NEA Performing Arts Global Exchange, FY2019 | NEAPS1805

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NEA Performing Arts Global Exchange (PAGE) program?

The NEA Performing Arts Global Exchange (PAGE), FY2019 (Funding Opportunity Number NEAPS1805; CFDA 45.024) is a discretionary program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to bring high-quality international performing arts to communities across the United States. A core goal is to encourage deeper cultural understanding by creating direct exposure to artists from other countries, especially in places that do not often experience international performance.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to expand access to global artistic traditions and contemporary international work for U.S. communities. The program is structured to strengthen international cultural exchange at the local level by supporting U.S. presenters who host vetted international artists and ensembles.

Who is this opportunity primarily funding?

This opportunity was designed to fund one U.S. Regional Arts Organization (RAO) through a single cooperative agreement award. The selected organization (the "Cooperator") would administer the PAGE program for the 2020-2021 cycle.

Does the NEA fund individual presenters directly through this top-level award?

No. Instead of funding individual presenting organizations directly at the top level, the NEA planned to make one cooperative agreement award to a U.S. Regional Arts Organization that would act as the program administrator and run a subgrant program for nonprofit presenting organizations.

What is a "Cooperator" in this program?

The Cooperator is the organization selected by the NEA to receive the cooperative agreement and administer PAGE. The Cooperator would establish and manage the subgrant process, support nonprofit presenters, and ensure funded engagements meet PAGE program requirements.

How would nonprofit presenting organizations receive support under PAGE?

Nonprofit presenting organizations would apply to the Cooperator for subgrants. Support would be available when presenters book artists from an NEA-approved roster of international performing artists and ensembles.

Do presenters have to select artists from a specific list?

Yes. Presenting organizations would be able to apply for support when they book artists from an NEA-approved roster of international performing artists and ensembles.

What kinds of activities are required for a funded engagement?

Each supported engagement must include at least one public performance and also include activities that create meaningful interaction between audiences and visiting artists. The intent is for the exchange to be a cultural dialogue, not just a touring stop.

What are examples of the required interaction or exchange activities?

Examples provided include public talks, workshops, master classes, demonstrations, or other audience-facing events that encourage learning and connection between artists and community members.

Is the program focused on underserved communities?

Yes. A strong emphasis is placed on reaching underserved communities, particularly those with limited access to international performing arts programming.

How does PAGE decide what international artists or countries are eligible?

Because PAGE is framed as a global exchange initiative, the NEA intended to work jointly with the Cooperator to select a specific region of the world to highlight on a biennial basis and to identify which countries within that region would be eligible.

What does it mean that PAGE highlights a region on a biennial basis?

It means the program would concentrate attention on a particular world region for a two-year cycle, creating a focused and cohesive curatorial identity while still supporting a range of artistic forms and perspectives within that highlighted region.

What are examples of regions that could be highlighted?

Examples mentioned include North Africa, Southeast Asia, or the Nordic countries.

What type of federal funding instrument is this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered as a Cooperative Agreement (not a standard grant). This typically indicates a closer working relationship between the NEA and the selected Cooperator during planning and execution.

What is the maximum award amount for the cooperative agreement?

The award ceiling listed was $300,000.

What cycle would the selected Cooperator administer?

The selected Cooperator would serve as the program administrator for the 2020-2021 PAGE cycle.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was created on November 6, 2018, and the original application closing date was January 15, 2019.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is NEAPS1805, and the CFDA number is 45.024.

Who is eligible to apply based on the provided eligibility information?

Eligibility, as provided in the source data, was limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

Why are institutions of higher education excluded from eligibility?

The provided information states that eligibility excludes institutions of higher education. No additional rationale is included in the opportunity description provided here.

How does this program support cultural understanding?

PAGE aims to foster deeper cultural understanding through direct exposure to international artists and by requiring engagement activities (beyond performances) that encourage learning, conversation, and connection between visiting artists and local audiences.

What is the role of the regional focus in the program design?

The regional focus helps concentrate attention, build curatorial cohesion, and create a recognizable program identity over the cycle, while still enabling a variety of artistic forms and viewpoints from eligible countries within the selected region.