The inaugural class

Introducing the 2026 Heart of Art Cohort

Five artists. Five creative visions. One shared belief in the power of art to connect, preserve, heal, and strengthen communities.

Meet the Artists About the Grant

Heart of Art Grant

Celebrating Creativity With Purpose

The Heart of Art Grant was created to provide meaningful financial support to artists developing projects rooted in creativity, culture, and human connection. Following a thoughtful review of this year’s applications, NICArt selected five artists to receive a $1,000 grant and join the inaugural 2026 Heart of Art Cohort.

Multidisciplinary Visual Artist

Hasti Mousavi

Between Two Homes

Between Two Homes is a series of large-scale paintings exploring migration, identity, womanhood, memory, and belonging.

Drawing from Hasti’s experience of living between cultures, the project reflects on the emotional complexity of carrying multiple languages, histories, and definitions of home. Through figurative painting and symbolic imagery, the series invites viewers to recognize parts of their own stories within the universal search for belonging.

Designer and Visual Storyteller

Nazanin Bakhtiari

NIST

NIST is a contemporary wearable art collection that brings Persian calligraphy, cultural motifs, and visual storytelling into modern fashion.

With more than fifteen years of experience in costume and production design, Nazanin approaches each garment as a narrative object. Her work transforms clothing into a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary life, offering new ways to express identity through design.

Iranian Percussionist and Music Educator

Nariman Assadi

ZAA

ZAA is a multidisciplinary musical storytelling performance inspired by the rich traditions of Lorestan, Iran.

Through live percussion, poetry, oral history, and narrative, the project preserves and reimagines Lorestani musical traditions for contemporary audiences. Centered on universal themes of grief, love, resilience, and memory, ZAA creates a meaningful bridge between ancestral culture and present-day artistic expression.

Process Painting Artist and Facilitator

Mojdeh Salehomoum

Dragonfly

Dragonfly is a community-centered creative wellness program designed to support foster youth and young adults through process painting, movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and guided reflection.

The program creates space for self-expression, confidence, connection, and personal discovery. By combining art with practical tools for emotional awareness and well-being, Dragonfly demonstrates how creativity can become a meaningful source of empowerment and community.

Contemporary Portrait Artist

Houman Pazouki

1001 Portraits

1001 Portraits is a visual anthology honoring influential Iranian artists, writers, musicians, and cultural figures.

Through contemporary portraiture, Houman is building a lasting archive that celebrates creative legacy, preserves cultural memory, and introduces new generations to the people who have shaped Iranian arts and culture. With hundreds of portraits already completed, the project reflects both extraordinary commitment and an ambitious long-term vision.

About the Program

The Heart of Art Grant

The Heart of Art Grant is a NICArt initiative created to support artists seeking financial assistance to bring meaningful creative projects to life.

Applications were considered based on artistic merit, community impact, alignment with NICArt’s mission, project feasibility, and financial need. Each member of the inaugural cohort received a $1,000 award to support the continued development of their selected project.

The 2026 cohort reflects the many forms art can take—from painting, fashion, and music to cultural preservation and community-based creative practice.

5 Inaugural Cohort Members

$1,000 Awarded to Each Artist

2026 Inaugural Grant Year

1 Shared Creative Community

The Grant Is Only the Beginning

Follow Their Journey

Over the coming months, NICArt will share behind-the-scenes moments, works in progress, performances, exhibitions, milestones, and reflections from each member of the cohort.

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With Gratitude

Thank You to Every Artist Who Applied

We are deeply grateful to every artist who trusted us with their work, ideas, and creative ambitions. The quality and range of this year’s applications reminded us how much talent, imagination, and cultural richness exists within our communities. Although we could support only a limited number of projects in this inaugural year, every application helped shape the future of the Heart of Art Grant.

♥

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Your support helps NICArt create opportunities for artists, preserve cultural expression, and bring meaningful creative work into our communities.

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