NEST (New England States Touring)

NEST (New England States Touring) funds the presentation of regional, national, and international artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations.

NEST-supported Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity presents Michael Block | photo by Cassandra Holden

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.


 

Funders

The New England States Touring program is made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

NEA logo has stripes across the bottom leading to arts.gov
CT State Arts Logo
New Hampshire Council on the Arts' logo reads "NH Arts" and has orange, pink, blue, and purple shaded in between dark blue lettering.
RISCA Logo has a yellow smudge under RISCA.

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