USArtists International
Introduction
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE
In September, Mid Atlantic Arts received confirmation from the National Endowment for the Arts that a new federal grant would support the 2025-2026 year of the USArtists International (USAI) grant program. With this support, a new deadline for the program has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
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
Deadline: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 by 11:59 PM Eastern
For projects taking place between June 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Letters of invitation are due by March 4, 2026.
Guidelines and Application
Guidelines, Work Sample Prep, Narrative Preview, and FAQ’s
The guidelines are currently being updated and will be made available later this fall. Guidelines below are for informational purposes only as they are for the previous year of the program.
Display caption
Image: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham dancers, Catherine Kirk and Donovan Reed, performing in "Cassette VOL. 1," choreographed by Kyle Abraham at The International Summer Festival in Germany. Credit: Christopher Duggan.
See the full list of 2025 USAI Spring round recommended 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.
2025 Panelists
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
Due to a change in federal grant requirements, fiscal sponsors are no longer allowed as part of this program. Artists without 501(c)(3) status in previous years applied with the help of a fiscal sponsor. Moving forward, these artists will need to apply as an individual (or as an individual on behalf of their ensemble), and will also be liable for any tax burden of receiving the grant. More details will be released alongside the guidelines later in the fall.
Webinars
Webinars will be scheduled for fall of 2025 to cover program eligibility, updates to the program this year, and tips for applying.
Manage Your Grant
Learn more about managing your USArtists International grant.
