Crossroads: Touring New England - New England Foundation for the Arts
Crossroads: Touring New England supports New England presenters bringing artists on tour for performances, readings, and screenings that expand access to artistic excellence and build community connections.
Funder: New England Foundation for the Arts
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Grant application) | October 5, 2026 (Idea Swap accommodation requests) | October 29, 2026 (Idea Swap)
Funding Amounts: $1,000–$10,000, generally up to 60% of artist fees; fees of $2,000 or less may be fully requested
Summary: Supports regional, national, and international artists touring to multiple presenting organizations across New England.
Key Information: Tours must involve at least three presenters in three distinct communities across at least two New England states.
Description
Crossroads: Touring New England, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), funds tours of regional, national, and international artists presented by New England organizations. Previously known as NEST 3 or Expeditions, the program expands community access to artistic excellence while strengthening partnerships among artists and presenters. It supports public performances, literary readings, and film screenings that connect artists with communities.
The program emphasizes collaborative planning, meaningful activities beyond the main presentation, and partnerships that reduce barriers to arts participation. Each presenter applies separately, while the tour is assessed both collectively and through each partner’s application. NEFA’s annual Idea Swap helps organizations discover projects and identify potential tour partners; attendance is strongly encouraged.
