Apply for 2021-22 USArtists International

Deadline: 09-Sep-21

USArtists International is a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through the generous funding of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Howard Gilman Foundation, and The Trust for Mutual Understanding.

USArtists International supports performances by U.S. artists at impactful international festivals and performing arts marketplaces outside the United States and its territories. The program supports the engagements of exemplary solo artists and ensembles across all performing arts disciplines including dance, music, theater, multidisciplinary work, and folk/traditional arts.

Objective: USArtists International is designed to encourage the presence of U.S. performing artists on international stages and in the global arts community; to support engagements that develop and expand both the careers and artistic goals of U.S. performers by providing connections with presenters, curators, and fellow artists; and to promote justice in the arts community by elevating the diverse voices contributing to the vibrant array of creative expression in the United States.

Funding Information

USAI provides grants of up to $15,000 toward eligible expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

Artist Eligibility
- Eligible applicants must:
  - be a dance, music, or theater ensemble or individual artist, that work at a professional level; festivals and/or curators cannot apply on behalf of U.S. artists;
  - be designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, OR apply using a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor that is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization;
  - currently reside in the United States or its territories;
  - be invited to perform at an impactful international festival or performing arts market;
  - not have received a USAI grant within the calendar year, regardless of when the festival(s) or market(s) take place;
  - not be involved in the curation/programming, administration, or management of the festival or performing arts market for which they seek funding;
  - be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts, with no overdue or outstanding required reports and/or grant documents;
  - and meet residency requirements: USAI funding is only available to performances in which at least half of the performers are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For all projects with international collaborators or accompaniment, at least half of the performers must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and the lead creative artist must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Applicants will be assessed in part on the risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions as provided by the applicant’s Certification and Statement of Assurances in the submitted application and the results of previous audits including adherence to Single Audit requirements as set forth by Federal statutes.
Festival/Performing Arts Market Eligibility
- Eligible festivals must:
  - be curated;
  - be organized primarily by a non-U.S.-based organization that is both financially and curatorially responsible for the festival;
  - not require a registration, application, performance, or any other type of fee or amount paid by performers exceeding USD $250;
  - be international in scope with performers representing at least two countries outside the host country, or have a U.S. theme with representation from at least three U.S. ensembles and/or solo performers;
  - be open and marketed to the general public;
  - and provide the applicant with a signed letter of invitation or signed contract to perform at the festival, stating the details of the festival’s financial or in-kind contributions towards eligible project expenses.
- Eligible Performing Arts Markets must:
  - meet all festival eligibility requirements with the exception that they do not need to be open and marketed to the general public and that they may charge artists for showcase participation.
Engagement Eligibility
- Eligible engagements must:
  - pay artists or provide artists with in-kind contributions towards eligible project expenses as defined in the USAI guidelines under Grant Amounts and Eligible Expenses;
  - and be at least 20 minutes in duration, which may be comprised of single or multiple works or excerpts from longer pieces.