Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color

Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color is a national grant program managed by the six U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs). The program is designed to support folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities of color by investing in individual artists/practitioners and community organizations that sustain and promote these traditions. Walking Together is grounded in trust-based grantmaking, relationship-building, and fostering systemic change in the arts funding landscape.

The grant program offers two types of awards. Six traditional artists or practitioners from each RAO region (36 total nationwide) will receive an unrestricted award of $15,000 to support their traditional arts practice. Additionally, one organization or collective from each state or jurisdiction (56 total) will receive a $50,000 award, with minimal restrictions, to continue their work supporting community traditions and artists. Funds for businesses such as LLCs or S-corps must be used in direct support of work that preserves, teaches, shares, or presents community traditions.

Eligible applicants include individual traditional artists and folklife practitioners rooted in communities of color, as well as organizations that serve and sustain these traditions. Individual applicants must demonstrate at least three years of active practice in their traditional art form and reside in one of the 56 U.S. states and jurisdictions covered by the RAOs or a federally recognized Native nation within this geography. Organizations must also have at least three years of history supporting folklife and traditional artists, have an average annual operating budget below $500,000, and must not have received funding through the ArtsHERE or Cultural Sustainability programs.

The application process consists of two rounds. The first round requires applicants to submit a self-nomination form, available from January 15, 2025, to March 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The form includes narrative questions, a community support sample, and recommended work samples. Selected applicants will be invited to Round 2, where they will submit a more detailed application by July 21, 2025. Award notifications will be sent out in October 2025, and the award period will run from January 1 to December 31, 2026.

Applications are reviewed by a diverse panel of folklorists, cultural workers, artists, and community leaders based on three key criteria: commitment to tradition, sustainability of traditions into the future, and demonstrated community support. There is no final report requirement, but awardees must participate in an impact survey and a recorded conversation with RAO representatives.

Walking Together grants are administered by Mid Atlantic Arts. Grant payments are issued within 45 days after all necessary award documents are received and approved. Individual and business awardees are responsible for reporting grant income for tax purposes. Additional support, including webinars and office hours, is available to help applicants navigate the process. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the program at walkingtogether@midatlanticarts.org or 667-401-2587.