NEST Artist Requirements

MatchBook.org houses the directory of all artists who may be chosen by NEST applicants for funding. Therefore, all artists who wish to qualify for NEST funding must maintain an artist profile on MatchBook.org.

How to become a NEST artist

1. Register for free on MatchBook.org.
   Go to www.MatchBook.org, click “GET LISTED,” and complete the form.
    
2. Create an artist profile.
   Once you are registered, click on “My MatchBook” (top right) and select “Artist” next to “Create a Profile.”
   
   In order to become a NEST artist, artists are required to complete all fields listed below in their artist profile:
   
   OVERVIEW TAB
   Group or Artist Name
   Contact Name (can be an agent or manager)
   Address
   Phone Number
   Email
   Disciplines (check at least one)
   Activities Available for (must include concert/performance/reading)
   Fee Range
   Description of Activities

   PROGRAMS TAB
   Description of Residency and Outreach Activities
   Audiences Served (check at least one)
   Awards
   Education/Training

   PERFORMING HISTORY TAB
   Performing History (Please list at least five different organizations that have presented you in concerts/performances/readings in the last year. You must include hiring organization, contact name, date, and activity type.)

   WORK SAMPLES TAB
   At least one photo posted
   At least one audio or video clip posted
   
   Once all requirements have been met, return to the OVERVIEW tab in your artist profile and check the box next to “I have completed the requirements and wish to be considered eligible for the New England States Touring Program.” Be sure to click “save” once you have completed this task.
   
   
   

3. Sign up for the MatchBook.org e-newsletter.
   All artists who wish to be a part of NEST must also sign up for the MatchBook.org newsletter. To do this:

   Go to www.MatchBook.org and log in
   Click “Edit Details” from your “My MatchBook” screen
   Click “Send me periodic MatchBook.org eNewsletter & announcements.”

After your profile has been reviewed by the MatchBook.org team, an icon will appear on your profile indicating that you are eligible for NEST funding. Artist profiles must be updated at least once a year to maintain NEST status. Otherwise, the profile will be deactivated and the artist will no longer be eligible for NEST funding.

Once an artist becomes eligible for NEST, their professionalism and quality will be evaluated by presenters who receive NEST funding. If comments from presenting organizations are continually marginal or unsatisfactory, the artist will be contacted and interviewed.

It is beneficial for artists to let presenters know that they are eligible for NEST funding and mention it in promotional materials, as potential presenters may be more likely to book an artist knowing that funding assistance for the artist's fee is available from the NEST program. Below is an example of what artists may use:

Fee support for [insert artist name] may be available to nonprofit organizations through the New England States Touring (NEST) program of the New England Foundation for the Arts. Visit www.nefa.org for more information.