Creative Equations Fund

The Creative Equations Fund (CEF) is a strategic grantmaking initiative by the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) designed to empower Brooklyn-based artists, small arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs, and researchers committed to the intersection of arts and social justice. Supported by the Howard Gilman Foundation, CEF prioritizes community-embedded creative practices that address systemic social issues through performance, cultural innovation, and civic engagement. This hyper-local fund builds on BAC’s four decades of grantmaking and deep commitment to cultural equity, sustainability, and justice by directing targeted resources to creatives addressing real-world challenges through artistic means. CEF is rooted in equity-driven principles, particularly emphasizing accessibility, community empowerment, and sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to define success and impact on their own terms, reflecting their unique perspectives and relationship with the community they serve. Grantees may use the funding for general operating support, project-based initiatives, or a combination of both. Grant awards are capped at $10,000, and the fund is open to performing artists and small performing arts organizations with annual budgets under $250,000. All supported work must occur in Brooklyn between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Applicants must submit proposals through Submittable, BAC’s online platform, by November 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. The application includes a narrative explaining the artist’s mission, role in social change, work samples, a clear timeline, collaborator engagement plan, promotion strategy, and a budget that reflects artist compensation. Eligibility is limited to Brooklyn residents or those whose practice is based in the borough. Applicants must be 18 years or older, and prior experience in the relevant social justice field is expected, particularly for those seeking general operating support. The evaluation process is managed by a diverse panel of Brooklyn-based artists, cultural workers, and community advocates. Proposals are judged based on artistic merit, communal impact, process innovation, and capacity to complete the project. Selected grantees must meet several post-award requirements, including the submission of a signed contract, a W-9 form, proper branding of promotional materials, a final report by January 15, 2027, and participation in a grantee orientation. Optional mentoring and training opportunities may also be offered as part of the grant package. While the fund supports a wide range of performing arts disciplines, there are exclusions. Culinary arts and martial arts (except hybrid performance forms like capoeira) are ineligible. The fund also does not support presenters, service organizations, or non-performance-based arts institutions. BAC strongly encourages applicants from underrepresented groups and veterans and offers information sessions—available virtually and in-person—to help prospective grantees navigate the process and strengthen their applications. CEF operates on an annual cycle. The next cycle will open again in September 2026, with updated application materials and deadlines released in advance. This annual cadence ensures ongoing investment in Brooklyn’s cultural ecosystem and fosters long-term partnerships between artists and communities working toward social transformation through creative expression.

Attend information sessions for guidance; define success and impact in your own terms; align with social justice mission; show community engagement and capacity