Dear Colleagues,
The National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) has announced guidelines and application materials for the principal grants category, Grants for Arts Projects (GAP). Application deadlines are February 12, and July 9 for projects taking place beginning in 2027.
Within the guidelines, there is an important update for artist residency programs: Artist Communities is no longer a stand-alone discipline within the GAP grant structure.
Residency programs are still eligible to apply, and we want to ensure the field is informed and prepared to navigate this shift:
- Multidisciplinary residencies should apply under the Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works category.
- Residency programs focused in a single discipline should apply directly under that discipline’s category, which include: Arts Education, Dance, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Museums, Music, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater & Musical Theater, and Visual & Media Arts.
While this change represents a reclassification, NEA staff have affirmed that the Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works category remains a broad and inclusive option, and that residency programs should not need to substantially alter their application approach. That said, it’s important to review how your project aligns with the FY27 GAP funding priorities as outlined in the updated program guidelines.
This change also arrives at a moment of reflection and celebration.
2025 marks the 15th anniversary of Artist Communities as a dedicated subcategory at the NEA.
ACA’s advocacy on behalf of the field led directly to the creation of a separate selection panel for residencies, resulting in a 48% increase in NEA funding to artist communities. As we honor this milestone, we remain committed to strengthening the visibility and sustainability of residency programs through continued federal investment.
We encourage all artist residency programs to begin preparing early and to reach out with questions. ACA is here to support our network in navigating this transition and continuing to champion artist-centered work through public funding.
Key Dates:
Cycle 1 Deadline: February 12, 2026
Cycle 2 Deadline: July 9, 2026
With care and in solidarity,
The ACA Team
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Join NYFA and Northern Virginia arts partners for a free online panel on February 12 focused on crafting compelling narratives for residencies, exhibitions, and open calls. RSVP.
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Have a tip you’d like to share with the ACA network? Email comms@artistcommunities.org