These funding projects bring a traditional artist/ensemble and a scholar/folklorist for multi-day residencies in Southern communities.
View Full GuidelinesThe deadline for this grant program has passed. The guidelines below are for reference only.
Traditional Arts Touring Grants aim to increase the public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the traditional arts in the South by bringing artists together in Southern communities. Traditional Arts Touring Grants are available for requests from $1,000 up to $5,000. This program requires a 1:2 match. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until available funds are depleted.
The South is home to an abundance of traditional art forms whether they are indigenous to the region, or reflect the traditions of recent immigrant communities. Traditional arts are shared aesthetics, practices and values of families, geographic communities, occupational groups, ethnic heritage groups, etc. Traditional arts are learned orally, or by observation and imitation, often through a master artist instructing an apprentice. They are usually maintained without formal instruction or academic training. Some traditional arts have a deep-rooted history with little change, while others are constantly evolving and adapting to their changing environment.
Examples of traditional art forms (performing and visual arts) being practiced in the South include Afro-Cuban batá drum, Catawba pottery, Zydeco music, Indian Bharatha Natyam dance, Anglo American quilting, Peruvian retablos, African American gospel music, Chinese zheng, Cherokee storytelling, and Minorcan netmaking, among others.
The Traditional Arts Touring Grant Program works to increase the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the traditional arts in the South, through funding projects that bring a traditional artist/ensemble and a scholar/folklorist for multi-day residencies in Southern communities.
This funding program is open to a wide variety of organizations, including community cultural organizations, schools/colleges/universities, libraries, museums, presenters, etc. The program serves both communities and traditional artists. Priority consideration is given to support new applicants and underserved communities.
South Arts staff can also direct you to potential resources and networks to identify traditional artists and scholars/folklorists. Applicants are strongly advised to contact Teresa Hollingsworth (Director, Film and Traditional Arts), thollingsworth@southarts.org or 404-874-7244 x 14 to discuss your project before you submit your application.
The following is a top-level list of the main eligibility requirements necessary to be considered for a Traditional Arts Touring Grant. Please refer to the full list of eligibility requirements in the program's Guidelines.
A full list of eligibility criteria and other project requirements is provided in the guidelines below.
Due to COVID-19, in-person project activities may not be possible. Applications will be accepted for virtual presentations and educational activities.
While preparing your Traditional Arts Touring Grant application, please refer to the following guidelines.
You can request a review of the method for South Arts’ decisions concerning grant applications through the Appeals Process. If you did not receive funding or if your grant award was rescinded or reduced, you may submit an appeal based on the criteria listed below. Incomplete applications are not eligible for the appeals process. Dissatisfaction with the denial or amount of an award is not sufficient reason for an appeal.
An applicant not funded may appeal South Arts’ decision if the applicant can demonstrate that the application was rejected for any of the following reasons:
If an applicant’s funds were rescinded or reduced, the applicant may appeal South Arts’ decision if the applicant can demonstrate that (a) the project activities outlined in the application were performed, and (b) the contract terms and conditions were followed and fulfilled.
To appeal a funding decision, first contact, Teresa Hollingsworth, to review considerations affecting South Arts’ decision. If you believe that you have grounds for an appeal, you must submit your appeal, in writing, to South Arts’ Executive Director, no later than 15 calendar days following the receipt of the electronic notice from South Arts. The submission should contain evidence to support one or more of the allowable grounds for appeal. The decision on an appeal will be made by the Executive Director, who will render a decision within 30 days of the appeal.
Mail your appeal to:
South Arts
ATTN: Executive Director
1800 Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 808
Atlanta, GA 30309
Applications are reviewed and funding adjudications are made using the following criteria to evaluate each application:
Please carefully follow these important instructions.
Attachments: Please plan with plenty of time to receive and upload these required documents to eGrant.
Proof of Government Status (if applicable)
If you are a governmental entity, please provide your government affirmation letter affirming your organization is a unit of government. For nonprofit presenters, you do NOT need to upload your tax-determination letter; your tax-exempt status will be verified by a third party entity such as GuideStar.
Letter of Intent/Contract
The letter of intent or contract between the 1) artist(s), 2) scholar/folklorist and 3) presenting organization must state the service (including the educational component), dates and fee (signed by all three parties).
Applicants are required to submit the following materials:
All grant applications must be submitted online using the eGrant system. We recommend that you visit the site early to create your account and become familiar with the system. Complete your application in eGrant and upload the required materials as detailed below.
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by email within six weeks of the deadline.
Applicants must agree to the Contract Terms of Agreement for TAT Grants, Assurance of Compliance, and Federal Suspension and Debarment Requirements prior to submission.
After reviewing program guidelines, log in to eGrant to apply for a Traditional Arts Touring Grant, edit an application in process, and submit any required reports.
Log in to eGrantReview recipient terms and conditions, download the appropriate logos, access final reporting requirements, and more.
Manage Your GrantFor questions about Traditional Arts Touring Grants, contact program director Teresa Hollingsworth.
Contact Us