• September 14, 2026: Application opens

• November 1, 2026: Application closes

• December 1, 2026: Shortlist announced

• January 7, 2027: Awards announced

• January 21, 2027: Funds disbursed to awardees

The Catalyst Award recognizes emerging artists (of any age) or established artists who propose a small or very early-stage project. The award carries a stipend of $1000. The Catalyst Award is designed to get the project off the ground, to take the idea from zero to one. The award may fund the entire project or may act as seed money for a larger project.

The Vanguard Award recognizes more established artists and artists whose projects are larger scale and/or further along in development. The award stipend is $2500. This amount is designed to make a more meaningful contribution to the overall project budget.

To honor the spirit of Margaret Kargbo, Idea Capital steering committee member who tragically died in May 2015, Idea Capital designates one award in Margaret’s name. A designation is made when the committee determines that a project embodies Margaret’s commitment to social justice.  Margaret was an art activist who believed in the power of art as a change agent. 

The award is given at the discretion of the Idea Capital Steering Committee. 

What is the profile of artists who receive Idea Capital awards?

Idea Capital recognizes and supports artists in all disciplines who are at the forefront of experimentation and innovation in form, process, and content. Artists at all stages of their careers are considered for awards.

Do I need to propose a project to receive an award?

Yes. Although Idea Capital takes an artist’s existing body of work into consideration, the award stipend is meant to support a specific experimental or innovative project. The stipend is not designed to support an artist’s general, ongoing practice unconnected to a specific project.

What types of projects are funded?

All creative projects are considered, including but not limited to: visual art, performing arts, installations, literature, digital media, theatre, independent curatorial projects, and films. Idea Capital also supports many forms of research and development, including travel, residencies, and so forth when tied to completion of a specific project. Finally, awards may support discrete early-stage processes–such as casting calls, archival research, materials testing, specialized studio construction, etc.–in preparation for larger projects.

What types of projects are not funded?

• Idea Capital does not grant awards to artists whose projects are not experimental or innovative in nature. We do not support projects in which the form, process, and content are all executed in traditional ways.

• We do not grant awards to artists whose projects are mainly pop culture in nature and are geared toward mainstream audiences. Pop culture projects executed in innovative ways or for non-traditional audiences may be considered.

• Idea Capital does not support projects that are primarily educational in nature, particularly those geared toward traditional art forms taught in traditional ways.

• We do not support projects in which art is used primarily as therapy or rehab, although we do support projects with a therapeutic dimension within a larger artistic context.

• We do not fund non-artistic projects such as straightforward activism, traditional writing on non–art-related topics, technology development, and so forth. However, an artistic project that includes any of these aspects is eligible.

• We do not support regranting initiatives. We do not award artists whose project is designed primarily to redistribute the funds to other populations.

• We do not fund projects that are not primarily driven by individual artists, artist collectives, or cultural producers. For example, we do not fund corporate initiatives or non-art activities in which art plays a minor or superficial role. We ask that the applicant be the person who initiates the artistic vision.

Do I have to propose a new project or can I propose a project already in progress?

You may propose a project that is ongoing or already in progress. However, the committee is unlikely to award funds for a project that is already complete. The committee also does not fund general artistic practice unconnected to a specific project.

What expenses are eligible for funding?

Because awards are for research and development of new ideas, Idea Capital funds should be used to pay for expenses related to new works, such as materials, equipment, fabrication costs, artist fees, and professional fees. Idea Capital funds cannot be used for aspects of the project that are not part of the creative expression, such as standard framing, printing for completed writing, or mounting of completed exhibitions and performances outside of Atlanta.

How much money can I request?

As of 2026, applicants will no longer apply for a specific amount. Idea Capital awards are allocated based on the scope of the proposed project. Catalyst Awards carry a stipend of $1000, and Vanguard Awards carry a stipend of $2500. The amount is standardized for all recipients. Applicants do not apply for specific awards.

How precise does my budget need to be?

We ask for a general scope of the full budget of your project for two purposes: (1) to determine the overall size of your project and (2) to assess whether your understanding of the budgetary needs is realistic given your description of the project. We do not need every line item; but we do need to know how you plan to use your Idea Capital award.

Who is eligible to apply?

All individual working artists 20 years and older living in metro Atlanta can apply. Artist collectives may also apply, as well as cultural producers such as curators, nonprofit administrators, and educators. Students may apply for endeavors that are outside of the academic process and must show an ongoing commitment to the Atlanta arts community. Awards may not be used to support thesis projects or exhibitions.

Awards are designated exclusively for projects that will be completed or have been substantially developed by an individual artist or an artist collaborative, not by an institution or an established organization.

How many applications may I submit?

Individual artists may submit one application only. An artist may submit an individual application and simultaneously be involved in an artist collective with a separate application, as long as the two projects are distinct and separate.

What is considered a collective or a collaborative?

An artist collective is any ad hoc or permanent collection of artists in which all participants have substantial input into the overall vision and execution of the proposed project. The collective can be named or unnamed, temporary or permanent.

An individual artist who hires or recruits other artists primarily to fulfill the lead artist’s artistic vision is not considered a collective. Curators, choreographers, playwrights, filmmakers, and others typically coordinate the work of other artists, but would not be considered a collective unless the other artists have equal or nearly equal input into areas of the project beyond their own limited, specialized role. Groups in which participants are paid employees of the institution are not generally considered collectives.

How are the applications evaluated?

Idea Capital applications are reviewed by the Idea Capital Steering Committee. In addition, a guest panelist drawn from our pool of donors serves on the panel. Applications are judged based on several criteria, including the quality of the idea and its relevance to Idea Capital's goal to support new and innovative work, project feasibility, and overall quality of the application. Panelists determine which award artists receive. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

How is Idea Capital funded?

Idea Capital is entirely funded by people who want to build our community. We provide awards each year based on the success of our annual fundraising campaign. 

Can artists who make a donation to Idea Capital also apply for an award?

Yes. Awards are made without regard to past or present contributions to the award fund. Contributions will not affect your chances of winning positively or negatively. 

What if my application is late?

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for an award. 

I already received an Idea Capital award. When can I apply again?

Artists must wait three years after receiving an award to apply again. For example, if you applied in 2025 and received an award, you may reapply in 2028.

Is there a workshop or an Idea Capital steering committee liaison to help with applications?

At this time, we are all volunteers and do not have the ability to assist in all the ways that we might like to. There are, however, some resources on this site that may help you. Read through the FAQs on this page and research previous grant winners to get a better idea of the kind of work we're likely to fund. NYFA.org is a recommended resource for pointers in how to apply for an artist award. This article at Sketch Abroad contains many helpful hints. You can also contact local and regional arts commissions for additional support. Jackie Battenfield's The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love (Da Capo Press) is another great resource. 

What if my funded project can't make it to realization?

If the project does not reach fruition, we do not ask that the funds be returned. However, Idea Capital encourages cultural producers to be serious about ideas and commitments. 

I produce theater events and Equity rules forbid recording of performances. Are still photos and playbills acceptable as work samples?

Yes. Plus any other supporting material you think helps your case such as a script excerpt or set design schematics. 

Is there any way to exceed the word limit to explain my idea?

No. We prefer concise explanations, and more verbose writing will not help your application. 

If I win an Idea Capital award, what does Idea Capital expect from me?

We ask that awardees acknowledge their Idea Capital funding in printed and electronic materials wherever sources of support are listed. Logos can be made available to you for that purpose. We also ask for an informal update on the progress of your project after 6 to 9 months. Finally, we ask that you become part of the Idea Capital community, including investing whatever you can in future rounds of funding for other artists and participating in our annual campaign party.