2027 Creative Exchange Cohort/Capacity-Building Grant Program Application
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2027 Creative Exchange Cohort / Capacity-Building Grant Program
Individual artists are essential to a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem, but building a sustainable creative career comes with unique challenges. The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is proud to offer the 2027 Creative Exchange Capacity-Building Grant Program, a cohort experience running January through mid-May that gives artists on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket the entrepreneurial tools, mentorship, and resources to build long-term financial resiliency and grow their creative businesses.
Information Sessions
Want to learn more before applying? Join us for a one-hour virtual information session:
Program Benefits
Through the Capacity-Building Grant Program, participating artists will receive:
- Individual coaching with the Arts Foundation's Programs Manager, who brings over 15 years of experience coaching artists and works one-on-one with each participant on their business plan and goals, scheduled separately from the Wednesday evening Cohort sessions
- Alumni-led and peer-led small group sessions
- Connection to other creatives to support one another on their professional journeys
- Priority access to the Arts Foundation's professional development workshops
- An opportunity to showcase your work in a public setting organized by the Arts Foundation
- A $1,000 working capital grant, awarded at the end of the program
Workshops including:
- Effectively Balancing Business and Art with Queen Allotey-Pappoe
- Taxes for Artists and Creative Freelancers with Hannah Cole, Sunlight Tax
- Writing About Your Work with Alyson Stanfield
- Speaking About Your Work with Alyson Stanfield
- Branding for Creative Business with Sarah Dudek
- The Power of Websites with Jessica Burko
- Arts Advocacy 101 with Emily Ruddock, MassCreative
- Press and PR with Chris Kazarian
- Essentials of Digital Marketing with Francesca Olsen
- Grant Writing with Julie Wake & Chris Kazarian
Plus peer meetups and a mid-program social.
*Workshop lineup subject to change.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are:
- Artists of all disciplines (visual arts, writing, film, dance, music/sound, theater, performance, social practice, etc.)
- Residents of Cape Cod (Barnstable County), Nantucket (Nantucket County), or Martha's Vineyard (Dukes County)
Not eligible:
- Full-time students enrolled in a degree program
- Artists living outside of Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha's Vineyard
- Artists who have already participated in the Capacity-Building Grant Program
The program encourages equal opportunity and values diversity in its applicants. Artists who have never received a grant are especially encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
A select cohort of artists will be chosen for 2027. Applications will be evaluated based on:
- History of creative work (emerging or established)
- Readiness to benefit (why this is the right moment in your career for business training, and how clearly you can articulate goals for your practice)
- Access to resources (priority is given to artists with limited financial or artistic opportunities and those from under-resourced communities)
Timeline
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Application opens
- Friday, November 6, 2026: Application closes (deadline to apply)
- December 2026: Applications reviewed and cohort selected
- Wednesday, January 6, 2027: Cohort onboarding
- January – May 2027: Cohort workshops and peer meetups, Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7 PM
- May 12, 2027: Program completion and release of $1,000 working capital grant
Questions to Consider Before Applying
- How will this opportunity support the growth of your creative practice?
- What stabilization and/or growth opportunities are you currently pursuing, and what types of investments will help you achieve them?
- Why is this the right time in your career for business and financial training?
- How has your creative practice engaged (or how do you plan to engage) with communities on Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard? How does your work contribute to and strengthen these communities?
Should you have questions about the application, please email Amy Neill at aneill@artsfoundation.org.