We Support Artists
Alternate ROOTS’ programs provide vital financial resources to our members – artists and culture bearers whose work is rooted in community, place, tradition, or spirit. Our funding and fiscal sponsorship programs are only open to ROOTS general and voting members. You can learn more about membership here.
Through all our programs, we live out our mission of supporting artists and cultural workers while striving for justice.
Artistic Assistance
Our longest-running funding program, Artistic Assistance provides direct support to individual artists and cultural workers in the South to enhance their skills, create unique projects, and build community. The program has two funding areas: Professional Development and Project Development.
- 2026 Professional Development applications closed this spring.
- 2026 Project Development applications open September 10th and close October 5th.
Artistic Assistance
Our longest-running funding program, Artistic Assistance provides direct support to individual artists and cultural workers in the South to enhance their skills, create unique projects, and build community. The program has two funding areas: Professional Development and Project Development.
Professional Development applications are closed
Project Development applications open: Fall 2026
Fiscal Sponsorship Program
Through our Fiscal Sponsorship Program we provide the 501(c)(3) status small arts and culture organizations need to apply for grants and receive donations. The sponsored project could be an individual project, a one time collaboration, or a new organization. In return for this service, Alternate ROOTS collects a fee based on the total donations received by the sponsored organizations.
Advanced Well-Being in the Arts
Advancing Well-Being in the Arts is a new program offered by Alternate ROOTS through our participation in the National Arts Partnership. This program exists to promote economic and cultural justice.
Advancing Well-Being in the Arts will not be accepting applications in 2026.
Advanced Well-being in the Arts
Advancing Well-Being in the Arts is a new program offered by Alternate ROOTS through our participation in the National Arts Partnership. This program exists to promote economic and cultural justice.
Advancing Well-Being in the Arts will not be accepting applications in 2026.
Partners in Action
Partners in Action is an 18-month program that provides funding and technical support for artist-partnerships projects in grassroots communities throughout the US South. Partners in Action highlights the alchemy that happens when art and organizing combine.
Partners in Action will not be accepting applications in 2026.
Partners for Change
Partners for Change is Alternate ROOTS’ first multi-year funding program. It allows us to invest deeply in artist-community partnerships that imagine and practice racial justice.
Partners for Change will not be accepting applications in 2026.
