USArtists International
Introduction
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: Grants of up to $11,000 toward eligible expenses. Grants require a one-to-one cost share (or match).
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 Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Guidelines and Application
Program Guidelines have been refreshed. There is one deadline for USAI this program year. Be sure to review artist eligibility as Fiscal Sponsorship is no longer allowed. To learn more, read the guidelines below.
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. As an example, if you were only requesting support for $1,000 in flight expenses, you could request grant support of $500 and then would need to show how you would match those funds with $500 of your own funds to cover the rest of the expense. 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 sponsorship is 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. Review guidelines for additional info, consult a tax professional, and attend this webinar to learn more.
Webinars
All webinars include captioning and will be recorded and released after the fact on YouTube.
USAI Eligibility and Program Overview | Register Here
Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Learn about USAI program guidelines, timeline, and what is needed to be eligible for funding.
USAI Application Tips and Pointers | Register Here
Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 3:00-4:00 PM ET
Join this webinar to discover tips on using the Mid Atlantic Arts grant portal to submit your USAI application.
Taxes for Individual Artists When Receiving Grant Funds | Register Here
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 4:00 -5:30 PM ET
This session, led by Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull, will provide helpful information for artists that will be applying for the USAI program as an individual, and will also be broadly applicable to artists that receive grant funds. Learn about how receiving a grant as an individual could impact your taxes or disability benefits, and hear about possible strategies to minimize your tax burden.
Office Hours
Do you have questions about the USArtists International application process? Our staff is available to answer your questions by email. Or, drop in during our Virtual Office Hours on Zoom. Register in advance and join anytime during the meeting. Multiple people will likely be in the room, all asking questions about USAI. Please note that this is not a webinar.
Thursday, December 18, from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern | REGISTER
Wednesday, January 7, from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm Eastern | REGISTER
Tuesday, February 3, from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern | REGISTER
Wednesday, February 18th, from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern | REGISTER
Manage Your Grant
Learn more about managing your USArtists International grant.
