Rhizome 2026 Microgrants ($500-$1500)

If you are seeking funds to help realize a creative project related to digital art and networked culture, consider applying to Rhizome’s annual microgrants open call. Since 2014, Rhizome has awarded small grants ($500-$1500) to support the creation of new web-based works. In recent years, awarded projects have included a multilingual archive of printed “Internet directory” books, a browser-based adventure game where you care for “small but alive” creatures, a free pop-up school in Portland, hacking inactive Twitter accounts to acquire the username “everyoneisugly,” and many more.

As in previous years, Rhizome aims to think expansively about what constitutes art online. Everyone is encouraged to apply, and you do not need to identify as an artist or have previously made art using digital technologies to be eligible.

This year, they invite proposals in the following categories, PERMANENCE, presented in partnership with Larva Labs, MISUSE, HANDMADE, and CO-OP. They are also offering an additional grant, the Terrell Davis Microgrants Fund, which you can learn more about below.

Proposals will be reviewed by Rhizome Staff and is juried Larva Labs + Natalie Stone, Joygill Moriah, Herdimas Anggara, Rahel Aima, and Annie Rauwerda.

The Terrell Davis Microgrants Fund

This year, Rhizome is partnering with Joygill Moriah and Liz Mputu (LVLZ Healing Hub) to offer additional annual grants for artists who exemplify the legacy of digital artist and curator Terrell Davis. This fund aims to support work that speaks to Black and Afrodiasporic experiences, and projects in any category may opt-in to receive additional funding through this award.

Terrell Davis was a self-taught artist, designer, and curator who, before even entering college, had developed an expansive body of work that foreshadowed how many digital artists work today. Terrell championed digital art not only through his own prolific and singular practice but also through his numerous collaborations with other artists.

He platformed internet artists and musicians through TenSquared, the virtual gallery he co-founded with Joygill Moriah at 16 years old; researched and archived early 2000s digital cultural history as a founding member of the Y2K Aesthetic Institute; and developed his euphoric artistic style that celebrated Black and queer creative expression through collaborations with PC Music and nightlife collectives such as Club Quarantine. His distinct voice, which incorporated early 2000s internet aesthetics such as vaporwave and seapunk, led to commercial design and VFX work for major brands like Nike and Opening Ceremony.

Moving fluidly between digital art, commercial design work, curation, and community-building, Terrell modeled the hybrid practice that has since become common among artists working online. As a memory institution for digital art, Rhizome hopes to honor Terrell’s legacy and influence through this annual fund.

Rhizome is partnering with registered nurse and digital artist, Liz Mputu (LVLZ Healing Hub), who helped to co-envision, develop the grant, and will be funding the reward for it this year.