USArtists International Announces Global Expansion

With support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Trust for Mutual Understanding, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has announced a major expansion of USArtists International, a national initiative solely dedicated to promoting the work of American performing artists abroad. 

Formerly limited to supporting dance and music ensembles invited to perform at international festivals in Europe, USAI will now encompass festivals anywhere in the world outside the United States. The program will also be open to support American theater companies and solo performances in all performing arts disciplines.

Grants are available to American dance, music, and theater ensembles and solo artists that have been invited to participate in international festivals outside of the United States. 

Eligible applicants must be dance, music, or theater ensembles, including practitioners of folk and traditional forms, that work at a professional level; consist of a majority of members who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.; and have 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status, or have a fiscal sponsor with such status. 

Eligible festivals must be sponsored or organized primarily by a non-U.S. based organization; be international in scope with representation from at least two countries outside the host country, or have a U.S. theme with representation from at least three U.S. performing groups; reach a wide audience and be open and marketed to the general public; provide the applicant with a signed letter of invitation or signed contract to perform at the festival; and provide some support to the invited ensembles in the form of cash remuneration, paid travel-related expenses, or in-kind contributions.

Upcoming deadlines for the program are January 9, 2009, for projects taking place between March 1, 2009, and February 28, 2010; and May 4, 2009, for projects taking place between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010.

The USAI guidelines are available at the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Web site.

full article w/ links here: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=228100032

(thanks for the tip Boo!)