Emerging Traditional Artists Program

About the Open Call

South Arts is pleased to announce the FY26 Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP), a component of the In These Mountains, Central Appalachian Folk Arts and Culture initiative. This program recognizes and supports a new generation of traditional artists that have demonstrated a high level of skill in, commitment to, and leadership in their traditional art form. Artists must reside in an Appalachian Regional Commission-designated County in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee. Awards provide financial support to ETAP participants to ensure the continuation of traditional knowledge and artistic skills within their cultural communities. Selected ETAP artists will receive $5,000 awards (with limited restrictions) to support learning opportunities including training, networking, and promotion. These opportunities should equip traditional artists to expand their own knowledge/practice and to increase the impact of their work within their communities. In addition to cash awards, selected artists will participate in a series of networking and team-building workshops (both online and in-person) with other ETAP awardees, at no cost to themselves, and will be paired with a member of the 2024 ETAP cohort for peer mentorship.

What is Offered

$5,000 awards (with limited restrictions) to support learning opportunities including training, networking, and promotion. Participants will also attend a series of networking and team-building workshops (both online and in-person) at no cost, and will be paired with a peer mentor.

Requirements

Applicants must be an individual folk or traditional artist, in the early stages of their career/practice, at least 18 years of age by September 30, 2025. Must be a United States citizen, lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or have permission to work permanently in the U.S. Must have been a resident of an Appalachian Regional Commission-designated County in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee for at least two years immediately before the application deadline and expect to maintain residency. Artists in ARC counties in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee must practice music, handcrafts/material culture, and/or foodways. Artists in ARC counties in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina must practice handcrafts/material culture. Past awardees of ETAP and In These Mountains Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship are not eligible.

How to Apply

You must submit your ETAP application online using South Arts’ Salesforce Grants Management System. The application deadline is September 30, 2026. You must submit your application by 5:00pm ET. We recommend that you visit Salesforce early to register and become familiar with the system. Be sure to register as an individual to access the Emerging Traditional Artists Program application. Complete your application in Salesforce, including the required materials as detailed below. Required materials include Life Story Questions (written or video) and Work Samples (photographs, audio, video). Optional support materials are encouraged. Applicants should not submit a budget, project partners, or venues.