Jazz Road
Forecasted
Jazz Road supports jazz artists through artist-led tours and creative residencies that foster artistic growth, strengthen careers, and deepen connections with communities across the country.
Funder: Arts Midwest
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Jazz Road Tours application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Tours: $5,000–$15,000 for three- to six-site tours | Creative Residencies: $5,000–$40,000 for one to four weeks
Summary: Jazz Road supports artist-led jazz tours and creative residencies that advance artists’ careers and deepen community connections nationwide.
Key Information: Lead applicants must be professional jazz artists based in the U.S. or its territories and U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Description
Jazz Road is a national, artist-centric initiative directed by South Arts in partnership with the other five United States Regional Arts Organizations, including Arts Midwest. Supported by the Doris Duke Foundation with additional support from the Mellon Foundation, it aims to strengthen jazz artists’ work opportunities and compensation while building connections among musicians, presenters, and communities.
Jazz Road Tours supports small tours through traditional and nontraditional venues, particularly in rural, isolated, and underserved communities. Jazz Road Creative Residencies supports self-defined projects for creative development, collaboration, and community engagement. Both programs emphasize artistic growth and meaningful career impact. Jazz Road recognizes jazz’s roots in the African-American experience and communal music-making, with diversity, inclusion, equity, and increased support for women in jazz guiding program priorities.
