Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Grants
Introduction
Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects that support the vitality of traditional arts and cultures in the mid-Atlantic region. Non-profit organizations in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, USVI, PR, or WV may apply for $1,000 to $7,000 grants. A 1:1 match is required.
Eligible project activities may include performances, public art collaborations, workshops/trainings, exhibitions, fieldwork/documentation, and creation of new traditional work. Mid Atlantic Arts encourages projects that cross state/territory borders, as well as projects that support or engage underserved or underrepresented artists, practitioners, traditions, or constituents.
Grant support range: $1,000 – $7,000
Eligibility and Schedule
Eligibility
In order to receive Community Projects grants, an organization must:
- Be located in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Native nations that share this geography;
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a unit of state or local government, or a Federally-recognized Indian tribal government. Units of state or local government must provide a document on official letterhead to confirm status as a government entity. Fiscal sponsorship is not permitted for this program;
- Be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents.
Schedule
This is an annual opportunity. The 2023-2024 deadline was June 6, 2023. The 2024-2025 application will be available in Spring 2024.
Guidelines and Application
The guidelines and application preview questions below are for information purposes only. New guidelines will be posted in Spring 2024.
See below for Sample Guidelines, Application, and Webinar Links.
- Download 2023 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Guidelines as a PDF (link opens in a new window)
- Download 2023 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Guidelines as an accessible Word document (click link to download)
- Download a preview copy of 2023 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Application as a PDF (link opens in a new window)
- View a recording of the informational webinar for the 2023-2024 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Grants held in May 2023.
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Image: Jug Face by Jim McDowell. Credit: Courtesy of the artist.
Learn more about the 2023-2024 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Grantees.
Panelists
If you are interested in serving as a panelist for Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects, please email Program Director Ellie Dassler at edassler@midatlanticarts.org with your name and a short bio for consideration.
2023-2024 Program Panelists
Junious Brickhouse
Silverspring, MD
Junious is an internationally recognized scholar practitioner dedicated to the sustainability of Hip Hop Cultures. As a researcher, folklorist, cultural ambassador, mentor, and logistician, Junious currently serves as Director of Next Level, driving the strategic direction of the program’s cultural diplomacy and global conflict transformation initiatives. He comes from a 21-year career as a Logistics Professional in the U.S. Army and later as a Department of Defense contractor. Throughout this time in various international assignments, Junious developed both a military and dance career, eventually rising to positions of leadership in both areas.
Dr. Anna Morel O’Brien
Culpepper, VA
Annamarie Morel is an independent folklorist who works in museums and non-profits. She currently works for Folkstreams as the communications manager, and Treasure Island Museum. Morel received her PhD in American Studies from Penn State University, with a certificate in Ethnography & Folklife, and concentrations in Popular & Folk Culture, and Media Studies & Visual Culture.
Isiah Smallwood
Elmira, NY
Isaiah is a son, a proud husband, a brother, a leader, and more. While he considers himself a student still, most of his peers call him an artist. He is a gospel and R&B artist who leads a faith team at one of the local churches, teaches audio production at a local community center, and was a recent recipient of a NYSCA-sponsored Rural & Traditional Arts Fellowship. He has been involved in many church choirs and worship teams, and even began pursuing music at the collegiate level. He has a very deep love for all types of music but is particularly drawn to R&B, Gospel, and Soul.
