New England States Touring (NEST) Grant
The NEST grant funds New England nonprofits to present regional, professional artists in public events, promoting cross-state cultural exchange and community engagement in the arts.
Funder: New England Foundation for the Arts
Due Dates: August 3, 2026 | December 1, 2026 | April 1, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to 60% of artist fee, maximum $5,000 per grant; $500 minimum; up to 100% for artist fees ≤$2,000; up to 2 applications per deadline.
Summary: Supports New England nonprofits to present NEST-eligible regional artists for public performances and community engagement, fostering cross-state cultural exchange.
Description
This program supports New England-based nonprofit organizations in presenting public performances, readings, or screenings by professional artists who are NEST-eligible and based in New England. There are two main tracks:
- NEST 1: For a single nonprofit presenting a NEST-eligible artist from a different New England state.
- NEST 2: For two nonprofits (one inside and one outside the artist’s home state) collaborating to present the same NEST-eligible artist.
The grant aims to increase access to high-quality arts experiences, encourage community engagement, and strengthen the region’s arts infrastructure. Priority is given to projects introducing new arts experiences and fostering collaborative planning among presenters and artists.
