ATH Creative Fund
An unrestricted $500 grant, awarded to one artist every month. Use it for whatever your practice needs. No receipts, no reports.
Grant Cycle 01 · Applications open October 15 to November 15, 2026
Artists built this community. This is us giving back.
For years, artists have trusted us with their work. Their paintings, photographs and poems have filled our books, our magazine and our Instagram, and grown a community of 200,000+ people who love art as much as they do.
Everything Arts To Hearts Project is today, artists made possible. The Creative Fund is how we give some of that back: $500 every month, straight to one artist, to spend on their practice.
It stands completely on its own. You don't need to have entered one of our calls, bought a book, or worked with us before. Just apply with your work.
What the fund is
- ✓Money for your practice. Supplies, equipment, studio space, a course, or time to make.
- ✓Judged on the work alone. Not followers, not degrees, not where you live.
- ✓Open to every career stage. Self-taught, emerging and established artists apply side by side.
- ✓For visual artists, photographers and writers. All three are reviewed equally.
What the fund isn't
- ✕Not a competition. No theme, no brief and no public voting. It's free to apply.
- ✕Not tied to anything else. No call entry, book purchase or past work with ATH needed.
- ✕Not a commission. We won't ask you to make anything for us in return.
- ✕Not a loan. Nothing to pay back, and no reports on how you spent it.
$500 in funding. Plus a published feature.
Eligible costs include, but aren't limited to:
No receipts. No reports. No check-ins.
A recipient feature interview
We'll interview you about your work, your process and what the grant makes possible, and publish it as a full feature on artstoheartsproject.com.
Recognition as a grant recipient
You'll be announced as the ATH Creative Fund recipient for the cycle on our Instagram, a title that's yours to use in your bio and CV.
Are you eligible? Find out in 30 seconds.
The fund is open to artists at every stage. No degree, CV or follower count required. Tick each statement that's true for you.
Five ticks and you're eligible to apply.
Keep going.
You're on your way.
Nearly there.
Just one more.
You meet every requirement for Grant Cycle 01. Your application takes about ten minutes.
Three disciplines. One grant.
Visual art
Painting, drawing, illustration, digital art, mixed media, collage and printmaking.
Photography
Any subject, any style, any camera, including your phone.
Creative writing
Poetry, short stories, flash fiction and personal essays.
Emerging, self-taught or established: every career stage is considered equally.
Three steps. About ten minutes.
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1
Choose your work sample
Pick one piece that best represents your practice. It can be new or previously shared, as long as you made it.
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2
Share it on Instagram
Post it publicly between October 15 and November 15. Tag us on the image itself, add the hashtag, and follow us so you don't miss our message if you're selected. Writers can post a photo of the page or a simple text graphic.
@artstoheartsproject #ATHCreativeFund -
3
Submit your application
Complete the form below with your post link, your work sample and a few lines about your practice, in your own words.
Apply for Grant Cycle 01.
Deadline: November 15, 2026, 11:59 PM.
Reviewed by people. Not an algorithm.
Every application is reviewed by the Arts To Hearts team. Follower counts, likes and formal training play no part in the decision. We look for:
All three disciplines are reviewed on equal footing. A poem has the same chance as a painting.
Grant Cycle 01 timeline.
Application guidelines.
- Applicants must be 18 or older. The fund is open worldwide.
- The work sample must be your own original work. Inspired by others is fine; copied is not.
- Fan art, fan fiction, logos and licensed characters are not eligible.
- One application per person, per grant cycle.
- Writing must be in English. Poems up to 40 lines; stories and essays up to 1,500 words.
- Both the tagged Instagram post and the completed form are required.
Not selected this cycle? Apply again next month.
The fund reopens every month with a new $500 grant and a new recipient. There's no limit on how many cycles you can apply to.
Get notified of the next cycleFrequently asked questions.
Is this a grant or a competition?
It's a grant. There's no theme, no public voting and no entry fee. Each month, one artist receives $500 in unrestricted funding for their practice.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying is free, every cycle.
What can I use the grant for?
Anything that supports your practice: supplies, equipment, studio space, a course, or time to create. It's unrestricted, so the decision is yours.
Do I need to report how I spent it?
No. No receipts, no reports, no check-ins.
Do I need a CV, degree or artist statement?
No. A few lines about your work, written the way you'd explain it to a friend, is all we ask.
Can I apply from outside the US?
Yes. The fund is open to artists worldwide.
Why is an Instagram post required?
It's how we see your work in context, and how your community can support you while applications are open.
My Instagram account is private. What should I do?
Make it public while applications are open so we can view your post. You can switch it back afterwards.
How should I post my writing?
A photo of the page, a screenshot or a simple text graphic all work. For longer pieces, use a carousel and upload the full text in the form.
Can I submit work I've already shared or published?
Yes, as long as you made it and you have the right to share it.
Can I apply every month?
Yes. One application per cycle, and you're welcome to apply to every cycle.
How is the grant paid?
The grant is paid in USD, directly to the recipient. We'll arrange payment details with you once you're selected.
How will I know if I've been selected?
We'll email you and message you on Instagram before the public announcement. Please check your spam folder and message requests.
Will I hear back if I'm not selected?
Every application is reviewed, but we're unable to respond to each applicant individually. The recipient is announced on our Instagram.
I have another question.
Email us at support@artstoheartsproject.com. We're happy to help.
Grant terms
You keep full ownership of your work, always. By applying, you allow Arts To Hearts Project to share your work sample on our Instagram and website in connection with the ATH Creative Fund, always with credit. For longer writing, we may share an excerpt. We will never sell, print or license your work.
The $500 grant is paid in USD, and any transfer fees are the responsibility of the recipient. If the selected recipient cannot be reached within 7 days, the grant may be awarded to another applicant. All selection decisions are final. If any dates change, we'll update this page and announce it on Instagram.
Your practice deserves funding.
Applications for Grant Cycle 01 close November 15, 2026. It's free, and it takes about ten minutes.
Apply for the grant