Jazz Road Creative Residencies
South Arts funds jazz artists to design residencies focused on creative practice and community engagement, including a special track for artists 55+ to reflect on and share their jazz legacy.
Funder: South Arts
Due Dates: May 1, 2026 (Full application) | April 2, 2025 (Previous cycle full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $40,000 per residency project; grants are awarded directly to artists; no match required.
Summary: Supports jazz artists to create original residencies that deepen creative practice and community engagement, including a special track for artists aged 55+ to reflect on and share their jazz legacy.
Description
This program, administered by South Arts, funds jazz artists to design and carry out original, artist-driven residencies anywhere in the U.S. Residencies may focus on artistic creation, meaningful community engagement, or both, and are intended to amplify the social power of jazz through connection, storytelling, and shared experiences. Projects can involve developing or recording new work, collaborating across disciplines, or engaging specific communities through interactive or reflective activities.
Two main tracks are available:
- Jazz & Human Connection: Open to all professional jazz artists or ensembles, supporting residencies that explore human connection through jazz.
- Jazz Road Legacy Residencies: For jazz artists aged 55 and older, providing time and resources to reflect on, create, and share their artistic legacy, with collaborative planning and support from South Arts.
Residencies can be one to four weeks (continuous or non-contiguous), and may occur in a wide variety of venues or community settings. Projects must be artist-centered and may include, but are not limited to, new work development, recording, mentoring, storytelling, or cross-generational exchange.
