Photo: Leyla McCalla, credit: Greg Miles
The Creation & Development Fund supports the creation, development and mobility of new artistic work that advances racial and cultural justice and results in live experiential exchange between artists and community.
The fund provides a framework for relationships to develop, over time, among diverse artists, arts organizations, and communities. Through the investment of commissioning funds from arts organizations and NPN direct subsidies, each project is eligible for multi-level support.
Phase I:
Creation
Relationships are central to the Creation Fund, which supports new work in early stages.
Artists apply for the Creation Fund with a team consisting of at least two arts organizations (co-commissioners) led by a NPN National Partner.
Each commissioner contributes a $2,000–$3,000 cash match and agrees to present the work once it has been created.
NPN matches these funds so that every Creation Fund artist receives a minimum of $15,000 of project funding.
The structure of the Creation Fund increases organizations’ capacities to commission work, deepens relationships, and is a tool for leveraging other local and national funding.
Phase II:
Development
Artists who have received Creation Fund support may apply for additional development support. Development Funds are artist-driven:
Artists may apply for up to $10,000 for team-based projects with a commissioner (or other collaborator) of their choosing.
or
Artists may apply for individual artist support, up to $5,000.
Development Funds can be used for a variety of needs when developing a work for public engagement.
Phase III:
Mobility
Once a work is developed, co-commissioners are required to support artists through a public engagement of the new work, focused on exchange between artists and communities.
NPN offers access to (but does not guarantee) Artist Engagement Funds for NPN National Partners to support artist fees for Phase III.
The Creation & Development Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation.
Upcoming Deadlines
Phase I: Creation Fund
For projects premiering* between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028
Applications will become available soon.
Phase II: Development Fund
For awarded Creation Fund Projects
Guidelines and Template Project Timeline & Budget
Fiscal Year 2023
19
Artist Projects
- 177 individual artists from 16 cities
- 100% led by Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
- 37% of lead artists identify as trans, gender-nonconforming, non-binary or two-spirit
46
Co-commissioning Organizations
Cultural organizations from 34 cities
$531,500
Direct Subsidies
$2.4 million
Funds Leveraged
Staff Contacts
Alec De León (he/him)
National Programs Senior Specialist
504.595.8008 ext 709
Nick Hüster (he/him)
National Programs Manager
317.437.3713
