Mid-America Arts Alliance
/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. It seeks to enrich “the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services.” It supports the arts through a series of grantmaking programs.
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.
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 Artists 360 program makes grants to artists and arts organizations in Northwest Arkansas, specifically in Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian and Washington counties. The program makes professional development grants of $7,500 to practicing artists and $1,500 to student artists. Information about past grantees and the application process are linked to the program page.
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.
Finally, 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.
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 $25,000, 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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