USArtists International
Introduction
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE
The USArtists International (USAI) program has received a notice of funding termination from the National Endowment for the Arts. If you are a USAI grantee and your grant has been impacted by this termination, staff will be in touch regarding next steps.
Mid Atlantic Arts will be requesting reconsideration of this decision from the National Endowment for the Arts. We do not know what the outcome of that process will be but want to give grantees the time to plan accordingly.
We are so sorry to share this news and know how devastating this will be to performing artists across the country. We will share more information as it becomes available.
About USArtists International
USArtists International® supports in-person performances by artists from any state or territory in the U.S. at engagements at international festivals, global presenting arts markets, and other eligible engagements outside of the United States. The program funds individuals and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines.
Mid Atlantic Arts is committed to the development and expansion of both the careers and artistic goals of U.S. performers by providing connections to audiences, presenters, curators, and their peers through the USAI program. By elevating the voices that reflect a vibrant array of creative expression, we are able to celebrate and share the diversity and imagination of the United States.
Grant support range: Matching grants of up to $11,000 toward eligible travel expenses.
Eligibility and Schedule
Eligibility
Applications to USAI must meet eligibility criteria in each of the following three areas to be eligible for the program:
- Artist Eligibility
- International Tour Eligibility
- Engagement Eligibility
Please see the Guidelines below for the full list of eligibility requirements.
Schedule
This is an annual opportunity. There is one application round this year:
CLOSED – Deadline: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 by 11:59 PM Eastern
For projects taking place between June 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
Fiscal Sponsor approval and letters of invitation are due by March 5, 2025.
Guidelines and Application
Guidelines, Work Sample Prep, Narrative Preview, and FAQ’s
Program Guidelines have been refreshed and include updated application review criteria, simplified eligibility guidelines, and a 1:1 grant matching requirement. There is one deadline for USAI this program year. All applications will need to include at least one festival or performing arts market engagement, but can now include up to two standard performances outside of the required festival/market engagement.
The Guidelines below are for information purposes only. The deadline for the 2025 USAI program was Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
- USArtists International Guidelines 2024 – 2025 (PDF – opens in a new tab)
- USArtists International Guidelines 2024 – 2025 (Word – opens in a new tab)
- Spanish Language PDF: USAI – Directrices y Bases de la Convocatoria 2024 - 2025
- Spanish Language Word Doc: USAI – Directrices y Bases de la Convocatoria 2024 - 2025
- Work Sample Preparation Guide (PDF - opens in a new tab)
- Work Sample Preparation Guide (Word – opens in a new tab)
- USArtists International FAQ (PDF - opens in a new tab)
- USArtists International FAQ (Word - opens in a new tab)
Display caption
A dancer in a brightly colored sari crouches in profile to the right. Behind her a group of musicians sits against the wall of a rehearsal studio.
See the full list of 2024 USAI Spring round grantees.
Panelists
For this program, Mid Atlantic Arts works with a panel of independent reviewers to recommend applications for funding. To be considered as a panelist for this and other programs, complete our Panelist Interest Form. You only need to complete the form once to be considered for multiple programs. Click here to access the Panelist Interest Form.
Mid Atlantic Arts panelists serve as individuals and their professional affiliations are listed solely for context. Affiliations and locations were correct at the time of panel service.
2023-2024 Panelists
2022-2023 Panelists
2021-2022 Panelists
2020-2021 Panelists
Grant Matching Requirement
Grants must be matched on a 1:1 basis. This means that your share of project costs is 50% of eligible project expenses up to the maximum grant limit, plus all remaining costs not met by the grant. The required match can include:
- Confirmed artist fees from festivals/engagements
- Additional funds from festivals/engagements being paid to you that you will use for flights, per diems, or lodging
- Personal or organizational funds to be used toward eligible project expenses
- Funds from other funders or non-federal grants to be spent on eligible project expenses
The match may not include Federal funds or in-kind (non-financial) contributions, and the required match may not be used to match other Federal funds, whether they are received directly from a Federal agency or indirectly, such as through a state agency or other entity. See the guidelines for additional information, and a template will be made available here to help confirm the match before filling out the full application.
Fiscal Sponsorship
USArtists International guidelines require applicants without 501(c)3 nonprofit status to apply using a US-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Nonprofit organizations serving as fiscal sponsors must provide this service as part of their regular operations, and this service must be available to any artist that meets the respective organizations’ published criteria for fiscal sponsorship. Fiscal sponsors do not have to be located in your state of residence. The links provided below are resources for potential applicants and the organizations are not affiliated or endorsed by Mid Atlantic Arts. Fiscal sponsors do not have to be found through these resources in order to meet USArtists International guidelines. To learn more about fiscal sponsorship and securing a fiscal sponsor, visit:
Fiscal Sponsorship 101: Fiscal Sponsorship Resources by Grantspace / en Español
Information on seeking and providing fiscal sponsorship: National Network of Fiscal Sponsors
A non-comprehensive directory of fiscal sponsors nationwide: San Francisco Study Center’s Fiscal Sponsor Directory
Recorded Webinars
Webinars
USAI Tips and Pointers
Join this webinar to learn helpful tips on how to use the Mid Atlantic Arts grant portal to submit your USArtists International application.
- Wednesday, January 8, 2025 1:30 PM ET | View Recording Here
USAI Program Overview
- Spanish Language USAI Webinar Recording, September 2024: View Recording Here
- English Language USAI Webinar Recording, October 2024: View Recording Here
Manage Your Grant
Learn more about managing your USArtists International grant.
