New England Foundation for the Arts

Above:

National Theater Project-supported Mondo Bizarro's "Invisible Rivers" | photo by Bruce France

Supporting a thriving, creative future

NEFA invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation.

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.

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Grantmaking for art making. What will you create?

Upcoming Grant Application Deadlines

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

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Public Art Learning Fund

October 14

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

Jazz Road

October 15

Jazz Road is an artist-centric touring and residency grants program promoting deeper engagement between jazz musicians, presenters, and communities. Jazz Road is led by South Arts, one of NEFA's Regional Arts Organization colleagues.

New England States Touring (NEST) Grant

December 1

Funds nonprofit organizations to present touring artists in venues across New England.

Public Art for Spatial Justice

December 2

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

Crossroads: Touring New England

March 2

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

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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Decorative topography in orange and black.

NEFA Unveils Bold 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as a Social Impact Organization, Leading into 50th Anniversary

(Boston, MA) — The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has released its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, A Mission Forged in Collaboration, 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

On the beach and within a wall of fabric, a woman holds a phone to her ear. A young girl stands next to her and holds onto the frame of the structure that holds up the wall of colorful fabric.

Public Art

Artist Voices: Reflections from the Department of Public Imagination

In the Artists Voices series, NEFA connects with grantees to learn more about the impact of the grant on their work.  crystal bi and Dzidzor Azaglo received a Public Art for Spatial Justice grant in 2023 for the Department of Public Imagination- a public art project that creates space for community

D Derek leans on a teardrop sculpture that is hooked up to a truck for transport. He is backlit by the sun.

Public Art

Artist Voices: D Derek's Learning Journey

In the Artist Voices series, NEFA connects with grantees to learn more about the impact of the grant on their work. D Derek received a Public Art Learning Fund grant in 2023 to participate in the "Abstraction Master Class" at Mass MoCA, an immersive one-week intensive with Judith Kruger. D Derek

Dance

NEFA’s National Dance Project Announces 2025 Production Awards

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) awarded $2,000,000 through the National Dance Project (NDP) to support the creation of 20 new dance projects that will be shared across the United States. In addition, NDP has awarded $200,000 in Finalist Awards to 20 new dance projects

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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.

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.