Newark is for Artists mural by The Nork Project, photo by Chrystofer Davis.
The City of Newark
Creative Catalyst Fund 2022
THE DEADLINE FOR THIS CYCLE HAS PASSED
$ Grant Funds Awarded
Artists and Arts Organizations Funded
Launched by Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs in 2020, the Creative Catalyst Fund supports the local community of artists and cultural organizations, which provides immense social and economic value to the City of Newark by revitalizing neighborhoods, inspiring students, and generally improving the quality of life for city residents. The Fund is administered by the City’s Division Arts and Cultural Affairs through local arts agency, Newark Arts, and provides grants to individual artists and small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations with an arts or culture-focused mission.
The application form will be available on November 9, 2022. The deadline to apply will be December 1. Grant funds will be administered by Newark Arts. Awarded funds must be used by June 1, 2023. A final report must also be completed at the end of the grant cycle.
Applicants must choose between the two grant streams listed below, based on eligibility. Applicants may only apply to a single grant stream. Please review these Guidelines thoroughly before beginning an application.
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
- Eligibility: Newark-based non-profit arts and cultural organizations with annual operating budgets up to $2 million
- Grant Range: $2,500 – $25,000
Grants to support general operating costs of small and mid-sized non-profit arts and cultural organizations. Awarded funds may be used to cover any operating costs, including but not limited to staff salaries and benefits, rent, program-specific expenses, or costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Grants over $5,000 must be matched by funds raised from other sources.
ARTIST FELLOWSHIPS
- Eligibility: Newark-based individual artists or artist collectives working in any artistic discipline
- Grant Range: $1,000 – $5,000
Grants to support individual artists or artist collectives who have shown exceptional creative ability and commitment to social impact through their work. Awarded funds may be used to cover any expenses related to the artist’s practice, including but not limited to workspace rent, supplies or equipment, or costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. There is no matching requirement.
PRESS
01/30/2023 - Newark Mayor Baraka Announces 2022 Creative Catalyst Fund Awardees - New Jersey Stage
01/24/2023 - Newark awards 114 grants to artists and arts collectives - ROI NJ
01/24/2023 - Newark Awards ‘Creative Catalyst’ Grants to Local Artists - TAPintoNewark
01/24/2023 - 148 Artists, Art Groups Just Earned Grant Funds In Newark - Newark Patch
11/17/2022 - Baraka announces third year of funding for artists and and arts organizations - Amsterdam News
11/15/2022 - Newark Will Use Federal COVID Money To Fund Artists, Art Groups - Newark Patch
March 17, 2021 – New Round of Funding for Local Artists, Art Groups Announced – TAPintoNewark
March 16, 2021 – Newark Mayor Announces Second Round of Funding For Artists and Arts Organizations – New Jersey Stage
MEDIA ADVISORY: Mayor Baraka Announces Second Round of Funding for Artists and Arts Organizations [ Full Press Release ]
June 22, 2020 – Mayor Baraka announces Creative Catalyst Fund Grants to artists and arts organizations impacted by COVID-19 – City of Newark
May 20, 2020 – A City Rethinks its Arts Grants Program in Light of the Coronavirus Pandemic – Grantmakers in the Arts
April 22, 2020 – How Newark Retooled Its Ambitious Arts Grant Program to Respond to COVID-19 – Next City
April 19, 2020 – Newark Artists Keep Working in the Face of Coronavirus Crisis – TAPinto NEWARK
April 2, 2020 – Newark Mayor Launches a Creative Catalyst Fund for the City’s Arts Community – ArtfixDaily
April 2, 2020 – Newark Mayor Launches Creative Catalyst Fund For Artists and Art Organizations Impacted By COVID-19 – New Jersey Stage
MEDIA ADVISORY: Mayor Baraka Launches Creative Catalyst Fund up to $750,000 for Artists and Arts Organizationa Impacted by Covid-19 [ Full Press Release ]
