Call for Applications: Special Presenter Initiatives (US)

Fee support is available for engagements of performing artists based anywhere worldwide. Engagements include performances as well as community activities that offer meaningful exchanges between touring artists and a presenter’s community.

Mid Atlantic Arts, in partnership with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA), the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP), the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA), and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH), offers a special funding initiative to support the presentation of professional performing artists/ensembles at small and mid-size arts and community organizations within these jurisdictions.

Presenters based in partner states/jurisdictions can receive up to 50% subsidy for the presentation of an artist/company (including artistic compensation, housing, per diem and travel) plus support for other eligible project expenses.

Mid Atlantic Arts is committed to supporting diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible programming in the region. Projects that demonstrate clear mission impact, strong artistry, well-rounded community and artist engagements, and thoughtful and inclusive efforts to engage audiences systemically underserved by the arts are encouraged to apply.

Funding Information

• A presenter may request the following:
  • A fee subsidy up to 50% of the negotiated artist fee for the engagement, but not to exceed $2,000.00 USD (Not to exceed $5,000.00 USD for presenters based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) and no less than $750.00 USD;
  • Other eligible expenses of no more than $2,000.00 USD to support direct project expenses including, but not limited to, program staff salary, direct technical personnel fees, audience development, marketing and promotional expenses, project-specific purchases or consulting related to increasing access for artists with disabilities, staff, audiences or community members, technical and equipment rental expenses for virtual or in-person engagements, artist travel/lodging expenses, and/or expenses related to public health measures for in-person engagements.

Eligible Activities

• Proposed activities must meet the following requirements:
  • All eligible activities must take place during the project period (July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026)
  • Performances that primarily serve a non-public audience (such as K-12 schools, university classes, summer camps, senior centers, etc.) are not considered public performances, although they may be one of the community engagement activities that comprise a Special Presenter Initiatives project.

Ineligible Activities

• Fundraising events, either as part of the public performance or community engagement activity, are not eligible for support.

Eligible Projects

• The presenter is required to include the following activities in their engagement:
  • At least one in-person or virtual performance with the artist that is open to the general public; and
  • At least one community engagement activity. These may include exhibitions, lecture/demonstrations, master classes, panel discussions, pre- or post-performance artist question and answer sessions, residencies, workshops, and interactive engagements over digital platforms.

Geographical Focus

• The applicant must be based in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and the Native nations.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for a Special Presenter Initiatives grant award, presenters must:
  • be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be a unit of state or local government or Federally recognized Indian tribal government;
  • demonstrate organizational administrative capacity to complete all required project components;
  • be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts at the time of application, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents;
  • not be a State/Jurisdictional Arts Agency, considering the adjudication role Agencies play in the selection process for this program.
• Maximum number of applicants per presenter:
  • Presenters based in Delaware, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands may submit applications for a maximum of two Special Presenter Initiatives projects per annual application cycle.
  • Presenters based in Washington, DC and West Virginia may submit applications for a maximum of one Special Presenter Initiatives project per annual application cycle.

For more information, visit Mid Atlantic Arts.