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ArtsCONNECT
ArtsCONNECT supports performing arts touring projects collaboratively developed by presenters working together in the mid-Atlantic region. The tours include performances as well as complementary engagement activities designed to create greater understanding or connections between artists, audiences, and communities.Â
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Photo: AKUTAGAWA is a stage portrait of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, father of the modern Japanese short novel and author of In a Grove, the basis of Akira Kurosawa’s landmark 1950 film Rashomon. Told through the traditional puppetry style kuruma ningyo blended with dynamic video images, AKUTAGAWA is an amalgam of five of his famous short stories. This tour of Koryu Nishikawa V and Tom Lee/Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo Puppet Company was presented by the Japan Society with support from ArtsCONNECT 2023. Credit: Richard Termine
ArtsHERE
Through grants and peer learning opportunities, ArtsHERE invests in organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to increasing access within their practices and programming, with the goal of increasing arts participation for underserved groups/communities, and sharing insights that may inform similar funding programs in the future.
Closed
Multidisciplinary
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
Organizations
501 (c) 3
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
All U.S. States and Territories
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Buen Hombre. Dominican Republic. August 02. 2021. Beach Music Group
CALT Experiences Grants
Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT) Experiences grants fund public-facing projects and events in ARC-designated Appalachian counties of Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that bring community members together around folk and traditional arts practice and cultural knowledge.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Artist/practitioner
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
Appalachian Counties of OH, VA, and WV
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Image: Becky Hill (right) dances with Lou Maiuri (left) a ninety-four-year-old square dance caller from West Virginia at the Circle Up Zine Release Party at the 2023 Appalachian String Band Music Festival in West Virginia. Rachel Eddy plays fiddle. Credit: Abby Huggins.
Cultural Sustainability: Community Roots
Cultural Sustainability, a new grant program offered by the six U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs) in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, provides general operating support to arts organizations rooted in communities of color with annual operating expenses under $500,000.
Closed
Multidisciplinary
Organizations
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Artwork by Uzo Njoku.
Folk and Traditional Arts
Folk and traditional arts reflect the aesthetics, practices, values, and beliefs of community groups, such as families, geographic communities, occupational groups, ethnic heritage groups, faith communities, and more.
Varies across program
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Artist/practitioner
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
Appalachian Counties of OH, VA, and WV
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
OH
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Image: Performers and attendees at the Annual Warren Greek Festival of the St. Demetrios Orthodox Church near downtown Warren in Trumbull County, Ohio. Credit: Jess Lamar Reece Holler.
Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Grants
The Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects designed to support the vitality of traditional arts and cultural communities in the mid-Atlantic region.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Artist/practitioner
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Image: Kulu Mele artists demonstrating West African dance (and drumming, not seen in the photo) at the Baltimore Rhythm Festival. Credit: Ira Bond.
Iber Exchange
Iber Exchange is now part of the Mid Atlantic Tours grant program. For grant details and information on the three international artists touring the region in 2025-2026 with grant support, visit Mid Atlantic Tours.
Closed
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Presenter
Members of Art Agencies
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Image: Alejandro Brittes Quartet. Credit: Courtesy of the artist.
Jazz Touring Network
The Jazz Touring Network (JTN) is a presenter-based membership program that supports professional development, building partnerships, and working together to curate tours that reflect the richness of the field of jazz.
Closed
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Presenter
Members of Art Agencies
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Image: Marc Cary's Go Go Project performs at Malcolm X Park for NEXTfest 2021 with support from Jazz Touring Network member CapitalBop, DC. Credit: Viva Ventura.
Mid Atlantic Tours
Mid Atlantic Tours brings exemplary performing arts ensembles to communities across the mid-Atlantic region.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Performing Arts
Artist/practitioner
Performing Arts Presenter
Members of Art Agencies
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Image: Charlotte Blake Alston giving instructions to children and family members who attended her MAT performance at Montgomery County Community College, PA. Credit: Lou Liguori Photography.
Performing Arts Global Exchange
Open to presenters nationwide, the Performing Arts Global Exchange (PAGE) is an annually curated roster of international performing artists selected to tour to communities across the United States.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
All U.S. States and Territories
NJ
NY
VA
PA
MD
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Image: Vox Sambou performs at DC JazzFest at The Wharf. Credit: DC Jazz Fest.
Special Presenter Initiatives
The Special Presenter Initiatives provide additional opportunities for the support of small to mid-sized performing arts presenters in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Native nations that share this geography.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Presenter
Units of government
Federally-recognized Indian tribal government
DC
DE
PR
USVI
WV
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Image: SPI grantee Choir School of Delaware performs "We Hold These Truths: A Celebration of Black Excellence." Credit: Moonloop Photography.
Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color
Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color supports folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities of color by investing in artists/practitioners and the grassroots organizations that care for them.
Open
Folklife & Traditional Arts
Folk/Traditional Crafts and Visual Arts
Folk/Traditional Dance
Folk/Traditional Music
Open to all
All U.S. States and Territories
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