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New Work New England provides grants of $7,500-$15,000 directly to New England artists in dance, film, interdisciplinary work, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, storytelling, and theater to support creating and producing new work that has potential to engage multiple New England communities. The focus of this pilot program is on artists and the creative process and projects that further equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
New Work New England is a three-year pilot program initiated in 2020 and guided by NEFA’s strategic plan. NEFA’s goals for the pilot are:
In addition to grant funds, NEFA will provide networking and visibility opportunities for artists through the annual Idea Swap, and other opportunities to develop relationships with New England organizations to further support the development, production, presentation and future touring of new work in New England communities. Support for organizations, and for subsequent presentation and touring will be available through the New England States Touring Program (NEST).
Works may be interdisciplinary and can include creators in multiple artistic forms.
Applicant artists must reside in any of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and maintain an active profile as a touring artist on CreativeGround. View the instructions and minimum requirements for a CreativeGround profile.
Eligible new works may be in early stages of development at the time of application as well as in mid- or later stages of development. If the proposed work has had a previous public performance, artist(s) must demonstrate that this grant will fund additional development.
At least one public presentation of the new work must occur during the grant period. This may include performances, works-in-progress showings, and/or community engagement activities in at least one New England community. During the time of COVID-19 restrictions on in-person public performances, strategies to connect with community members and audiences through digital platforms are included in this requirement.
Note: New Work New England Grants are taxable income to individual recipients and reportable to the IRS.
New Work New England grants will range from $7,500-$15,000 and will be awarded through a competitive selection process. Approximately 10-15 grants will be awarded in the first pilot round. Reviewers will base evaluation of the applications on the following criteria:
Priority will be given to artists who have not received funding for new work through NEFA programs including the National Dance Project, National Theater Project, and Creative City, and through The Boston Foundation’s Live Arts Boston. NEFA has the goal of funding artists from throughout the New England region. Final grant decisions will take geographic diversity into account, including all New England states, rural and urban communities.
The application deadline is September 3, 2020.
Funding decisions will be made through a peer review process. Applicants will be notified December 2020. The grant period will be one year beginning January 1, 2021.
Watch this webinar with our New England Presenting & Touring team to learn more about the application process, eligibility, and more.
Support for New Work New England comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Seedlings Foundation, the Fund for the Arts at NEFA, and from individual donors.
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