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

May 1, 2026 (Full application) | April 2, 2025 (Previous cycle full application)

Up to $40,000 per residency project; grants are awarded directly to artists; no match required.

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. --- ## Due Dates - **May 1, 2026**: Full application deadline (current cycle) - **April 2, 2025**: Full application deadline (previous cycle) --- ## Funding Amount - **Grant size**: Up to $40,000 per residency project. - **Awarded directly to artists** (as individuals, artist-led nonprofits, or corporations). - **No matching funds required**. - Funds may be used for artist fees, collaborator fees, travel, lodging, meals, equipment rental, space rental, production, marketing, community engagement, and more (see eligible expenses below). - 75% of the grant is paid in advance; the remaining 25% is paid upon completion and approval of the final report. --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply**: - Professional jazz artists (individuals, artist-led nonprofits, or artist-led corporations) based in the U.S. or its territories. - Collectives or bands may apply if a single lead applicant is designated. - Jazz must play a significant role in the applicant’s work; cross-genre artists are eligible if jazz is core to their practice. - For Legacy Residencies: Lead applicant (or all ensemble members, up to 3) must be at least 55 years old. - **Who cannot apply**: - Previous recipients of Jazz Road Creative Residencies (but prior Jazz Road Tours awardees are eligible). - Student ensembles or university-based projects (unless the lead applicant is an independent artist unaffiliated with the institution). - **Residency requirements**: - Must be 1–4 weeks in total duration (continuous or not) and occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. - Must take place in the U.S. or its territories. - Can be with or without partner organizations. - Must involve more than just recording an album; community engagement or creative exploration is required. --- ## Application Process - **Application portal**: [South Arts Salesforce Grants Portal](https://southarts.my.site.com/grants/s/) - **Submission**: Applications (including Letters of Intent/Agreement from collaborators/partners and work samples) must be submitted online or postmarked by the deadline. - **Required materials**: - Artist and collaborator information - Project narrative and outcomes - Residency summary, timeline, and locations - Budget using the [required template](https://www.southarts.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/2025%20Budget%20Template%20Creative%20Residency.xlsx) - Signed Letters of Intent/Agreements from key collaborators or partner organizations - Three video/audio work samples - **Review criteria** (each 25%): Artistic excellence, project narrative, residency outcomes, and capacity to complete the project. - **Notification**: Awards are typically announced in June following the application deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible expenses** include: artist/collaborator fees, travel, lodging, meals, equipment rental, space rental, production costs, marketing, community engagement, evaluation, child/elder care, and COVID-19 safety costs. - **Ineligible expenses**: Purchase of instruments, equipment, or other durable goods. - **Partner organizations** (if included) can be nonprofit or commercial, and may provide financial or in-kind support. - **Reporting**: Grantees must submit a final report with outcomes and documentation. - **Multiple applications**: Allowed per cycle if projects are distinct; only one award per cycle per applicant. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Guidelines](https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities/jazz-road-creative-residencies) - [Application Portal](https://southarts.my.site.com/grants/s/) - [FAQ](https://www.southarts.org/programs/jazz-road/jazz-road-creative-residencies-faq) - [Contact Jazz Road](https://www.southarts.org/programs/jazz-road/contact-jazz-road) - [Budget Template (XLSX)](https://www.southarts.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/2025%20Budget%20Template%20Creative%20Residency.xlsx) - [Previously Funded Projects](https://www.southarts.org/news/south-arts-announces-2023-jazz-road-creative-residency-grant-recipients) --- ## Contact Information | Region/State(s) | Contact Name | Email | Phone | |------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------| | South Arts (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, all US territories) | Drew Tucker | [dtucker@southarts.org](mailto:dtucker@southarts.org) | 404-874-7244 x813 | | Arts Midwest (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI) | Katie Ortman | [katie.ortman@artsmidwest.org](mailto:katie.ortman@artsmidwest.org) | 612-238-8004 | | Mid-America Arts Alliance (AR, KS, MO, NE, OK, TX) | Christine Dotterweich Bial | [christine@maaa.org](mailto:christine@maaa.org) | 816-421-1388 x227 | | Mid Atlantic Arts (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, USVI, VA, WV) | Ernest Stuart | [estuart@midatlanticarts.org](mailto:estuart@midatlanticarts.org) | 410-539-6656 x116 | | New England Foundation for the Arts (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) | Adrienne Petrillo | [apetrillo@nefa.org](mailto:apetrillo@nefa.org) | 617-423-1178 | | Western Arts Alliance (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY) | Makaveli Gresham | [adminassistant@westarts.org](mailto:adminassistant@westarts.org) | 971-277-6976 | For general questions: [Contact South Arts](https://www.southarts.org/contact) or [jazzroad@southarts.org](mailto:jazzroad@southarts.org). ---

Jazz Road Creative Residencies

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