[Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation](https://www.midatlanticarts.org)

April 2026 | April 2027 (projected)

$5,000 per award; no match required; award period ~10 months.

Supports early-career Appalachian traditional artists in OH, VA, and WV with funding and cohort-based professional development for significant learning opportunities.

For ARC-designated counties in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia only.

--- ## Description The Central Appalachia Living Traditions Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP) is designed to support traditional artists in the early stages of their practice who are based in Appalachian counties of Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia. The program provides $5,000 grants to help artists pursue significant learning opportunities—such as mentorship, classes, research, or the purchase of supplies and services—related to their traditional art form. In addition to funding, awardees join a cohort for professional development, including virtual workshops, peer connections, and an in-person convening. The goal is to nurture dedicated practitioners and keep Central Appalachian traditional arts vibrant and evolving. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026: Full application deadline (anticipated) - April 2027: Full application deadline (projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $5,000 per awardee. - No matching funds required. - Funds may be used for travel, classes, research, supplies, services, or other learning opportunities relevant to the artist's traditional practice. - Award period typically runs from September through the following June (approx. 10 months). --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Be a traditional artist, practitioner, or keeper of traditional knowledge (including crafts, music, dance, storytelling, foodways, agriculture, etc.). - Be in the early stages of their traditional arts journey and ready to advance their practice. - Reside in an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)-designated county in Ohio, Virginia, or West Virginia. [See full list of eligible counties.](https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/) - Be at least 18 years old by the application deadline. - Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident. - Be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts (no overdue reports or documents). - Not apply for ETAP in the same year as a CALT Experiences grant. There is no maximum age, and applicants do not need to rely on their traditional art form for income. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via [Mid Atlantic Arts' SmartSimple portal](https://midatlanticarts.smartsimple.com/). - Required materials include: - Responses to five narrative questions (written or audio format, max 10 minutes for audio). - Work samples (recent and relevant; see guidelines for specific formats and limits). - No formal budget is required. - No final report is required; instead, awardees participate in a recorded interview about their experience. - Applicants are encouraged to contact program staff for guidance and to attend webinars or office hours. --- ## Additional Information - Awardees participate in a cohort-based professional development program, including virtual workshops and an in-person convening. - Funds are taxable income; awardees are responsible for IRS reporting, and tax support resources are provided. - Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. - Program staff are available for questions and application support, and regular office hours are offered via Zoom. --- ## External Links - [Program Information & Guidelines](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/calt-etap/) - [2027 Program Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FY27_CALTETAP_Guidelines_final.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://midatlanticarts.smartsimple.com/) - [Eligible ARC Counties](https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/) - [Panelist Interest Form](https://forms.office.com/r/SghFzmQ2hK) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Ellie Dassler | Program Director, Folk & Traditional Arts| [edassler@midatlanticarts.org](mailto:edassler@midatlanticarts.org) | 667-401-2587 x 115 | | Joel Chapman | Program Associate, Folk & Traditional Arts| [jchapman@midatlanticarts.org](mailto:jchapman@midatlanticarts.org) | 667-401-2488 x 117 |

Central Appalachia Living Traditions Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP)

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