The Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT) Experiences grant program is an initiative by Mid Atlantic Arts aimed at fostering public-facing arts projects that celebrate and sustain folk and traditional arts in designated Appalachian counties within Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The program is part of a broader effort to promote cultural preservation and community cohesion through the elevation of traditional artistic practices and cultural knowledge.
Projects funded under the CALT Experiences program must occur primarily within counties designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These projects are expected to actively involve communities and highlight living traditions in meaningful ways. Eligible activities include hands-on workshops, public art initiatives, exhibitions, performance events or series, film and video productions, radio programs, podcasts, as well as archival or fieldwork initiatives that incorporate a public dissemination element.
Applicants may request grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. A minimum of 85% of the awarded funds must be directed toward direct project expenses. The remaining 15% may optionally be allocated to indirect costs associated with the applicant’s organizational or operational needs. There is no match requirement for this program, reducing financial barriers for eligible applicants.
Eligible applicants include individual traditional artists or practitioners, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized Tribal governments. Fiscal sponsorship arrangements are not allowed, and applicants must be in good standing with Mid Atlantic Arts. Additionally, organizations may not apply for the CALT Experiences grant in the same calendar year as they apply to the Folk & Traditional Arts Community Projects or Mid Atlantic Presenters Initiative programs.
The online application portal for the 2026 grant cycle opens on December 3, 2025, with the application deadline set for March 18, 2026, at 11:59pm ET. Informational webinars and office hour sessions are offered from January through March to assist potential applicants. Funding decisions will be announced on June 18, 2026, and the grant-supported project period will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Program contacts include Ellie Dassler, Program Director for Folk and Traditional Arts, and Joel Chapman, Program Associate, both of whom are available for guidance throughout the application process.
Emphasize local engagement and cultural transmission; align with ARC region focus.
