The Folklife and Traditional Arts Project Grant, administered by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA), is designed to support projects that focus on the presentation and preservation of folklife and traditional arts in New Hampshire. This grant aims to increase public appreciation for these cultural practices while empowering traditional artists and communities to sustain their heritage for future generations. It is part of the State Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Program and prioritizes projects that are community-centered and represent living traditions passed down through generations.

For fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, the grant supports projects occurring between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted online by June 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST via Submittable. Awards range from $1,000 to $8,000, and while the match requirement is waived for FY2026, applicants are encouraged to include in-kind or cash match to strengthen their applications. The program is funded through both federal and state appropriations, and all funding is contingent on availability.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations incorporated in New Hampshire; government agencies at any level; schools; and post-secondary educational institutions. Organizations based in Maine, Vermont, or Massachusetts may also be eligible if they are headquartered within 50 miles of the New Hampshire border, demonstrate that over half of their service beneficiaries are New Hampshire residents, and have significant board representation from New Hampshire. All applicants must have a UEI from SAM.gov, be in good standing with the NH Secretary of State and Attorney General, and fulfill accessibility and past grant reporting obligations.

Projects supported can include festivals, lecture/performance series, workshops, conferences, exhibits, and media programming. These projects must be open to the public and include the direct participation of traditional artists who are paid at professional levels. At least half of the participating traditional artists and specialists must reside in New Hampshire or be on the NH Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing, with the remaining half allowed to come from nearby border states.

Applicants must respond to detailed narrative questions and submit multiple supporting documents, including a completed budget form, a list of board members, resumes, work samples, and evaluation tools. Final reports are due 30 days after project completion or by December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. Failure to comply may affect future eligibility.

Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts and evaluated based on three major criteria: Artistic Quality of Programming (40 points), Community Support and Representation (35 points), and Administrative Capacity (25 points). Successful applicants are notified approximately 10 weeks after the submission deadline. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Program Coordinator Kayla Schweitzer at kayla.m.schweitzer@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-0795.