[South Arts](https://www.southarts.org)

September 30, 2025 | September 30, 2026

$5,000 per awardee; one-time grant; no reporting required.

Supports emerging traditional artists in Central Appalachia with funding, professional development, and mentorship to sustain and advance traditional art forms.

--- ## Description The Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP), part of South Arts’ "In These Mountains" initiative, is designed to recognize and support a new generation of traditional artists in Central Appalachia. The program provides selected artists with $5,000 in flexible funding, professional development workshops, and peer mentorship. Its goal is to ensure the continuation and advancement of traditional knowledge and artistic skills within cultural communities, empowering artists to pursue learning opportunities, expand their practice, and increase their impact. ETAP emphasizes flexible, artist-driven learning, and does not require recipients to produce commissioned work or submit final reports. In addition to funding, participants join a cohort, attend convenings, and receive mentorship, fostering long-term relationships and advocacy for traditional arts. --- ## Due Dates - September 30, 2025: Application deadline (extended) - September 30, 2026: Application deadline (must submit by 5:00pm ET) All projects will begin January 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Each awardee receives a one-time $5,000 grant. - Funding is delivered in one installment at the start of the award period. - No reporting or commissioned work is required. - Funds are intended for learning opportunities, training, networking, and promotion as determined by the artist. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Be an individual folk or traditional artist in the early stages of their career/practice (minimum age 18 by the deadline). - Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have permission to work permanently in the U.S. - Have lived for at least two years (immediately prior to the deadline) in an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)-designated county in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee (see [full eligible counties list](https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities/emerging-traditional-artists-program)). - Expect to maintain residency in an ARC county during the award period. - Practice eligible art forms: - **Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee:** Music, handcrafts/material culture, and/or foodways (interdisciplinary traditional artists welcome). - **Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina:** Handcrafts/material culture only. - Not be a past awardee of the Emerging Traditional Artists Program or the In These Mountains Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship. - Demonstrate commitment to their art form and its community/cultural context; primary income from the art form is not required. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via [South Arts’ Salesforce Grants Management System](https://southarts.my.site.com/grants/s/). - Required materials: - Completed application form (register as an individual). - Responses to [Life Story Questions](https://www.southarts.org/sites/default/files/documents/ETAP%20Life%20Story%20Questions.docx) (written upload or video, max 15 minutes). - Work samples (up to 10 images, 3 audio, and/or 3 video samples, as appropriate). - Optional: Up to 5 support materials (letters, press, blog posts, etc.). - No budget, partner, or venue sections are required. - Awardees must sign a letter of commitment and participate in two virtual workshops and one in-person convening. - Application deadline is September 30, 2026, at 5:00pm ET. --- ## Additional Information - Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. - All awards are non-transferable and delivered in a single installment. - There are no final reporting requirements. - Artists will participate in a recorded interview about their art and learning experience. - Appeals process is available for certain review concerns (see program page for details). --- ## External Links - [Program Guidelines & Application Portal](https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities/emerging-traditional-artists-program) - [Eligible Counties List](https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities/emerging-traditional-artists-program) - [Life Story Questions (DOCX)](https://www.southarts.org/sites/default/files/documents/ETAP%20Life%20Story%20Questions.docx) - [South Arts Grants & Opportunities](https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities) - [Contact South Arts](https://www.southarts.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Title | Email | Phone | |---------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------| | Taylor Burden, Director, Traditional Arts | tburden@southarts.org | (404) 201-7924 | | General Inquiries | [Contact Form](https://www.southarts.org/contact) | 404-874-7244 |

Emerging Traditional Artists Program

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