Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color

Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color supports folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities of color by investing in artists/practitioners and the community organizations that care for them.

This national funding program, managed by the six US regional arts organizations, offers $15,000 grants for traditional artists/practitioners, and $50,000 grants for community organizations. Grant funds have limited restrictions and do not have to be used for a specific project. They may be used to grow your work and help you support your community’s traditions into the future.

Often called the “art of everyday life,” folklife includes traditional art forms and other creative expressions that reflect the aesthetics, practices, values, and beliefs of community groups. All traditions are connected to the history of the communities that practice them, but they are not just art forms of the past. Instead, they are “living traditions” that adapt to remain relevant in a changing world, including new and emerging traditions.

Individuals and communities use traditional arts to build collective power, engage in healing, and strengthen their identity. Walking Together serves traditional artists/practitioners and organizations that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color.

Traditional artists, practitioners, and keepers of traditional knowledge that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color are encouraged to apply. Self-nomination deadline is Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Apply at midatlanticarts.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp.

For guidelines and additional information, please visit usregionalarts.org/walkingtogether.