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.

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:

• Early Feb 2026 – A4 sends project proposals to community partners

• Feb 2–June 5, 2026 – Project implementation period

• Feb 5, 2026 – Welcome Meeting (mandatory, virtual)

• April 2026 – Midterm check-in (optional, virtual)

• June 12, 2026 – Final reports due

• June 16, 2026 – Public share-out (mandatory, in-person)