The mission of the Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, is to enrich and encourage the cultural landscape of the region by supporting artists and arts organizations in their pursuit of creative endeavors. M-AAA focuses on fostering innovation, experimentation, and connection within the arts community, serving as a pivotal resource for the artistic growth and cultural enrichment in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The Regional Touring Program (RTP) aims to support projects by presenting organizations that showcase the work of artists from elsewhere in the M-AAA region. The goal is to encourage the sharing and appreciation of artistic talent across the region, with a focus on making it more accessible in rural communities. Specifically, the program offers financial support to cover up to 50 percent of the artist’s fee for those on a state touring roster, and up to 25 percent for artists who live in the region but are not listed. Organizations in rural areas are eligible for additional financial support to further encourage cultural activities in less populated communities. The grant offers matching funds, allowing for up to $5,000 per project with a cap of three applications or $15,000 in total per organization or artist/scholar each fiscal year.
M-AAA holds a strong preference for projects that offer live, in-person engagement with artists or ensembles. As such, we encourage applicants to design their proposals around these types of experiences. However, we are mindful of the continuing public health challenges posed by COVID-19 and understand that in-person events may not always be feasible. Accordingly, we regard online live streaming activities as suitable alternatives to safely deliver programming to audiences during the ongoing pandemic.