What Can We Do?

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What Can We Do? (WCWD), presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4), is a grant program for artists creating community-care projects that engage and support Asian communities and other communities of color in NYC. Our communities continue to face challenges from the lingering effects of COVID, lack of widespread support for Palestinian communities, and ongoing anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiment. Mutual aid groups, direct service organizations, and community leaders have stepped up to care for elders and other vulnerable members across the city. Cross-cultural solidarity is essential to building a strong ecosystem of care. WCWD? provides a platform for artists to contribute to this care ecosystem, either by complementing existing services or creating new offerings.

PROGRAM GOALS
A4 will select a minimum of 15 NYC-based artists as project awardees. Each artist receives $1,500 to develop and implement creative projects that engage, support, and care for AAPI and other communities of color in New York City. Please see eligibility requirements below for more details. The project engagements must be completed within a four-month period (Feb-June 2026). Projects may take many forms such as interactive musical performances for seniors, leading workshops with youth to create zines that reinforce a pride in their heritage, and organizing creative activities in support of the Palestinian community or that strengthen solidarity between AAPI and other communities.

Learn more about past projects here.

INFORMATION SESSION
An information session for those interested in applying will be held on Tuesday, November 18 from 12:00–1:00pm ET via Zoom. RSVP here.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Participants will:

• Carry out project engagement(s) between February 2–June 5, 2026, with periodic progress updates to A4
• Attend one welcome meeting with cohort and A4 (virtual)
• Attend one mid-term check-in (virtual, optional)
• Submit a one-page final report including two photographs, community served, impact, and next steps
• Present final project at public share-out (in-person or virtual)
• Receive $1,500 honorarium (split into two installments)
• Receive access to Materials for the Arts

Timeline:

• Nov 12, 2025 – Application opens
• Nov 18, 2025 – Pre-submission Info Session via Zoom (12–1pm ET)
• Jan 8, 2026 – Application deadline (11:59pm ET)
• Jan 30, 2026 – Awardees selected and notified
• Early Feb 2026 – A4 sends project proposals to community partners
• Feb 2–June 5, 2026 – Project implementation period
• Feb 5, 2026 – Welcome Meeting (mandatory)
• April 2026 – Midterm check-in (optional)
• June 12, 2026 – Final reports due
• June 16, 2026 – Public share-out (tentative)

PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
In the application, applicants are asked to share a project idea and to identify a community and/or community organization you’d like to work with or serve. You are not required to partner with a community organization, but we’ve found partnerships can be valuable in securing space and reaching the target audience. If selected, you have flexibility to adjust your project idea and/or community as long as you communicate these updates to A4.

A4 can facilitate introductions to approved community organizations in Flushing, Queens or Chinatown, Manhattan (see list below). You may indicate your preferences in your application. We’ll do our best to match awardees with organizations, but cannot guarantee placement.

Approved Community Organizations:

Chinatown, Manhattan

• Chatham Square Public Library
• University Settlement
• Hamilton Madison House

Flushing, Queens

• Glow Cultural Center
• Queens Botanical Garden
• YWCA Queens

Learn more about the organizations here.

PROGRAM SUPPORT
This program is presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) and supported by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to Council Members Christopher Marte and Sandra Ung. Projects supporting Palestinian creators and their communities and cross-cultural solidarities are supported by the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice.

Requirements

WHO CAN APPLY
Are you a NYC-based artist, educator, community leader, or organizer interested in creating projects that support and care for AAPI and other communities of color? Want to address anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiment but unsure where to start? Your skills and talents can make a difference, and we want to hear from you. WCWD? seeks at least 15 participants representing diverse artistic practices, social justice expertise, organizing approaches, and lived experiences.

Eligibility Requirements:

• NYC resident, primarily based in NYC during the program period
• At least 21 years old
• All artistic disciplines and experience levels welcome; no prior organizing experience required
• Demonstrate willingness or interest in community work and care for vulnerable populations

Your project must:

• Benefit communities in Chinatown, Manhattan (District 1); and/or Flushing, Queens (District 20); and/or support Palestinian creators and their communities; and/or strengthen AAPI and cross-cultural solidarities
• Center community building, healing, reflection, and joy and not be solely reactionary to crisis or protest
• Take place between February–June 2026
• Preference given to projects demonstrating intention to build ongoing community relationships and to applicants who haven’t previously received this award (though anyone can apply).

SELECTION CRITERIA
After eligibility screening, the A4 team evaluates applications based on:

• Community Impact – Will your project meaningfully support and care for AAPI, or communities of color in relationship with AAPI communities? Do you have existing relationships or desire to build long-term connections with these communities? Do you understand the issues they face?
• Outreach Strategy – Do you have a clear plan to reach community members? Does your strategy align with your project scope and the goals/values of the communities you’re serving?
• Project Development and Creativity – Does your project demonstrate innovation, imagination, and creativity? Will WCWD help you realize or shape your vision?
• Ability to Commit and Viability – Is your project achievable within the four-month timeline?

We strive for balance across geography, populations served, and artistic disciplines.

Application Instructions

Click HERE to access the online application through Jotform.

Please find a document with FAQ, application (text-only), and additional information about community partners HERE.

Questions? Email programs@aaartsalliance.org.