key Information: Reimbursement-based funding: grantees must incur and pay eligible expenses before receiving grant funds.
Description
Creative Catalyst is a Pennsylvania Creative Industries grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. It supports new initiatives and opportunities that advance strategies for empowering, connecting, and amplifying creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and workforce. The opportunity is intended for new work rather than established programs, ongoing operations, or an annual source of funding.
Projects are assessed on their alignment with the agency’s areas of opportunity, their statewide or broad regional reach and benefit, and the applicant’s capacity to deliver the proposed work. The five areas of opportunity are asset development, workforce development, community development, visibility, and policy.
