Grantseekers

Our Process

The Creative Arts Collective grantmaking initiative supports expressions of the Christian story and faith that inspire moments of awe and wonder through art and art experiences.  Our grant program seeks to create, educate, and network by supporting initiatives across the nation that create and curate works of art, educate and nurture Christian imagination, and cultivate and sustain a thriving network in Christianity and the arts. Grants will be awarded to support a broad array of projects and programs such as events, performances, and exhibits; commissioning art of diverse forms (including visual, architectural, musical, narrative, film, and live performances); enhancing arts in the church; and capacity building for organizations aligned with the Creative Arts Collective’s aspirational aim. Read the 2025 Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP).

With this year’s theme of “Performing Shalom,” applicants are invited to reflect the concept in their project or program, but it is not a requirement when applying for a grant. Visit Our Theme page for more information. 

Eligibility

Interested individual artists, artist collaboratives, church leaders, scholars/theologians, arts-affiliated organizations, faith-based nonprofit organizations, or institutions who reside or operate in the United States are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants may submit proposals with requests ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 that may be used over one year.  

Application Process

The Creative Arts Collective anticipates awarding up to ten grants per cycle to applicants selected. All proposals will first be screened by Creative Arts Collective staff for minimum criteria, and then by an RFP Review Board for consideration and review.  The Creative Arts Collective intends to award grants to applicants who submit the most compelling proposals and demonstrate they have the capacity to design, implement, and sustain a quality project or program that advances the Creative Arts Collective’s aspirational aim. 

The Creative Arts Collective asks awarded grantees to engage in the following ways:  

• Articulating how the granted project or program reflects the Christian story  

• Collaborating with network constituents and other commissioned artists  

• Coordinating with the Creative Arts Collective storytelling team  

• Participating in the Creative Summit & Art Festival  

Grant Calendar

Interested individual artists, artist collaboratives, church leaders, scholars/theologians, arts-affiliated organizations, faith-based nonprofit organizations, or institutions who reside or operate in the United States are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants may submit proposals with requests ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 that may be used over one year.  

*If a deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline will be the following business day.
View our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Christianity & the Arts

In the area of Christianity and the arts, what do we mean by these terms? What makes a work of art effective to realize this mission and achieve this aim?

1. We define a work of art as a creative expression that uses an imaginative or aesthetic appeal to reflect, magnify, and illuminate an idea related to the Christian faith.
2. A work of art can use traditional platforms such as painting; sculpture; poetry and prose; musical expressions of composition, instrumentation and lyric/vocal singing; dance; and can use newer forms of content expression such as interactive and digital media, film, animation and videogames; and experience-design through gatherings and community experiences such as installations, performances, concerts, and more.
3. All works of art granted and supported by the Creative Arts Collective will be, by definition, “Faith Declaring.” This means that if we are granting the work, we have used a process (throughout the steps of awarding grants) that determines that the work aligns with the objectives to our mission.