Creative Unrestricted 2027 - Application Form
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Applications are open for the 2027 Manhattan Arts Grant cycle!
About Creative Unrestricted
Creative Unrestricted is a Manhattan Arts Grants program that provides unrestricted funding to Manhattan-based individual artists, artist collectives, and small- to mid-sized arts organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000. The program is designed to strengthen long-term sustainability for artists and cultural organizations that play vital roles in local creative ecosystems.
The program welcomes applications from organizations and artists working within the performing arts field, including all cultural traditions and creative practices in dance, music, theater, and multidisciplinary performance. Funding is intended for artists and small arts organizations with sustained bodies of work who often fall between early stage project grants and the relatively small number of large scale institutional funding opportunities available in the field. Funds may be applied towards building organizational capacity, administrative infrastructure, or the broader conditions required to develop high-quality artistic work.
Creative Unrestricted funding is provided in part by the Howard Gilman Foundation and an anonymous foundation.
Thinking of applying?
View and download Program Guidelines:
Preview a copy of the application questions to see what information you’ll need to prepare here.
Attend a Virtual Information Session presented in English and ASL. This session is for those who want to get a deeper understanding of how to create an application. A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. Transcripts will be available in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
- RSVP Here: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 6-7pm EST
Ready to work on your application?
Utilize our suite of virtual and in-person applicant support offerings to help you build the strongest application possible!
Join us at an Applicant Lab in-person to get your questions answered, technical assistance, and help with creating any part of your application. These are informal drop-in sessions to connect with our team and work alongside fellow applicants.
- RSVP Here: Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 3-6pm EST
- RSVP Here: Abrons Arts Center, Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 5-8pm EST
- RSVP Here: A.R.T./New York, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 5-8pm EST
- RSVP Here: Belongó | Afro Latin Jazz Alliance of NY, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 2-5pm EST
Attend our Virtual Office Hours to receive live guidance from LMCC staff before the deadline. This is for applicants who are actively working on their materials.
- RSVP Here: Tuesday, October 27th, 12-2pm EST
- RSVP Here: Thursday, October 29th, 2-4pm EST
- RSVP Here: Thursday, November 5th, 4-6pm EST
- RSVP Here: Monday, November 9th, 12-2pm EST
- RSVP Here: Tuesday, November 10th, 2-4pm EST
Contact us by email. We want you to feel clear, confident, and supported as you move through the process. Email: creativeunrestricted@lmcc.net anytime and we’ll respond as quickly as possible in order of receipt.
FAQs are also available in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish here.
Submission Deadline
Applications must be received by November 12, 2026 at 6 p.m. EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.