Application guidelines for The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage's 2026 grant cycle are now available. On our How to Apply page, you'll find guidelines for Letters of Intent to Apply for Creative Project grants in our Exhibitions & Public Interpretation and Performance funding areas, as well as full application guidelines for Evolving Futures implementation and planning grants.
Below, you’ll find important dates and information on the first steps in the application process.
We encourage all potential applicants to stay up to date on our grantmaking programs and other Center news by joining our email list.
Many of the changes that the Center implemented in its 2025 cycle return this year, made in response to applicant feedback about the Center’s grantmaking processes. These include:
- Eligibility for fiscally sponsored organizations in our Creative Project grants funding area.
- An Initial Inquiry Form offering a clear first step for all organizational grants. The form only takes a few minutes to complete and does not require an online account.
- A significantly streamlined Letter of Intent to Apply (LOI) for Creative Project grants.
- Fewer required meetings for returning applicants.
Learn More on February 5
The Center’s program staff will host an online information session on Thursday, February 5, at 11 a.m. EST to give an overview of this year's grant application guidelines, followed by a Q&A session. RSVP to the webinar here.
What are the first steps for all applicants?
Whether you’re a grantee, returning applicant, or new to The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, we recommend the following:
- Start by reading “Are We the Right Funder for You?” on page 3 of our Creative Project grant guidelines, as well as our eligibility criteria for Creative Project and Evolving Futures grants.
- By March 16: Submit an Initial Inquiry Form to let us know you’re interested in applying for a Creative Project or Evolving Futures grant.
- Also by March 16: Upload financial documents to the “My Financials” tab of the Center’s digital application portal. You will receive a link after completing the Inquiry Form.
- By March 27: For Creative Project grant applicants, only organizations new to our process or that have not applied to the Center since 2020 will need to meet with Center staff. These early meetings are optional for returning applicants. (Please note: Meetings are required for all Evolving Futures applicants and will begin in late April, by invitation.)
- Make note of these additional dates: LOIs for Creative Project grants and project briefs for Evolving Futures grants are due April 9 at 4 p.m. EST. Applicants will be notified by May 28 about whether they may proceed to the full application (Creative Projects) or schedule a meeting with Center staff (Evolving Futures).
Capacity Building Grants
Applicants may also wish to learn more about capacity building grants on our How to Apply page. Research and Travel grants are available now to help prospective applicants develop and deepen their professional and programmatic capacities and support exploratory phases of projects that may lead to future Center funding.
Technical assistance grants to help 2026 Creative Project grant applicants with managing and completing the Center’s application process will be offered in June. Organizations that are invited to submit a full application may apply at that time.
Questions? Please send a message to apply@pewcenterarts.org. We look forward to engaging with you in the months to come.