Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color supports folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities by investing in artists/practitioners and the community organizations that care for them. It is a national funding program managed by the six US regional arts organizations (RAOs). 

Often called the “art of everyday life,” folklife includes traditional art forms and other creative expressions that reflect the aesthetics, practices, values, and beliefs of community groups. All traditions are connected to the history of the communities that practice them, but they are not just art forms of the past.

Instead, they are “living traditions” that adapt to remain relevant in a changing world, including new and emerging traditions. Individuals and communities use traditional arts to build collective power, engage in healing, and strengthen their identity. Walking Together serves traditional artists/practitioners and organizations that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color.  

Initial Self-Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET (10:59 Central)

Who Walking Together is for

  • Traditional artists, practitioners, and keepers of traditional knowledge rooted in communities of color
  • Community organizations and collectives that support folklife in communities of color, including nonprofits, local and tribal governments, businesses, and more
  • Must reside in one of the 56 states and jurisdictions served by the US RAOs

What Walking Together provides

The program will award significant, nonmatching grants to traditional artists, practitioners, and keepers of traditional knowledge that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color,

  • $15,000 grants for traditional artists/practitioners
  • $50,000 grants for community organizations
  • Grant funds have limited restrictions and do not have to be used for a specific project. They may

How to Apply

We invite you to explore the Walking Together full program web page at usregionalarts.org/WalkingTogether/ for more information including:

  • Program guidelines
  • Application link
  • Sign up for January 30 and February 4 webinars
  • Program advising and office hours
  • Spanish language resources

Initial Self-Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET (10:59 Central)