South Arts is thrilled to announce the recipients of the groundbreaking ArtsHERE grant program, a collaborative initiative with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. This pilot program aims to expand arts participation in underserved communities nationwide, with a total of $12.356 million awarded to 112 organizations across the country.
About ArtsHERE
ArtsHERE is designed to address disparities in arts participation by providing substantial support to organizations committed to equity in their practices and programming. The program offers non-matching grants ranging from $65,000 to $130,000 to fund projects that strengthen organizations' capacity to engage with their communities and increase arts participation among underserved groups.
Grant Recipients
The selected organizations represent a diverse range of arts initiatives across all 50 states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here are a few examples of the innovative projects being funded:
- JAMM (Juneau Alaska Music Matters) in Juneau, Alaska
JAMM is a tuition-free music program that uses the power of music and social experience of ensemble to help youth reach their fullest potential. An ArtsHERE grant of $105,610 will support their efforts to preserve the Lingít language and integrate its cultural wisdom into education. The project includes professional development activities bringing together Lingít speakers, culture bearers, string teaching artists, and certified music teachers to develop music-based Lingít language instruction and culturally responsive training for educators. Activities will include a summer teacher training and music lab, field research in Sitka, Alaska, and the creation of culturally responsive teaching practice video tutorials.
- Mahogany Black Arts & Cultural Center in Racine, Wisconsin
The Mahogany Black Arts & Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, research, and exhibition of Racine County Black Cultural History. They received an ArtsHERE grant of $130,000 to strengthen their organization through the development of a five-year strategic plan. This plan will include community outreach, board development, and technological investments to grow and manage a member database. The center runs programs including an oral histories project, the Wisconsin Black Art & Culture Expo, and a multidisciplinary, emerging artist fellowship.
- Native American Indian Association of Tennessee, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee
The Native American Indian Association of Tennessee works to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Native Americans in Tennessee. An ArtsHERE grant of $130,000 will support the enhancement and expansion of their Arts & Culture Education program. This program focuses on increasing participation in Native American arts, improving cultural representation, and promoting Native heritage through various educational and community engagement activities. Project activities will include an organizational needs assessment, strategic planning, community engagement, and field research to improve cultural representation.
- Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley (SNSC) in White River Junction, Vermont
SNSC is a group of individuals, families, and professionals working to create a community where people with disabilities can live their best lives. They received an ArtsHERE grant of $95,300 to build capacity in arts-focused organizations within the Upper Valley (NH and VT), creating places where people with disabilities have access to the arts. SNSC will provide staff training, recommendations on disability-friendly practices, and consulting services to make arts more accessible.
- Taller Comunidad la Goyco, Inc. in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Taller Comunidad la Goyco is an organization dedicated to creating programs and initiatives that highlight the historical, social, and cultural wealth of the Machuchal community and the Loíza Street sector in Santurce. An ArtsHERE grant of $70,000 will support curated programming, promotion, marketing, and training for volunteers who are ambassadors for their monthly community fairs. They aim to increase audiences for the fairs by 10 percent and effectively communicate the results of cultural programming tied to health, well-being, and the environment in their urban coastal community.
- The Welman Project in Fort Worth, Texas
The Welman Project connects teachers and schools with surplus materials from businesses, promoting creative reuse and sustainability in education. They received an ArtsHERE grant of $74,900 to support the opening of a new, larger makerspace as part of the future Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing, which was formerly used as a KKK auditorium. The grant will fund strategic planning and cultural competency training to prepare for the opening of their tool library and makerspace, ensuring it operates effectively and sustainably as it expands into a majority Hispanic community.
- All Recipients
Region # Legal Name City State/Province Discipline NEFA 1 Afro Caribbean Cultural Center Waterbury CT Multidisciplinary NEFA 2 Community Partners in Action Hartford CT Multidisciplinary NEFA 3 HartBeat Ensemble Inc. Hartford CT Theatre NEFA 4 NXTHVN Inc New Haven CT Visual Arts NEFA 5 Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc. Worcester MA Multidisciplinary NEFA 6 Company One, Inc. Boston MA Theatre NEFA 7 Front Porch Arts Collective Boston MA Theatre NEFA 8 Castle of our Skins Roxbury MA Music NEFA 9 Indigo Arts Alliance Portland ME Multidisciplinary NEFA 10 Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Portsmouth NH Humanities NEFA 11 Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy Pawtucket RI Folklife/Traditional Arts NEFA 12 Clemmons Family Farm, Inc. Charlotte VT Multidisciplinary NEFA 13 Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley White River Junction VT Multidisciplinary South Arts 14 Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy Alberta AL Crafts South Arts 15 Studio By The Tracks Birmingham AL Visual Arts South Arts 16 Arca Images Coral Gables FL Theatre South Arts 17 Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Inc. Miami FL Visual Arts South Arts 18 NOMADstudio, Inc St Petersburg FL Interdisciplinary South Arts 19 Deep Center, Incorporated Savannah GA Multidisciplinary South Arts 20 drawchange, Inc. Atlanta GA Visual Arts South Arts 21 Southern Fried Queer Pride Atlanta GA Multidisciplinary South Arts 22 Gateway Regional Arts Center Mt. Sterling KY Multidisciplinary South Arts 23 Dancing Grounds New Orleans LA Dance South Arts 24 Gloster Arts Project Natchez MS Multidisciplinary South Arts 25 Griot Arts Inc Clarksdale MS Multidisciplinary South Arts 26 NorthStar Church of the Arts Inc. Durham NC Multidisciplinary South Arts 27 Southern Documentary Fund Durham NC Media Arts South Arts 28 The Beautiful Project, Inc Durham NC Multidisciplinary South Arts 29 Catawba Indian Nation Rock Hill SC Folklife/Traditional Arts South Arts 30 The Watering Hole Poetry Organization Columbia SC Literature South Arts 31 Native American Indian Association of Tenenssee, Inc. Nashville TN Folklife/Traditional Arts South Arts 32 The Bottom Knoxville TN Multidisciplinary WESTAF 33 Alaska Native Heritage Center Anchorage AK Folklife/Traditional Arts WESTAF 34 JAMM (Juneau Alaska Music Matters) Juneau AK Music WESTAF 35 Hopi School dba Hopitutuqaiki Kykotsmovi AZ Multidisciplinary WESTAF 36 Border Youth Tennis Exchange Inc Nogales AZ Multidisciplinary WESTAF 37 Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Inc. Los Angeles CA Multidisciplinary WESTAF 38 Bezerk Productions Joshua Tree CA Interdisciplinary WESTAF 39 Latino Center of Art & Culture Sacramento CA Multidisciplinary WESTAF 40 KUTE, Inc dba KSUT Ignacio CO Media Arts WESTAF 41 Phamaly Theatre Company Denver CO Theatre WESTAF 42 Guam Unique Merchandise and Art (GUMA) Hagåtña GU Multidisciplinary WESTAF 43 Mana Maoli Honolulu HI Folklife/Traditional Arts WESTAF 44 PA'I Foundation Honolulu HI Multidisciplinary WESTAF 45 Global Lounge Incorporated Boise ID Humanities WESTAF 46 Caldwell Fine Arts Series Inc Caldwell ID Multidisciplinary WESTAF 47 The Myrna Loy Helena MT Multidisciplinary WESTAF 48 Equinox Theater DBA Verge Theater Company Bozeman MT Theatre WESTAF 49 AfroMundo Albuquerque NM Multidisciplinary WESTAF 50 Working Classroom Albuquerque NM Multidisciplinary WESTAF 51 Arts for All Nevada Reno NV Visual Arts WESTAF 52 Social CirKISH Foundation Las Vegas NV Interdisciplinary WESTAF 53 PRISMID, Inc. Portland OR Multidisciplinary WESTAF 54 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Portland OR Interdisciplinary WESTAF 55 Queer Spectra Arts Festival Salt Lake City UT Interdisciplinary WESTAF 56 The Mundi Project Salt Lake City UT Music WESTAF 57 Indigenous Performance Productions Olympia WA Multidisciplinary WESTAF 58 Laramie Public Art Coalition Laramie WY Multidisciplinary WESTAF 59 Pinedale Fine Arts Council INC Pinedale WY Theatre Mid America Arts Alliance 60 Tricycle Theatre for Youth Bentonville AR Multidisciplinary Mid America Arts Alliance 61 Wyandotte Nation of Kansas McLouth KS Non-Arts/Non-Humanities Mid America Arts Alliance 62 Art as Mentorship Kansas City MO Music Mid America Arts Alliance 63 Mattie Rhodes Memorial Society Kansas City MO Visual Arts Mid America Arts Alliance 64 Creative Reaction Lab St. Louis MO Design Arts Mid America Arts Alliance 65 Kimbilio Saint Louis MO Literature Mid America Arts Alliance 66 The Union for Contemporary Art Omaha NE Multidisciplinary Mid America Arts Alliance 67 Race Dance Company Oklahoma City OK Dance Mid America Arts Alliance 68 Art Maker, LLC Pawhuska OK Dance Mid America Arts Alliance 69 BABES FEST Inc dba Future Front Texas Austin TX Multidisciplinary Mid America Arts Alliance 70 Teatro Hispano de Dallas Dallas TX Theatre Mid America Arts Alliance 71 Art Spark Texas Austin TX Multidisciplinary Mid America Arts Alliance 72 Arts Connect Houston Houston TX Multidisciplinary Mid America Arts Alliance 73 RSA of Dance & Performing Arts Houston TX Dance Mid America Arts Alliance 74 The Welman Project Fort Worth TX Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 75 Iowa Arts in Education DBA ArtForce Iowa Des Moines IA Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 76 Azubuike African American Council for The Arts Inc. Davenport IA Interdisciplinary Arts Midwest 77 Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center Urbana IL Interdisciplinary Arts Midwest 78 Free Spirit Media Chicago IL Media Arts Arts Midwest 79 Indy Convergence, INC., The Indianapolis IN Interdisciplinary Arts Midwest 80 ArtMix Indianapolis IN Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 81 West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology Grand Rapids MI Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 82 Floyd J. McCree Theatre Flint MI Theatre Arts Midwest 83 South Sudanese Foundation Moorhead MN Non-Arts/Non-Humanities Arts Midwest 84 Indigenous Roots Saint Paul MN Interdisciplinary Arts Midwest 85 Kori Art Grand Forks ND Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 86 Sacred Pipe Resource Center Bismarck ND Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 87 Marion Voices Folklife + Oral History Caledonia OH Folklife/Traditional Arts Arts Midwest 88 Healing Broken Circles, Inc Columbus OH Multidisciplinary Arts Midwest 89 FIRST PEOPLES FUND Rapid City SD Folklife/Traditional Arts Arts Midwest 90 Cheyenne River Youth Project Eagle Butte SD Folklife/Traditional Arts Arts Midwest 91 Ko-Thi, Inc. Milwaukee WI Dance Arts Midwest 92 Mahogany Black Arts & Cultural Center Racine WI Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 93 Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA) Washington DC Theatre Mid Atlantic 94 4youth Productions Wilmington DE Photography Mid Atlantic 95 Community Building Art Works Rockville MD Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 96 BAD Ballet Baltimore MD Dance Mid Atlantic 97 Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth Chatham NJ Interdisciplinary Mid Atlantic 98 Next Generation Foundation for Street and Club Dance Culture North Bergen NJ Dance Mid Atlantic 99 Musicambia, Inc. Brooklyn NY Music Mid Atlantic 100 Intertwine Arts, Inc. New York NY Crafts Mid Atlantic 101 The Laundromat Project Brooklyn NY Interdisciplinary Mid Atlantic 102 Iroquois Museum Howes Cave NY Humanities Mid Atlantic 103 Fourth Arts Block, Inc. New York NY Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 104 Creative Citizen Studios Pittsburgh PA Visual Arts Mid Atlantic 105 Philadelphia Folklore Project Philadelphia PA Folklife/Traditional Arts Mid Atlantic 106 Ridgelines, INC Aaronsburg PA Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 107 CENTRO DE CULTURA ARTE TRABAJO Y EDUCACION Norristown PA Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 108 Taller Comunidad la Goyco, inc. San Juan PR Interdisciplinary Mid Atlantic 109 Tidewater Arts Outreach Norfolk VA Multidisciplinary Mid Atlantic 110 Oakwood Arts Inc. Richmond VA Media Arts Mid Atlantic 111 Lion Haven St. Croix Community Center Christiansted VI Visual Arts Mid Atlantic 112 Positive People Association Huntington WV Multidisciplinary
Looking to the Future
As a pilot program, ArtsHERE will be carefully documented and evaluated by the NEA. This process will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the program and may inform future funding initiatives in the arts sector.
The selected organizations will receive funding to support their projects from October 2024 through June 2026. South Arts is proud to be part of this transformative initiative, working alongside the NEA and other Regional Arts Organizations to create a more inclusive and vibrant arts ecosystem across the United States.
Susie Surkamer, president and CEO of South Arts, expressed her enthusiasm: "We are very excited to work with these organizations on their projects. The arts are essential to the fabric of our nation, and at the heart of this necessity are the organizations and individuals who champion them. Through ArtsHERE, we are excited to continue expanding and enriching the arts landscape both nationally and within these unique local communities."