WHAT IS PROJECT CELLULOID?
We are a non-profit focused on supporting and funding human-made art. As AI becomes more prevalent, we believe it is essential to cherish the deeply meaningful act of artistic creation.
With that mission in mind, we fund artists who have an idea for something they want to make that doesn’t use generative AI - and all we ask is that they document their process along the way.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
Technology has been a part of the artistic process forever. Cameras, computers, editing software – these tools are massively helpful and have expedited creation. But those tools always needed you to drive them. The editing software needed you to actually know how to edit, and the camera needed an operator that understood exposure and framing.
Nowadays, that’s changing. You can write a book without the ability to write. You can paint a picture without understanding color or composition. Generative AI is making creation so easy, you don’t actually need to do it yourself if you don’t want to.
There’s something amazing about that. It’s allowing millions of people to explore creative passions they never had the time or money to pursue. But there’s also something saddening about the erosion of the artistic process. That’s important and deeply meaningful to what makes us human.
This does NOT mean that everything made with AI is bad, or that everything human-made is good, we just believe the act of making something needs to be preserved and celebrated – especially when the next generation of young artists will grow up in a world where these tools are ubiquitous. We need those future artists to actually know how to create.
In short, Project Celluloid isn’t anti-AI. It’s just pro-human.
FAQ
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “GENERATIVE AI”?
This refers to tools or software that actually create the material for you. It makes your music, writes your sentences, animates your video, etc.
We’re obviously not asking artists to stop using technology altogether, we just want the creative work to come from you.
WHAT KINDS OF ARTISTS DO YOU FUND?
Just about every kind you can think of. We’ve funded musicians, writers, animators, comedians, illustrators, performance artists and more.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE ARTISTS?
We typically look for artists who are genuinely excited or interested in a specific idea. They have a strong POV and a passion for what they do.
As Project Celluloid grows, so too will the way we select and fund artists. We’ll share details about future grant opportunities when applications open.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A GRANT?
Follow us on Instagram at @projectcelluloid for future opportunities and announcements, or revisit this page, and we’ll update it with future opportunities.
DO ARTISTS KEEP OWNERSHIP OF THEIR WORK?
Yes. We give artists a small budget to put towards their idea, but they retain full ownership. We just ask artists for permission to share the work and the BTS materials so we can celebrate the process and grow the organization.
WHERE DOES MY DONATION GO?
Your donation helps fund artists and showcase their work. The more we raise, the more art we can help create!
ARE DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes. Project Celluloid is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made through our official donation page are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
WHO RUNS PROJECT CELLULOID?
Project Celluloid was founded by writer and actor Matt Linton and is based in Los Angeles. We're also supported by an advisory board of artists and creative professionals who help guide the organization.
Help us fund what's next.
Fund the next artist (opens our donation page)Project Celluloid operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.