The Special Presenter Initiatives grant, offered by Mid Atlantic Arts in collaboration with several regional arts agencies, aims to support small and mid-sized arts and community organizations in presenting professional performing artists and ensembles. The initiative is designed to subsidize artist presentations, helping organizations enhance artistic programming, engage diverse audiences, and increase accessibility. This grant specifically assists presenters located in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and associated Native nations by covering up to 50% of an artist's presentation costs along with additional eligible expenses.

The program prioritizes projects that align with Mid Atlantic Arts’ commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Eligible applicants can receive a subsidy for artistic fees and project-related costs such as housing, per diem, travel, marketing, audience development, accessibility-related expenses, and technical needs. To be eligible, organizations must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities, units of state or local government, or federally recognized tribal governments. Applicants must also demonstrate administrative capacity to complete the project and be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts.

The grant requires that projects include at least one public performance and one community engagement activity, which may take various forms such as workshops, panel discussions, artist Q&A sessions, or master classes. Activities must take place within the designated project period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Fundraising events and performances serving solely private audiences (such as schools or senior centers) do not qualify as public performances but can be included as community engagement components.

Eligible presenters may apply for up to two projects per year if based in Delaware, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, while those in Washington, DC, and West Virginia may submit only one project per year. The maximum funding request per project is $2,000, except for presenters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, who can request up to $5,000. Funding must be matched 1:1, and no federal funds can be used as part of the match.

Applications must be submitted via Mid Atlantic Arts’ online grant portal by March 13, 2025. Required materials include a letter of intent between the presenter and artist, detailing engagement dates, negotiated artist fees, and the proposed program. Applications will be reviewed based on artistic merit, artistic excellence, community benefit, and accessibility. Funding decisions will be announced by May 2025, with grants disbursed approximately 45–60 days before the engagement. Recipients must submit a final report within 30 days of project completion.

For questions or accessibility accommodations, applicants may contact Program Director and Performing Arts & Accessibility Coordinator Sarah Lewitus via email at slewitus@midatlanticarts.org or by phone at 410-539-6656, ext. 110. The initiative is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Regional Touring Program, with additional backing from the Delaware Division of the Arts.