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

NEFA Summer Hours

Our summer hours are in effect through August 14, with NEFA closing at 1:00 PM ET on Fridays. The office will be closed the following Fridays: August 21, 28, and September 4. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we encourage staff to prioritize rest.

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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New England States Touring (NEST) Grant

August 3, 2026
Funds nonprofit organizations to present touring artists in venues across New England.

New England Dance Fund

September 28, 2026
The New England Dance Fund awards grants to New England-based choreographers of all genres and backgrounds who identify an opportunity that will advance their careers in dance.

Public Art Learning Fund

October 13, 2026
The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the field of public art in New England by providing professional development support directly to artists.

Public Art for Spatial Justice

December 1, 2026
Supports public art that creatively expresses and embodies a more just version of what’s possible in public.

National Dance Project Travel Fund

Rolling Deadline
National Dance Project Travel Fund provides monetary assistance for U.S. based presenters, curatorial staff, and residency directors or for current NDP artist grantees to connect in person to explore feasibility of presenting NDP-funded projects.

New England Presenter Travel Fund

Rolling Deadline
Presenter Travel Fund enhances the performing arts in the region by supporting travel costs associated with researching artistic work that may eventually be presented in New England.
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What's happening

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On a stage, a person in feathers and a headpiece stands in front of a spotlight. On the backdrop behind them, an animated shadow and clearer representation of the character appears.
Performing Arts

Travelling Puppeteers & the Spirit of Innovation

Puppetry, one of the earliest global forms of communication, is also one of the first disciplines championed by NEFA. Egypt, Greece, India, and Indonesia have records of puppetry from before the common era. The Teotihuacan culture made figurines with moveable arms and legs as early as 100 to 150 AD
A statue of a mother goose with a trail of ducklings behind her. A triangular pattern in bright colors just left of the ducklings.
Advocacy

New England Arts Organizations Still Feeling Impact of Federal Funding Cuts

When the Trump Administration released its federal budget proposal for FY2026, arts and cultural organizations across New England faced immediate uncertainty. This budget called to eliminate funding for key federal cultural institutions, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National
A white woman, in sunglasses, poses with another white woman, in a purple and blue dress, and a Black man in a grey blazer and light purple hat.

NEFA’s Board of Directors Elects New Officers, Renews Members, and Celebrates Service

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts announces the election of new Board officers, renewed members, and celebrates retiring members. The theme of the annual Board retreat, held this year in Providence, RI, on June 17 and 18, was Rebuilding, Learning, and Leading. In addition to our
Sasha wears a sheer cloak over pants and a shimmer headpiece that snakes along her scalp. Behind her a projection of her face, which is spotlit.

Collaborative Touring Grant Supports the Performing Arts in New England

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) announces 41 grants totaling $257,000 to support artistic engagements of 11 artists/ensembles at 33 cultural organizations across the six New England states through NEFA’s Crossroads: Touring New England program. Crossroads: Touring New
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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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