New England States Touring (NEST) Grant

2025 Update - The NEST 1 and 2 deadline, typically scheduled for August 1, is cancelled due to a delay in confirmation of funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. 

As a result, in NEFA’s current fiscal year, we will only have two NEST 1 and 2 deadlines: 

• Monday, December 1, 2025 – for projects beginning February 15, 2026, or later. The grant period will begin earlier than usual to account for some projects that would have applied in August. 

• Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - for projects beginning July 1, 2026, or later 

Non-profit presenting organizations will still be limited to two (2) NEST 1 and/or 2 applications per deadline in December and April. Grantee notification may be shortly before the project performance period begins. 

New grant guidelines for NEST 3 coming in Fall 2025. 

New England States Touring (NEST) funds public performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations.

Applicants are highly encouraged to contact NEFA staff to confirm that their project fits the program guidelines.

About the New England States Touring Grant Program

There are two distinct grant opportunities for the New England States Touring (NEST) program: NEST 1 and NEST 2. Organizations engaging rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply. 

NEST 1 

Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from the artist’s home state. 

NEST 2

Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. A NEST 2 tour must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state. 

Both presenting organizations must complete their own application and both applications must be submitted for the same deadline.  Both the in-state and out-of-state presenting organizations must have their grant applications approved in order to for all presenters to receive funding. If only the out-of-state partner’s application is approved for funding, the engagement may be converted into a NEST 1 grant. 

A “presenter” is defined as an organization that financially compensates an artist/ensemble (where the artist/ensemble is a separate entity from the presenter) for performance(s) in the presenter’s community. Producing organizations that solely create artistic work or assemble artists to perform as ensembles for performances are not eligible to apply. Presenters may include arts centers, festivals, social service organizations, libraries, schools, and more.

• There are three application deadlines each year. They are the first business days of August, December, and April. In NEFA’s FY26 (June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026), there will only be two deadlines: December 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026.
• Presenting organizations may submit a maximum of two NEST 1 and/or NEST 2 applications, in any combination, per deadline .
• Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Artists’ fees may include costs for creation of new work, travel, and per diem.
  • Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee.
• The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. 

Organizations may submit a maximum of two NEST 1 and/or NEST 2 applications, in any combination, per deadline. NEST grants are awarded through a competitive selection process, and the amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the funding criteria. Many applicants receive partial funding and should be prepared to meet the artist fee with other funding sources.

Visit the New England States Touring Program page to learn more about program goals, advisors, NEFA's annual Idea Swap, and more.

VISIT THE PROGRAM PAGE

Eligibility 

To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must:

• Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency). Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST.
• Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• Have a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. The federal government requires that all NEFA organizational grant recipients supported by federal funds register for a SAM.gov UEI (Unique Entity ID). Getting a UEI is a free process and can be done by visiting SAM.gov. Read our blog post with more details.  
• Provide documentation of their compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Please visit our Arts & Accessibility page for details.
• Maintain an updated profile in the CreativeGround directory for their cultural nonprofit. (For assistance, see the CreativeGround profile tips page, and aim for a profile score of 16.) If the applicant nonprofit is not a cultural or arts-based organization, please contact Falyn Rose Elhard (they/them/theirs) to confirm your organization's qualification for a CreativeGround profile.
• Present a public presentation of the artist/ensemble named in the application. A public presentation is defined as an event that is open to the public and advertised accordingly. The presentation must feature the artistic work of the named artist/ensemble.
  • A public presentation for literary projects must include a public reading by the NEST-eligible artist.
  • A public presentation for film projects must include a public film screening with the NEST-eligible artist/filmmaker.

NEST will not fund:

• Activities and programs which take place exclusively in schools during class time.
• Events that are not open to the public and advertised accordingly.
• Fundraisers.
• Events outside of the six New England states.
• Performances in which the performers are primarily students.
• Self-produced presentations by artists/ensembles.
• Producing organizations inviting a guest artist (such as a conductor or soloist) to perform as part of a performance by the producing organization.
• Presentations of projects with funding available through the National Dance Project or National Theater Project.

Find NEST Artists or Become a NEST Artist on CreativeGround

NEST artists are professional artists from New England who meet the NEST artist requirements. CreativeGround houses the directory of all New England artists (NEST artists) who may be chosen by NEST applicants for funding. You can learn more about NEST artists on the NEST program page.

A NEST artist must maintain a permanent residence in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont) and spend at least half of the year living in that state.

An NEST-eligible ensemble must be led by an artist based in New England, at least 50% of the performers must live in New England. Ensembles incorporated in New England but who are not made up of performers primarily based in New England are not eligible for NEST.

While we recognize that artists often live and work in many places and employ collaborators from around the world, NEST is designed to support artists residing and working in New England.

To find NEST-eligible artists

1. Go to www.CreativeGround.org and click ‘Search’ at the top of the page.  
2. Select ‘Special Designations’ and then select ‘NEST-eligible Artist’ along with any other search criteria that you need, such as state or discipline.

If a presenter is interested in applying for an artist who is not currently NEST-eligible, then the artist(s) should follow the instructions under the NEST Artist Requirements. All artists who wish to qualify for NEST funding must maintain an artist profile on CreativeGround.

To become a NEST-eligible artist

All artists who wish to qualify for NEST funding must maintain an artist profile on CreativeGround by following these instructions.

Funding Criteria

NEST grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. The grants support projects that demonstrate artistic excellence and merit. The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the criteria. The funding criteria are:

• Clear rationale for how the project aligns with the organization’s arts programming goals and provides the community with access to excellent artistic and cultural experiences.
• Additional activities beyond the performance, which provide opportunities for the artist(s) in this engagement to meaningfully connect with community. Cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged.
• Community partnerships and strategies to provide access to the arts for all New England communities, especially those that often experience barriers to participation in arts activities. Such barriers may exist for someone based on their age, class, disability, gender, geographic location, and economics.
• Provides the artist with resources that support their artistic vision and sustainability as a New England-based artist.
• Priority will be given to projects that provide communities with new cultural experiences.
• Collaborative planning with the tour partner and the artist to share knowledge and experience that will deepen the engagement for the artist, partner organizations, and their communities. (Applicable for NEST 2 only).

While free and reduced admission is one strategy presenters can use to reduce barriers, NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances when appropriate, for the following reasons:

• Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses.
• Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has distinct value and that the professionals involved must make a living from their endeavors in order to continue.
• Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance.
• Admissions purchases provide patron information that can aid in marketing, fundraising, and audience development.

Process & Deadlines

Process

Online applications must be submitted before midnight on the deadline date. 

NEST 1 and 2 applicants will be notified via email 6-8 weeks after the deadline.

Online reports must be submitted within 40 days from the end of the artist engagement to receive reimbursement. Partial grant payment may be requested in advance to support artist fees paid prior to the performance, screening, or reading. Full instructions are in the Requirements & Reports for Grant Recipients section, found below.

NEFA staff is available for assistance Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET.

Deadlines

NEST 1 & 2 grant deadlines occur three times a year, as follows:

• First business day of August, for projects beginning on or after November 1.
• First business day of December, for projects beginning on or after March 1.
• First business day of April, for projects beginning on or after July 1.

In NEFA’s FY26 (June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026), there will only be two deadlines: December 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026.

Projects must occur within a year of the start date of the grant period. For example, an application submitted for August 1 should be for a project taking place November 1 to October 31.

Reductions in Artist Fees

NEST grant amounts are determined based on the proposed artistic fee; therefore, reductions in artist fees may result in the reduction or cancellation of your grant. Grant recipients must notify NEFA of any changes in fees paid to the artist(s) or project plans as soon as possible, preferably in advance of the event. NEFA does not guarantee funding if the project differs substantially from the original application. Requests for changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may change the amount of the grant award.

Requirements & Reports for Grant Recipients

Grant payments will be made upon receipt of the following which must be submitted within 40 days after the funded event. Partial grant payment may be requested in advance to support artist fees paid prior to the performance. Please contact Adrienne Petrillo (she/her/hers) for more details:

1. A completed online Grantee Report for each grant. Click "Return to your grant request" below to log-in to your portal account to find and submit your online report(s). If you need technical assistance, please email Falyn Rose Elhard (they/them/theirs).
    RETURN TO YOUR GRANT application
2. A copy of the signed contract or letter of agreement (with printed name and title) between your organization and the artist(s) presented.
3. Copies of letters of appreciation sent to your federal and/or state legislators. This is to inform them about the purpose of this award and the impact it will have on your organization’s activities and service to the community.
4. Copies of program and publicity materials showing acknowledgement of NEFA’s funding. See NEFA logo and crediting information for details.

Failure to provide this material within 40 days of the event may result in cancellation of the grant and all pending NEFA grants. If the performance date is changed or cancelled, or if you anticipate a delay in submission of materials, please contact Falyn Rose Elhard. 

NEST At-A-Glance

*see full eligibility requirements