Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color
Arts Midwest

Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color supports folklife and traditional arts rooted in communities of color by investing in artists/practitioners and the community organizations that care for them. It is a national funding program managed by the six U.S. regional arts organizations (RAOs).
Often called the “art of everyday life,” folklife includes traditional art forms and other creative expressions that reflect the aesthetics, practices, values, and beliefs of community groups. All traditions are connected to the history of the communities that practice them, but they are not just art forms of the past. Instead, they are “living traditions” that adapt to remain relevant in a changing world, including new and emerging traditions. Individuals and communities use traditional arts to build collective power, engage in healing, and strengthen their identity. Walking Together serves traditional artists/practitioners and organizations that show a deep commitment to sustaining folklife rooted in communities of color.
in brief
- What is it?
Walking Together offers $15,000 grants for traditional artists/practitioners and $50,000 grants for community organizations rooted in communities of color.
- Who can apply?
Traditional artists, practitioners, and keepers of traditional knowledge rooted in communities of color, and community organizations and collectives that support folklife in communities of color.
- Where?
You or your organization must be located in one of the 56 states and jurisdictions served by the the United States Regional Arts Organizations.
- When to apply?
Walking Together has a two-step application process. Traditional artists/practitioners and organizations are invited to complete a brief Round 1 Self-Nomination form, due March 19, 2025.