What Can We Do? (WCWD)

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. The program began during the COVID pandemic as a response to rising anti-Asian hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment. In 2025-26, the grant expanded to include support for Palestinian creators in New York. For the 2027 iteration, the grant will continue to address the current moment. With recent federal cuts to social programs, AAPI and immigrant communities are more vulnerable than ever, and this program provides agency to artists to empower them to enact change in their own communities through projects that center care, joy, and inspiration.

PROGRAM GOALS
For the 2027 edition, A4 will select up to 20 NYC-based artists as project awardees to receive $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 2027). 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 that strengthen solidarity between AAPI and other communities.

Learn more about past projects.

INFORMATION SESSION
A virtual information session for those interested in applying will be held on Tuesday, November 17 from 12:00–1:00pm ET. Registration is required. A recording will be available on our YouTube channel.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Participants will:

• Receive $1,500 honorarium (split into two installments)
• Receive access to Materials for the Arts
• Carry out project engagement(s) between February 1–June 1, 2027, 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)

Timeline:

• Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Application opens
• Tuesday, November 17, 2026: Information session via Zoom (12–1pm ET)
• Thursday, January 7, 2027: Application deadline (11:59pm ET)
• Friday, January 22, 2027: Awardees selected and notified
• Last week of January 2027: A4 sends project proposals to community partners
• February 1–June 1, 2027: Project implementation period
• Thursday, February 4, 2027: Welcome Meeting (mandatory, virtual)
• April 2027: Midterm check-in (optional, virtual)
• Monday, June 7, 2027: Final reports due
• Tuesday, June 15, 2027: Public share-out (mandatory, in-person)

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 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 the following approved community organizations in Flushing, Queens or Chinatown, Manhattan. 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
• Chinatown YMCA

Flushing, Queens

• Glow Cultural Center
• Queens Botanical Garden
• YWCA Queens
• Flushing Town Hall
• The Boys Club of New York – Abbe Clubhouse
• South Asian Council for Social Services

PROGRAM SUPPORT
This program is presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) and supported by public funds from the New York State AAPI Equity Budget Coalition and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to Council Members Christopher Marte and Sandra Ung.

Requirements

WHO CAN APPLY

Eligibility Requirements:

• NYC-based artists, educators, community leaders, or organizers
• NYC-based artist collectives are also invited to apply (grant amount would be split between collaborators)
• NYC resident, primarily based in NYC during the program period
• You must EITHER

1. live in District 1 or District 20 (District Map Widget)
2. OR serve District 1 or District 20 residents
3. OR propose a project that demonstrates cross-cultural solidarity

• 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 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 2027
• 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

Submit your application through AirTable. Please note the submission form does not save draft responses. We recommend that you write your application first on a document and paste your answers when they are finalized.

View the FAQ, application questions (text-only), and additional information about approved community partners.

If you still have questions, email lxu@aaartsalliance.org.