Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
This fellowship honors and supports Black Appalachian storytellers who preserve oral traditions, offering funding, national recognition, and performance opportunities at a major storytelling festival.
Funder: Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per fellow (unrestricted); one award per eligible state annually; includes NABS membership and a unique physical award
Summary: Supports and honors Black Appalachian storytellers with funding, recognition, and national festival opportunities to sustain oral storytelling traditions.
Key Information: Fellowship is limited to tradition bearers with strong Black Appalachian identity/ties in six eligible states.
Description
The Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships, offered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and South Arts, celebrate and promote the unique oral storytelling traditions of Black communities in Appalachia. Each year, one fellowship is awarded in each of six eligible states (Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) to individuals who are tradition bearers sustaining Black Appalachian storytelling. Fellows receive unrestricted funding, a unique physical award crafted by a Black Appalachian artist, and a year’s membership in NABS. Honorees are recognized at the annual "In the Tradition..." National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference, and are invited to perform at the following year's festival. The program is part of the Central Appalachia Living Traditions initiative, which supports the preservation and sharing of folklife and traditional arts in the region.
