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)
States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Counties: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/08/2022
Size of the Grant: $500 to $10,000
Details:
The NEST program continues to best respond to the current state of arts presenting. Potential applicants should review guidelines and eligibility carefully prior to applying. Applicants are also highly encouraged to contact NEFA staff to confirm that their project fits the program.
There are three distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply.
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 Criteria
The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the criteria. NEST 3 projects will be assessed on the individual strength of each partner’s application and the collective strength of the tour. The funding criteria are:
- Clear rationale for how the project aligns with the organization’s arts programming goals and its significance for the community.
- Collaborative planning among tour partners and artists. The featured artist(s) should be included in project planning. (Applicable for NEST 2 & 3 only).
- Additional activities beyond the performance, which provide opportunities for the artist(s) in this engagement to meaningfully connect with various sectors of the community. Cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged.
- Expands access to the arts for all New England communities, including rural and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. NEFA acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, and geography, and strives to counter those inequities in our work.
Funding Information
NEST grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. 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. In the March 2022 grant cycle, 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).
- Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
- The federal government now requires that all NEFA organizational grant recipients supported by federal funds register for DUNS numbers. If you are unsure if the applicant has a DUNS number.
- 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). Please visit our Arts & Accessibility page for details.
- Maintain an updated profile in the CreativeGround directory for their cultural nonprofit. See NEST Presenter Profile Recommendations for instructions. If the applicant nonprofit is not a cultural or arts-based organization, please contact Falyn Rose Elhard (they/them/theirs) to confirm your organization’s qualification for a CreativeGround profile.
- 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.
For more information, visit New England States Touring (NEST) Grant.
