Creative Catalyst Grants

Creative Catalyst Grants is sponsored by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. These grants encourage and support special arts projects and events with statewide impact. Funding supports new initiatives that strengthen cultural, educational, or economic vitality and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Apply for a Creative Catalyst Grant | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Apply for a Creative Catalyst Grant Creative Catalyst grants support new initiatives and opportunities that advance strategies for strengthening the cultural, educational, or economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts.

Creative Catalyst is a grant program of Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), that 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.

\r\n Creative Catalyst applications will be assessed based on the degree to which they: \r\n 1.) Align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity: \r\n \r\n 2.) Demonstrate statewide or broad regional reach and benefit.

\r\n 3.) Demonstrate capacity to carry out project as proposed. Creative Catalyst is a grant program of Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), that 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.

Creative Catalyst applications will be assessed based on the degree to which they: 1.) Align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity: 2.) Demonstrate statewide or broad regional reach and benefit.

3.) Demonstrate capacity to carry out project as proposed. Grant amounts will not exceed $25,000.

No more than 20% of the grant award may be used for administrative expenses. A confirmed 1:1 cash match is required. Organizations can receive a Creative Catalyst grant once every three years.

Creative Catalyst is not designed to support established programs, ongoing operations, or provide an annual source of funds. This is a reimbursement-based grant program, which means grantees must first incur and pay for eligible expenses, then submit an invoice/final report with required documentation, such as receipts, invoices, and proof of payment, to receive funding. Grant amounts will not exceed $25,000.

No more than 20% of the grant award may be used for administrative expenses. A confirmed 1:1 cash match is required. Organizations can receive a Creative Catalyst grant once every three years.

Creative Catalyst is not designed to support established programs, ongoing operations, or provide an annual source of funds. This is a reimbursement-based grant program, which means grantees must first incur and pay for eligible expenses, then submit an invoice/final report with required documentation, such as receipts, invoices, and proof of payment, to receive funding.

2025 - 2026 Creative Catalyst Application Guidelines (PDF) 2025 - 2026 Creative Catalyst Application Guidelines (PDF) How to Apply for a Creative Catalyst Grant 1.) Read the program guidelines (PDF) thoroughly. \r\n 2.)

Complete and submit this form (PDF) . If eligible, Seth Poppy will contact you to discuss your proposal in more detail. \r\n 3.)

Register and apply through the grants. pa. gov platform.

Creative Catalyst applicants will be asked to provide the following information: \r\n Provide a summary of the proposed project. How does the proposed project align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity? What is the project’s statewide or broad regional reach and benefit to the creative sector?

Describe the applicant’s capacity to carry out the project as proposed. How will the funds be used if awarded? 1.)

Read the program guidelines (PDF) thoroughly. 2.) Complete and submit this form (PDF) .

If eligible, Seth Poppy will contact you to discuss your proposal in more detail. 3.) Register and apply through the grants.

pa. gov platform. Creative Catalyst applicants will be asked to provide the following information: Provide a summary of the proposed project.

How does the proposed project align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity? What is the project’s statewide or broad regional reach and benefit to the creative sector? Describe the applicant’s capacity to carry out the project as proposed.

How will the funds be used if awarded? Eligibility requirements for Creative Catalyst Grants \r\n To apply for Creative Catalyst funding, organizations must be one of the following: Applicants must be a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, unit of government; college or university; or school district providing creative sector programming and/or services in Pennsylvania.

\r\n Organizations are required to provide proof of incorporation and activity in Pennsylvania before applications are reviewed or funds awarded. Fiscal agents and fiscal sponsors are not eligible to apply for Creative Catalyst funding.

To apply for Creative Catalyst funding, organizations must be one of the following: Applicants must be a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, unit of government; college or university; or school district providing creative sector programming and/or services in Pennsylvania. Organizations are required to provide proof of incorporation and activity in Pennsylvania before applications are reviewed or funds awarded.

Fiscal agents and fiscal sponsors are not eligible to apply for Creative Catalyst funding.