South Arts recognizes that as our communities continue to change, the arts play an incomparable role in addressing many of our communal and individual challenges and strengths. Further, the value of partnership, and working together across sectors, brings new opportunity, increased effectiveness, and greater depth to our collective work. Through this program, South Arts seeks to provide significant support to projects developed by partners that harness the power of “Arts & …”.

Cross-Sector Impact Grants is open to all art forms, for partnership projects taking place in one of South Arts’ nine member states, with a priority being given to projects taking place in rural* areas. For FY21, eligible projects will continue to feature “Arts & …”, for example, arts and the military, arts and aging, arts and community revitalization. Applicants may be organizations, units of government, higher educational institutions, or artists.

For projects that did not receive funding through this program in FY20, matching grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded. For these new projects, South Arts encourages applications from new partnerships. However, projects that deepen and expand existing partnerships may also apply. For projects that did receive funding through this program in FY20, matching grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded in order to continue or advance the project. South Arts anticipates that this category of grants will be highly competitive, and that successful applications will be fully funded.

South Arts’ mission is advancing Southern vitality through the arts. This program addresses two of South Arts’ Strategic Goals as outlined in its 2019-2023 strategic plan.

Connect artist and arts professionals in the South to resources that will increase opportunities for success within and outside the region
Advance impactful arts-based programs that recognize and address trends and evolving needs of a wide range of communities in the South.

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Cross-Sector Impact Grants: Letter of Interest due March 30, 2020

South Arts seeks to provide significant support to projects developed by partners that harness the power of “Arts & …”. South Arts recognizes that as our communities continue to change, the arts play an incomparable role in addressing many of our communal and individual challenges and strengths. Further, the value of partnership, and working together across sectors, brings new opportunity, increased effectiveness, and greater depth to our collective work. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for partnerships or projects taking place between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.

Emerging Leaders of Color: Applications due April 17, 2020

To promote representative leadership and equity in the arts, 11 to 13 cultural workers and arts administrators located in seven states in the southern region will be selected for this partnership program between South Arts and our colleague regional arts organization WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation). Building on the success of WESTAF’s ELC program which has been attracting, training, networking and promoting a new generation of diverse arts leaders since 2010, the South Arts program will serve to advance Southern vitality through the arts through leadership development.

Literary Arts Touring Grants: Applications due May 1, 2020

Literary Arts Touring grants support presenting organizations for engagements by guest Southern writers (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry) from outside the presenter’s state. These touring funds support publicly accessible readings and educational activities that provide opportunities for people to participate in the arts. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for projects taking place between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.

Jazz Road Tours moving to rolling submissions
Details and revised guidelines forthcoming
Curtis+Garabedian+Sperrazza, a Jazz Road Tours grant recipient, performing at Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, MI. Photo courtesy of Liz Brauer.
Over the coming days, we will be revising the national Jazz Road Tours program to reflect a rolling submission process for applications instead of the original April 21 deadline. We will be ready and prepared to accept applications on your schedule to support your tours, whether you already have dates booked or need to wait until musicians and presenters are able to plan dates again. We will provide further updates after we finish updating the guidelines and have additional news to share.

Jazz Road, administered by Atlanta-based South Arts, is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The initiative is conducted in partnership with the five other Regional Arts Organizations (Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, and Western Arts Alliance/WESTAF).