OVERVIEW: The Mid-America Alliance makes grants to individual artists and arts organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.
IP TAKE: This accessible arts funder’s grantmaking focuses on nurturing local artists and arts organizations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas and bringing artistic and cultural experiences to underserved communities in these states. In addition to grantmaking, the Alliance offers professional development and mentoring programs to local artists and exchange programs for touring exhibitions and performances. Each program runs its own open application program with specific guidelines and due dates attached to the program page. They’re responsive and approachable, too, should you have general questions.
PROFILE: Created in 1972, Mid-America Arts Alliance works with state art agencies in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas to support artists, arts organizations and communities in the region. Its mission is to partner with and support “artists, organizations and communities to grow access to the arts, culture and creativity.” It supports the arts through grantmaking programs for artists and organizations in the region.
Grants for Visual Arts, Writing, Film, Music, Dance and Theater
The Mid-America Arts Alliance makes grants that provide support to artists and arts organizations for projects and programs that bring arts programs to local community audiences.
- The Artistic Innovations program makes grants to support artists and nonprofits creating innovative and experimental new works with broad outreach.
- Grants are generally awarded in the amount of $15,000 and can be used for expenses related to the creation and public exhibition or performance of the project.
- Artistic Innovation grants prioritize work that can be reproduced and/or performed for multiple audiences and locations.
- New grant seekers should review the application guidelines for individuals or organizations before submitting their letter of intent.
- Catalyze is an initiative to support individual artists in central Arkansas and the Arkansas Delta. The program annually awards grants of $10,000 to 25 artists, who also receive mentoring and management services from program staff. This program accepts applications from October to early December each year. See the program page for details about how to apply.
- The Creative Forces program supports the well-being of ” military-connected individuals who have experienced trauma” through artistic and cultural programming.
- Grants are awarded in the amount of $10,000 for “emerging projects” and $25,000 for “advanced projects.”
- The program also provides networking, learning and professional development opportunities for grantees.
- Visual or performing arts are eligible for this funding, as well as community, higher education and veteran-serving nonprofits.
- Applications are typically accepted from mid-November until mid-January.
- Email questions to creativeforces@maaa.org.
- The Cultural Sustainability program is a pilot conducted in collaboration with the Wallace Foundation to support small arts organizations with expenses related to operations, capacity building or professional development expenses of up to $50,000.
- Exhibits USA aims to bring “an array of arts and humanities experiences” to communities with support for “museum-quality curation, education/interpretation, preparation, and shipping logistics” to local venues. Contact MoreArt@maaa.org or 800-473-3872, ext. 209 for information about how to apply.
- The Folk and Traditional Arts Initiative is still in its earliest stages. The association is currently collaborating with six regional partners to “conduct a region-wide scan of the field” as a “first step in growing and deepening folk and traditional arts in our region.” Sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the website for information about future funding opportunities.
- The Alliance’s Interchange program supports artists working for social change. For each grantmaking cycle, the program provides 16 artists with support for two years, including $20,000 in grants, professional development experiences and mentoring for the duration of the project. Application materials are linked to the program page during the open application period each spring.
- The Engage program supports small to midsize arts and culture groups with “community-centered professional and organizational development that focuses on leadership training” via workshops, coach consultations, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Grants go to organizations in Northwest Arkansas and Houston, TX.
- Artist INC is a program that supports artists working in all disciplines with professional development opportunities and training seminars.
- The Artist Leadership Fellows program is a peer-modeling and mentorship program that offers artists and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines and media to deepen knowledge and professional skills through workshops and small-group events. Fellows are nominated by partners organizations and selected by program staff. See the program page for upcoming events and opportunities.
- Jazz Road seeks to “spread jazz throughout the country, strengthen work opportunities and compensation for jazz artists, and bolster deeper engagement between jazz musicians, presenters and communities.” The program offers two opportunities:
- Jazz Road Tours offers $15,000 grants to develop tours to bring regional Jazz to different parts of the country. Sign up for updates to learn about upcoming opportunities.
- The Jazz Road Creative Residency offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 to support residences to “develop for artistic creation or connecting with audiences.” Sign up for the newsletter to learn about upcoming application cycles.
- The Alliance’s Regional Touring Program supports regional arts venues seeking to “showcase the work of artists from outside their home states.”
- The program specifies that touring artists must be from the multi-state region supported by the alliance, but from outside of the state where the venue is located.
- Organizations that host an artist from a state touring roster receive 50 percent of the artist’s fee, and presenters that book an artist from the region, but who is not on a touring roster, receive 25 percent of the artist’s fee.
- Rural organizations receive an additional 10 percent toward the artist’s fee. Grant seekers should review application guidelines before applying.
- Walking Together is another new program that invests in “folk life in communities of color.” This program focuses on cultural traditions “that adapt to remain relevant in a changing world, including new and emerging traditions” and experiences that promote collective power and healing.
Important Grant Details:
According to its recent tax filings, the Mid America Arts Alliance makes approximately $250,000 in grants each year. Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000, and are generally awarded in set amounts based on the guidelines of the Alliance’s specific funding programs.
- Grantmaking is mainly limited to artists and arts organizations operating in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, but a few organizations from other areas have received funding from time to time.
- Grantmaking is about evenly spread between the visual arts, writing, theater, music and dance.
- The Mid America Arts Alliance runs open application programs for each of its funding programs.
- Application materials, guidelines and due dates are linked to individual program pages.
- For general inquiries, the foundation can be reached via telephone at 816 421-1388.
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