The New England States Touring (NEST) funds performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional, national, and international artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations.
Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $500 to $10,000
Details:
Types of Grants
There are two distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, and NEST 2. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply.
- NEST 1: Funds the public presentation and engagement of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from the artist’s home state
- NEST 2: Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state.
Grant Priorities
- A budget that reflects revenue from a variety of sources, including admissions, sponsorships, private foundations, individuals, and/or government agencies
- NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances and events for the following reasons:
- Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses
- Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has distinct value and that the professionals involved must make a living from their endeavors in order to continue
- Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance
- Admissions purchases provide patron information that can aid in marketing, fundraising, and audience development.
Funding Information
Grants are available in amounts of up to 60% of the artists’ fees and range from $500 to $10,000. Requests below $500 will not be accepted. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. Artists’ fees may include costs for creation of new work, travel, and per diem.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency). Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST
- Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
- The federal government requires that all NEFA organizational grant recipients supported by federal funds register for a SAM.gov UEI (Unique Entity ID).
- Applicants must be able to provide documentation of their compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Maintain an updated profile in the CreativeGround directory for their cultural nonprofit
- A public presentation for literary projects must include a public reading by the NEST-eligible artist
- A public presentation for film projects must include a public film screening with the NEST-eligible artist/filmmaker.
Ineligibility
NEST will not fund:
- Activities and programs which take place exclusively in schools during class time
- Events that are not open to the public and advertised accordingly
- Fundraisers
- Events outside of the six New England states
- Performances in which the performers are primarily students
- Self-produced presentations by artists/ensembles
- Producing organizations inviting a guest artist (such as a conductor or soloist) to perform as part of a performance by the producing organization
- Presentations of projects with funding available through the National Dance Project or National Theater Project.
For more information, visit NEFA.
