A Grant Program to Promote the Vibrant Diversity of U.S. Artists
Deadline: 22 November 2019
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is inviting applications for its grant program entitled “USArtists International” to support performances by U.S. artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe.
Objectives
- USArtists International is designed to encourage and promote the vibrant diversity of U.S. artists and creative expression in the performing arts by expanding opportunity and exposure to international audiences, encouraging international cultural exchange, and enhancing creative and professional development of U.S. artists by providing connections with presenters, curators and fellow artists.
- The program is committed to the presence of U.S. artists on world stages and aims to extend the reach and impact of professional artists dependent on touring for continued sustainability and career advancement.
Funding Information
USAI provides grants of up to $15,000 towards support of artist fees, travel, accommodations, per diem, shipping and visa preparation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications to USAI must meet eligibility criteria in each of the following three areas to be eligible for the program:
- Applicant Eligibility
- Festival/Performing Arts Market Eligibility
- Engagement Eligibility
- ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
- Eligible applicants must:
- be a dance, music or theater ensemble or individual artist, that work at a professional level; festivals and/or curators cannot apply on behalf of U.S. artists.
- be designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, OR apply using a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor that is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- currently reside in the United States or its territories
- be invited to perform at a significant international festival or performing arts market that meets the eligibility guidelines below
- not have received a USAI grant within the calendar year, regardless of when the festival(s) or market(s) take place
- not be involved in the curation, administration or management of the festival or performing arts market for which they seek funding
- be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents
- meet residency requirements: USAI will only fund performances in which at least half of the performers are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For all projects with international collaborators or accompaniment, at least half of the performers must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and the lead creative artist must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Eligible applicants must:
- FESTIVAL/PERFORMING ARTS MARKET ELIGIBILITY
- Eligible festivals must:
- be sponsored or organized primarily by a non-U.S. based organization
- be curated and not require registration, application, performance or any other type of fees from performers to exceed USD $250.00
- be international in scope with performers representing at least two countries outside the host country, or have a U.S. theme with representation from at least three U.S. ensembles and/or solo performers
- be open and marketed to the general public
- provide the applicant with a signed letter of invitation or signed contract to perform at the festival, stating the details of the festival’s financial or in-kind contributions towards eligible project expenses as identified in the USAI guidelines under Grant Amounts and Eligible Expenses.
- Eligible Performing Arts Markets must:
- meet all festival eligibility requirements listed above with the exception that they do not need to be open and marketed to the general public and that they may charge artists for showcase participation. Please also see the definition of Performing Arts Markets in the Definitions section below.
- Eligible festivals must:
- ENGAGEMENT ELIGIBILITY
- Eligible engagements must:
- pay artists or artists must receive in-kind contributions towards eligible project expenses as defined in the USAI guidelines under Grant Amounts and Eligible Expenses
- be at least 20 minutes in duration, which may be comprised of single or multiple works or excerpts from longer pieces.
- Eligible engagements must:
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.midatlanticarts.org/usartists-international/