Creative Equations Fund (CEF) - Performing Arts Grant

The Creative Equations Fund (CEF) is an initiative by the Brooklyn Arts Council aimed at supporting artists and small organizations dedicated to social justice. Grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to Brooklyn-based applicants, including individuals and nonprofits, to enhance their capacity for impactful cultural interventions. This fund emphasizes community engagement, cultural equity, and sustainability, fostering artistic innovation that addresses social issues and strengthens local communities.

What is the Creative Equations Fund?
Brooklyn Arts Council's Social Justice Investment Strategy. Because Art Innovates Society. Artists Make Change + Brooklyn Arts Council Builds Capacity = Art Innovates Society
The Creative Equations Fund supports art for social justice and community impact.
Awards are $10,000 each.
Brooklyn-based artists, small arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs, and researchers dedicated to social justice can apply.Creative Equations Fund grants can be for general operating support, project support, or both.
The Creative Equations Fund leverages Brooklyn Arts Council’s 40+ years of grant-making expertise to invest in arts for social justice. This hyper-local fund supports community-engaged artists, arts organizations, cultural entrepreneurs, and researchers who dedicate their creativity to solving social problems.
At Brooklyn Arts Council, we already empower artists to empower communities through community coalition building, workforce development, and equitable grantmaking. Creative Equations Fund is a bolder commitment to the possibility and responsibility to help art help the world. We acknowledge leaders in the field whose work inspires us including Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, The Free Black Women’s Library, Trans Lash, The Laundromat Project, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Open Society Institute, The Rubin Foundation, Arts for Justice Fund.
Creative Equations Fund Investment Strategy
Build Capacity for artists, arts organizations, and arts-businesses working towards a more equitable, sustainable, just, and joyful Brooklyn.Increase Cultural Equity by widening funding accessibility for artists and small organizations.
Strengthen Sustainability through connectivity via community collaboration, community activations, civic engagement, and social innovation.
What is the aim of this grant
To build the capacity of social practice artists and small arts organizations and to amplify models of cultural interventions for justice.

Eligibility

Applicants must be residents of Brooklyn (Kings County) or base their practice/work in Brooklyn and provide proof of Kings County residence or operationsApplicants can be:

• Individuals
• 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization (federal designation)
• Incorporated non-profit organization (state designation)

Unincorporated arts group or collective (designate one lead artist or administrator to serve as primary contact)Applying under a fiscal sponsor is optional and will not affect a proposal’s competitiveness. Sponsors must have IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit status and be incorporated within the five boroughs of NYC.

Ineligibility

Organizations with operating budgets over $250,000 are ineligible. Lobbying expensesMartial Arts, though hybrid forms that include music and dance (such as capoeira and kalinda) can be considered.Culinary Arts