NEA Performing Arts Discovery Program, FY2022

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has a long history of bringing the benefits of international exchange to audiences, artists, and arts organizations nationwide. For many years, however, there have been limited opportunities for foreign arts presenters to come to the United States and see artists at events in geographically diverse areas of our country. Opportunities such as these create new markets for working artists, expand mutual understanding, and raise the profile of each participating U.S. region. The NEA’s Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program addresses this ongoing gap through support to the Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs) for activities that showcase U.S.-based performing artists to arts presenters based outside of the United States. PAD has operated virtually since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has sustained its efforts as a networking and exchange program, with online activities to ensure U.S. artists continue to have the resources and relationships to connect with global presenters and audiences. The program will continue to be offered virtually. In 2022, the NEA will award one (1) grant of up to $200,000 to an RAO to manage the program nationwide. The NEA’s period of performance support may begin no earlier than October 1, 2022 and extend for up to 24 months. The award recipient may not receive more than one NEA award for the same project/costs during the same or an overlapping period of performance.