Creative Catalyst Grants is sponsored by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. This funding opportunity is designed to encourage and support projects and events that have the potential for statewide or broad regional impact on the arts and creative sector.

Creative Catalyst Grants | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Creative Catalyst Grant Program Creative Catalyst grants support 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.

2026 - 2027 Creative Catalyst Guidelines (PDF) <span class=\"text-headline--large\"><b>The Creative Catalyst Grant Application Portal Opens April 1, 2026</b></span></p>\r\n"}}"> The Creative Catalyst Grant Application Portal Opens April 1, 2026 <span class=\"text-headline--large\">Overview</span></h2>\r\n<p>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.

</p>\r\n<p>Please note: Creative Catalyst grants may not fund activities supported by other Pennsylvania Creative Industries grant awards. </p>\r\n<p><b> Creative Catalyst applications will be assessed based on the degree to which they:</b></p>\r\n<p>1.)

Align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Asset Development</li>\r\n<li>Workforce Development</li>\r\n<li>Community Development</li>\r\n<li>Visibility</li>\r\n<li>Policy</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>2.) Demonstrate statewide or broad regional reach and benefit. </p>\r\n<p>3.)

Demonstrate capacity to carry out project as proposed. </p>\r\n"}}"> 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.

Please note: Creative Catalyst grants may not fund activities supported by other Pennsylvania Creative Industries grant awards. 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.

<b><span class=\"text-headline--medium\">Other things to know:</span></b></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Grant amounts will not exceed $25,000. </li>\r\n<li>No more than 20% of the grant award may be used for administrative expenses. </li>\r\n<li>A 1:1 cash match is required.

</li>\r\n<li>Organizations can receive a Creative Catalyst grant once every three years. </li>\r\n<li>Please note that this funding opportunity is <u>not</u> designed to support established programs, ongoing operations, or provide an annual source of funds.

</li>\r\n<li>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. </li>\r\n</ul>\r\n"}}"> Grant amounts will not exceed $25,000. No more than 20% of the grant award may be used for administrative expenses.

A 1:1 cash match is required. Organizations can receive a Creative Catalyst grant once every three years. Please note that this funding opportunity 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. <b><span class=\"text-headline--medium\">How to apply:<br>\r\nNOTE: The Grant Application Portal Opens for Creative Catalyst Applications on April 1, 2026</span></b></h3>\r\n<p>1.

Read <a href=\"/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/coa/documents/guidelines/2026%20-%202027%20pa%20creative%20industries%20-%20creative%20catalyst%20guidelines. pdf\">the program guidelines (PDF)</a> thoroughly. </p>\r\n<p>2.

<a href=\"https://forms. office. com/pages/responsepage.

aspx? id=QSiOQSgB1U2bbEf8Wpob3rPPsh4UW6VOlmozV-yGdNpUQk9BOVJOS1hZQkVMWEdRWUhGQ09QMVRZOC4u&route=shorturl\">Complete and submit this form (PDF)</a>. <b>If eligible, Seth Poppy will contact you to discuss your proposal in more detail.

</b> </p>\r\n<p>3. Register and apply through the <a href=\"https://grants. pa.

gov/Login. aspx\">grants. pa.

gov</a> platform. </p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Creative Catalyst applicants will be asked to provide the following information: <ul>\r\n<li>Provide a summary of the proposed project. </li>\r\n<li>How does the proposed project align with one or more of Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ five areas of opportunity?

</li>\r\n<li>What is the project’s statewide or broad regional reach and benefit to the creative sector? </li>\r\n<li>Describe the applicant’s capacity to carry out the project as proposed. </li>\r\n<li>How will the funds be used if awarded?

</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n"}}"> NOTE: The Grant Application Portal Opens for Creative Catalyst Applications on April 1, 2026 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? For questions regarding a potential Creative Catalyst project, contact Seth Poppy.

For technical and login questions, contact DCED's egrants help desk: (833) 448-0647 or via email.