2025 What Can We Do? Artist Grant Application

The Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is pleased to announce the What Can We Do? artist grant program for AAPI artists addressing community care in creative ways. Grants will be awarded to 15 NYC-based artists who will be selected by A4 Staff. Each awardee will receive $1,500 to create and carry out ideas to engage, aid, and care for the Asian New Yorker community.

Eligibility criteria:

• A resident of New York City & primarily based in New York City during the program period
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• The project must benefit communities in Chinatown, Manhattan (District 1); Flushing, Queens (District 20); and/or be social justice project focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities within NYC
• All disciplines and stages of artistic exploration/developments, activism, community organizing, educational practice, and thought leadership are welcome; No prior organizing experience required
• Demonstrate a willingness or an interest in community work and care for vulnerable populations
• Create or develop an existing or new project that centers community building, healing, reflection, and joy, and not limited to being solely reactionary to moments of crisis or protest
• Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate an intention to build an ongoing relationship and engagement with the community
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received the award, but anyone can apply
• The event(s) or project engagement(s) must take place within the four-month period between February 4–June 3, 2025

Click here for complete guidelines and FAQ.

All applications are due Sunday, January 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

Please note: This form allows you to save your application's progress. Make sure to click 'save & continue later' at the bottom of the form.

Personal Information

Demographic Information

A4 seeks to be inclusive and accessible to all applicants. For this reason, we request this information to assess whether our program is achieving its diversity objectives.

Eligibility Requirements

The proposed project must benefit communities in Chinatown, Manhattan (District 1); Flushing, Queens (District 20); and/or be a social justice project focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities (within NYC).

Proposed Project Details

Projects may take many forms such as performing music for seniors waiting in line at food pantries, leading workshops with youth to create ‘zines that reinforce positive aspects of AAPI culture, or presenting an interactive exhibition of Palestinian weaving traditions.

Local Community Organizations

If you are selected as an awardee, A4 is happy to facilitate an introduction to a pre-approved community-based organization in the list below. These organizations have already agreed to consider collaborating with WCWD Awardees, but you are not obligated to partner with them. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be matched with an organization; we will try our best.

Chinatown, Manhattan

• Chatham Square Park Library (NYPL)
• University Settlement

Flushing, Queens

• Glow Cultural Center
• Queens Botanical Garden
• YWCA Queens

Proposed Community Organization

Please share more about the community organization you intend to work with. You should be filling out this section for organizations outside of A4's partner organizations listed earlier in the application. We love hearing about organizations outside of our existing partnerships.

Supplementary Information

This information provides us additional ways to get a greater sense of who you are and explore your body of work. Please be sure to include all recent and past projects and collaborations.

Documentation

Applicants must be a resident of New York City & primarily based in New York City during the program period (this program will take on a hybrid form with some in-person meetings), and must be 21 years or older. Please upload documents that verify your proof of residency and age below.

Note: Documentation must be an official document stating the applicant’s name, date, and NYC address; Can be, but not be limited to: utility bill, bank statement or bill, credit card statement, valid government ID listing NYC address issued in 2024-25, residential lease, idNYC issued in 2024-25, roommate agreement, rent receipt or proof or rent, studio lease or any other form of official documentation listing the above.

Note: Upload passport or state-issued ID, including idNYC

Please note: this form allows you to save your application's progress. Make sure to click 'save & continue later' at the bottom of the form.