Mid Atlantic Tours Program

Mid Atlantic Tours is a grant program operated by Mid Atlantic Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists and presenters throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and international partnership with Ibermúsicas, the program supports touring engagements of international performing artists, specifically those from Ibero-American countries. The program aims to enhance access to high-quality performing arts for regional communities while fostering meaningful engagement between artists and audiences. Each season, Mid Atlantic Tours presents a curated roster of international artists eligible for subsidized bookings by presenters within the region. The core objective of Mid Atlantic Tours is to enable nonprofit arts presenters in the region to bring exceptional international talent to their communities. The grant offers up to 50% of artist compensation, including fees, travel, lodging, and per diem, with a minimum award of $1,000. Additionally, up to $2,000 in funding is available to cover direct project expenses such as accessibility accommodations, marketing, technical support, and staff time. Eligible projects must include at least two distinct engagement activities, one of which must be a public performance of at least 30 minutes. Other engagement formats may include lectures, master classes, discussions, or participatory workshops. Fundraisers are not considered eligible activities. The grant is open to presenters located in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and associated Native nations. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, state or local government units, or federally recognized tribal governments. Fiscal sponsorship is not permitted. Organizations must demonstrate the capacity to manage logistics and reporting, and must be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts at the time of application. Applications to Mid Atlantic Tours are non-competitive and available only to presenters who have successfully confirmed engagement terms with one of the Roster Artists. The current roster includes Las Áñez (Colombia) and Fabiana Cozza (Brazil), both offering innovative music performances and optional community engagement activities. Presenters must finalize a Letter of Agreement or fully executed contract with the artist’s tour manager by the booking deadline of March 23, 2026. This document must include proposed engagement details, artist fees, and an accessibility planning statement. Once booking terms are confirmed, Mid Atlantic Arts will invite eligible presenters to complete a short online application in April 2026. Applications will include a narrative description of community engagement plans and a project budget outlining artist compensation and additional eligible expenses. Although all eligible presenters may apply, funding allocation may be prioritized based on regional distribution, service to rural communities, or alignment with artists’ tour goals. Award notifications will be distributed in July 2026, and payments will be issued 30 days prior to the first engagement. The supported project period runs from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. The program is recurring annually, though the 2026–2027 cycle is focused solely on Ibero-American artists and does not include a separate regional artist roster. A final report is required within 30 days of the last engagement, summarizing project outcomes and expenses. Questions about the program may be directed to Program Director Andrew Alness Olson at [email protected] or 410-539-6656 x103.

Book early with artist tour managers as funding is limited and distributed first-come in consultation with managers.