Atlanta – South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization, has awarded 68 grants totaling $276,949 to arts organization throughout the South. These funds, made possible through partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, support the presentation of touring performing and literary artists in public performances and readings along with educational activities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
“These funds represent a major step for our organization in pursuit of our newly revised mission statement and strategic plan,” said executive director Susie Surkamer. “We have refocused our grantmaking guidelines to primarily support Southern artists on tour throughout our communities. The talent and artistry created within our nine states is immense, and deserves to be shared.”
Organizations applied for consideration, making cases for the artistic merit of the proposed artists and the ability to develop audiences. An external panel of arts professionals reviewed each application for funding consideration. The grants must be matched at least dollar for dollar by the recipient organization.
These grants represent multiple initiatives by South Arts. Performing Arts Touring grants support engagements of guest Southern artists (theatre, music, opera, musical theatre, and dance) from outside of the presenter’s state. Literary Arts Touring grants support engagements of guest Southern writers (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry) from outside the presenter’s state. Launchpad grants are part of a year-long professional development program for presenters new to the field, and include the opportunity to present artists from an adjudicated roster. Dance Touring Initiative funds are part of an ongoing capacity-building program developing audiences for modern dance and contemporary ballet throughout the region.
“We are so proud to support tours of diverse, talented artists representing the breadth of our region,” continued Surkamer. “Some of the highlights this year include Ranky Tanky, based in coastal South Carolina, blending their Gullah heritage with influences of jazz and funk. Rosie Herrera Dance Theater of Miami is one of the nation’s leading contemporary ballet companies, effortlessly working across genres including hip hop, dance theater, and cabaret. Poet Jericho Brown, an associate professor Emory University in Atlanta, is a leading voice with verses exploring race, masculinity, and community.”
Applications for South Arts touring grants for nonprofit and governmental organizations in the nine-state region open in the fall each year with deadlines in March and May. Additional information and a full listing of grant recipients is available on our website.
About South Arts
South Arts advances Southern vitality through the arts. The nonprofit regional arts organization was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to support the success of artists and arts providers in the South, address the needs of Southern communities through impactful arts-based programs, and celebrate the excellence, innovation, value and power of the arts of the South.
Grant Recipient List:
Alabama:
- Alabama Dance Council of Birmingham received a $6,050 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre in January 2019.
- University of Alabama-Birmingham of Birmingham received a $4,250 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra in February 2019.
- Valley Arts and Entertainment of Huntsville received a $2,916 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Nellie Mack & The Nellie Mack Project in September 2018.
- The Arts Association of East Alabama of Opelika received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
Florida:
- South Florida State College of Avon Park received a $2,059 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Band in January 2019.
- University of Florida Performing Arts of Gainesville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- University of Florida Performing Arts of Gainesville received a $4,244 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Ranky Tanky in October 2018.
- Miami-Dade County – SMDCAC of Miami received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts of Orlando received a $3,650 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Glenis Redmond in February 2019.
- The Artist Series of Tallahassee received a $2,272 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Amy Moretti & Elizabeth Pridgen in April 2019.
- Ballet Vero Beach of Vero Beach received a $3,988 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Core Dance in August 2018.
Georgia:
- University of Georgia of Athens received a $4,144 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Black Violin in March 2019.
- Georgia State University/Rialto Center for the Arts of Atlanta received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- JapanFest of Atlanta received a $1,363 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Matsuriza in September 2018.
- RiverCenter of Columbus received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Savannah Music Festival of Savannah received a $4,719 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Herlin Riley in April 2019.
- City of Toccoa received a $2,000 Launchpad grant to present The Malpass Brothers in January 2019.
- Elm Street Cultural Arts Village of Woodstock received a $2,250 Launchpad grant to present Royal Wood in July 2018.
Kentucky:
- Centre College of Kentucky of Danville received a $4,394 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar in February 2019.
- Save the Grand Theatre of Frankfort received a $3,200 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Tito Puente, Jr. & Melina Almodovar in October 2018.
- Henderson Area Arts Alliance of Henderson received a $2,945 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Anthem Lights in December 2018.
- Henderson Area Arts Alliance of Henderson received a $2,500 Launchpad grant to present Ranky Tanky in August 2018.
- Hindman Settlement School of Hindman received a $1,845 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Nickole Brown, Elizabeth Engelhardt, and Michael Parkerin July 2018.
- Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation of Louisville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Kentucky Center for the Arts Foundation of Louisville received a $3,511 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Abigail Washburn and Wu Fei in January 2019.
- Madisonville Community College of Madisonville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
Louisiana:
- Arts Council of Central Louisiana of Alexandria received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Douglas Manship Sr Theater Complex Holding of Baton Rouge received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Acadiana Center for the Arts of Lafayette received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans received a $6,647 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre in January 2019.
- Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- New Orleans Ballet Association of New Orleans received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
Mississippi:
- Delta State University/Bologna Performing Arts Center of Cleveland received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Delta Children’s Museum of Greenville received a $1,318 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Bits N Pieces Puppet Theatre in September 2018.
- Yoknapatawpha Arts Council of Jackson received a $1,002 Performing Arts Touring grant to present David C. Symons in August 2018.
- Mississippi State University of Meridian received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- University of Mississippi of University received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Alcorn State University of Vicksburg received a $4,319 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Ellis Marsalis in April 2019.
North Carolina:
- Pack Place Performing Arts of Asheville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Appalachian State University of Boone received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- American Dance Festival of Durham received a $6,825 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre in July 2018.
- Duke University of Durham received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Duke University of Durham received a $4,469 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Will Oldham (aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy) in September 2018.
- City of Goldsboro/Paramount Theatre of Goldsboro received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- East Carolina University of Greenville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Dare County Arts Council of Manteo received a $4,350 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience in October 2018.
- University of Mount Olive received a $940 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Leipers Fork Bluegrass in September 2018.
- Pamlico Musical Society of Oriental received a $2,279 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Ranky Tanky in November 2018.
- North Carolina State University of Raleigh received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- North Carolina State University of Raleigh received a $3,384 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Ranky Tanky in October 2018.
- Cape Fear Community College Foundation of Wilmington received a $6,572 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre in March 2019.
- Cape Fear Community College Foundation of Wilmington received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington received a $1,110 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Joni Tevis in October 2018.
South Carolina:
- City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs of Charleston received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs of Charleston received a $2,354 Literary Arts Touring grant to present P. Scott Cunningham in October 2018.
- Midlands Technical College of Columbia received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Southern Guitar Festival and Competition of Columbia received a $878 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Jay Kacherski in June 2019.
- Coker College of Hartsville received a $5,800 grant as part of the Dance Touring Initiative.
- Arts Center of Coastal Carolina of Hilton Head received a $5,569 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Ballet Memphis in January 2019.
- Wits End Poetry of Marietta received a $890 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Asia Samson & Daryl Funn in September 2018.
Tennessee:
- Chattanooga State Community College of Chattanooga received a $2,188 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Beth Ann Fennelly & Tom Franklin in April 2019.
- Lee University of Cleveland received a $660 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Anya Silver in March 2019.
- Big Ears Festival of Knoxville received a $3,450 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Rachel Grimes in March 2019.
- Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School of Memphis received a $3,275 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Tito Puente, Jr. & Melina Almadovar in October 2018.
- Christian Brothers University of Memphis received a $1,967 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Chris Offut in April 2019.
- Global Education Center of Nashville received a $1,800 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Rajiv Mohabir in November 2018.
- Native American Indian Association of TN of Nashville received a $2,959 Performing Arts Touring grant to present Touch The Earth Productions in October 2018.
- The Porch Writers’ Collective of Nashville received a $444 Literary Arts Touring grant to present Jericho Brown in May 2019.