NEST (New England States Touring)

Potential applicants should review guidelines and eligibility carefully prior to applying. Applicants are also highly encouraged to contact NEFA staff to confirm that their project fits the program. Find the latest guidelines and criteria on the grant page. 

Program Goals

• Provide New England communities with access to artistic excellence by artists from across the region.
• Support New England artists by providing opportunities to share their work, receive appropriate compensation, and form reciprocal relationships with the organizations that present them.
• Build meaningful connections between artists and communities in New England.
• Strengthen the presenting and touring infrastructure in New England as part of the region’s arts and culture ecosystem.

NEST Artists

NEST artists are professional artists from New England who meet the NEST artist requirements. They represent a wide range of disciplines, including dance, folk art, interdisciplinary work, media, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, storytelling, and theater. NEST artists must be available for public performances and must maintain a permanent residence in New England.

CreativeGround houses the directory of all artists who may be chosen by NEST applicants for funding.

Visit the NEST grant page for information about finding NEST artists or becoming a NEST-eligible artist.

Advisors

The New England state arts agencies serve as the review panel for all NEST 1 and 2 applications. Applicants are highly encouraged to contact their state arts agency when applying.

• Connecticut Offices of Culture and Tourism - Kolton Harris (Program Associate)
• New Hampshire State Council on the Arts - Kayla Schweitzer (Grants Coordinator - Creative Communities)
• Massachusetts Cultural Council - Amy Chu (Program Officer, Creative Youth Development)
• Maine Arts Commission - Eli Cabañas (Program Director)
• Rhode Island State Council on the Arts - Seamus Hames (Arts Education Program Director)
• Vermont Arts Council - Michele Bailey (Senior Program Manager)

Idea Swap

The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations to network and share ideas for performing arts, literary arts, and film projects that are available for presentation in New England communities. The Idea Swap is an opportunity to develop collaborations and partnerships that will result in applications to NEFA’s Crossroads: Touring New England (formerly known as NEST 3/Expeditions) grant program. 

The next Idea Swap will be October 29 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA.

Learn More About Idea Swap