Rhizome Open Call micro grants - media arts

For nearly 30 years, Rhizome has supported digital art that has helped to shape contemporary conversations about technology and culture. In an era of platform monopolies, algorithmic manipulation, and AI-generated content, artists have become essential voices in debates about digital rights, community ownership, and technological futures. They're not just creating objects for gallery walls, but participating within an expanded understanding of artistic practice.

Our 2025 Microgrants ($500-$1500) support creators experimenting with alternatives for digital culture, from community-owned platforms to algorithmic realities. We're looking for projects that fit four themes: 

• Network Commons (reimagining how we connect), 
• Public Personas (navigating fame and identity in algorithmic environments), 
• Narrative Systems (breaking free from traditional interaction mechanics), and 
• Synthetic Agents (collaborating with other intelligences). 

The Rhizome Microgrants are funded by small donations from our community; thanks to a special grant from Octant, we also have an add-on grant available for any project that relates to the theme of “open internet.” (See details on the webpage below the details for each submission  category)

Submissions will be reviewed by a combination of rhizome staff and an extended panel of guest jurors: Francis Tseng, Constant Dullaart, Hundred Rabbits, and Claire L. Evans. In addition to receiving funding, awarded grant recipients will have the opportunity to present work to fellow artists and community members, as well as receive feedback for in-progress work. Select awardees are considered for rhizome programming, exhibitions, and potential inclusion in ArtBase, rhizome’s archive of digital art.

We're looking for compelling ideas and creative vision, regardless of your technical or demographic background. Artists, hackers, researchers, game masters, designers, storytellers, tinkers, community builders, scientists, archivists, culture workers, and dreamers are all invited to apply.

If you have questions about the program, they might have already been answered on our FAQ page for microgrants. Otherwise, we'll have an infromation session x micro-grantwriting guide event on September 29, 2025 @ 10am EST! If interested in learning more about the program and process, please RSVP!

Apply by October 10th!