Arts and culture are essential to a just society

As a social impact organization, NEFA builds, sustains, and fights for arts and culture through grantmaking, partnerships, and advocacy in New England, the nation, and beyond.

Our Vision and Values
Repeating image of a Black woman playing the standing bass with a microphone in front of her.

Unveiling NEFA's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

A Mission Forged in Collaboration is a landmark framework that reaffirms NEFA’s identity as a social impact organization and sets forth a bold agenda for the future of the cultural sector. The plan arrives as NEFA prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, offering both a moment of reflection and a call to action for the decades ahead.

Full Story about Unveiling NEFA's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

Grantmaking for art making. What will you create?

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Upcoming Grant Application Deadlines

NEFA offers grants to artists and organizations to support the creation and presentation of work. 

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Crossroads: Touring New England

March 2
Supports tours by regional, national, and international artists to multiple organizations across New England

National Dance Project Production Grant

March 16
NDP Production Grants fund the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects annually.

New England States Touring (NEST) Grant

April 1
Funds nonprofit organizations to present touring artists in venues across New England.
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What's happening

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In the Guggenheim, with it's infamous spiral interior leading to the top floor, dancers perform on the ground level.
Performing Arts
Professional Development

NEFA at APAP 2026

NEFA staff looks forward to engaging with the field at this year’s Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) annual conference, January 9-13 in New York City. Connect with NEFA The best way to connect with staff is via the APAP’s official event app by Core-apps as NEFA is not hosting a
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility

With NEFA Support: Queerlective

NEFA is proud to work with grantees like Queerlective in New Hampshire. As 2025 draws to a close, Randall Nielsen, Executive Director of Queerlective, reflects on NEFA’s impacts: “Our communities are facing a tremendous storm of challenges, intensified over the past year. NEFA fills a critical gap
Four Black dancers, on a stage and in front of a white backdrop, lean forward with their left rear foot raised and their arms up or at their sides.
Dance

National Dance Project's 30 for 30 for 30

After 30 years, NEFA’s National Dance Project (NDP) announces that the 2026 NDP Production Grant cycle will be its last. Founded in response to the culture wars of the early '90s, NDP was designed to link the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects by building upon artist/presenter
In a spotlight, a man holds a clay puppet by a rod from the top and bottom of the puppet's body.
Theater

With NEFA Support: Sandglass Theater

NEFA is proud to work with grantees like Sandglass Theater in Putney, VT. Mackenzie Doss, Managing Director of Sandglass, shares how NEFA’s support has impacted their work: “I think the biggest issues facing the arts right now are the same as those felt by people across all sectors and walks of life
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Fostering regional, national, and international connections

CreativeGround

CreativeGround spotlights the creative people and places at work in New England: cultural nonprofits like libraries and theaters, creative businesses like recording studios and design agencies, and artists of all disciplines such as performing arts, visual arts, and crafts.

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Center Stage

Center Stage is among the most successful programs to bring contemporary international performing artists into direct contact with people across a wide range of U.S. communities, and to share these experiences globally.

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