Applications open for 2025 South Arts grants cycle

The Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP) is a South Arts grant that supports individual folk and traditional artists in the Southern United States. Designed for artists in the early stages of their careers, the program offers a $5,000 award to fund learning opportunities such as training, networking, and promotion. Participants also join a series of virtual networking workshops and receive peer mentorship from a previous cohort. The award period runs from January 1 2027 to June 30 2027. Eligibility requires artists to be at least 18, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and residents of an Appalachian Regional Commission‑designated county or a Delta Regional Authority‑designed county for at least two years, or members of a federally or state‑recognized Native American tribe. Past awardees of ETAP or the In These Mountains Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship are ineligible. Applications are submitted online via South Arts’ Salesforce Grants Management System, with a deadline of September 30 2026. The program is recurring annually and offers financial support, virtual workshops, and mentorship, but does not provide housing or travel stipends.

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