MAP grants are designed to support the work and well-being of performing artists.
Over three decades, the program has distributed 1,600+ grants to thousands of performing artists who have offered extraordinary ideas, not simply to position themselves within a creative marketplace, but for reasons of participating in their communities’ vitality, across the United States and its territories. MAP grantees are at the forefront of re-imagining inherited models of artistic production, cultural paradigms, and related economic practices. Our seed investment is transformational in helping artists test their bold ideas and attract resources to further actualize their long-term ambitions.
UPDATE: MAP’s final national grantee cohort was announced in August 2024. There will be no changes to the services provided to our current cohort of grantees and SPA participants. For more information, click here.
Values
Challenging existing practices in pursuit of justice
MAP grantees undertake daring projects that advance critical conversations, perception shifts, and policy change through experimentation with performance forms.
MAP removes structural barriers from the application and review process such as 501(c)(3) requirements and budget thresholds. The resources available to grantees are designed to be flexible so that artists may choose how they wish to use them.
Working together to foster a healthier environment
MAP grantees demonstrate a commitment to treating their project collaborators with care, respect, and awareness of power dynamics.
MAP staff collaborate within multiple coalition efforts across the sector to improve material conditions for all artists. MAP recognizes its function as a temporary solution to provide support to artists amidst extreme wealth inequality. Our ultimate goal is for competitive grant programs such as ours to be unnecessary.
Banner: 2019 grantee SWITCH SIGNAL by Propelled Animals. Photo by Beth Barbis.