Mid Atlantic Arts

BACKGROUND

Mid Atlantic Arts is one of six Regional Arts Organizations in the United States and celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2024. Serving the states, jurisdictions, and territories of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia, Mid Atlantic also engages in national and international work focused on performing arts touring.

Mid Atlantic Arts works in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, our member state arts agencies, and a small group of private funders to provide programming that meets the needs of both our constituent artists and organizations, but also communities throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. The governance of the organization consists of a twenty member board with representatives from each state within the region.

Mid Atlantic Arts realizes its mission, goals, and guiding principles through a series of grantmaking and other arts-related programming. Foremost among these principles is our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access – we are working to frame all of our work moving forward through this lens.

For more information on Mid Atlantic Arts, please visit www.midatlanticarts.org.

MISSION

Mid Atlantic Arts nurtures and funds the creation and presentation of diverse artistic expression and connects people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond.

VISION

Mid Atlantic Arts envisions a future in which artists and creators are actively engaged with diverse communities to energize the transformative power of the arts.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Artistry and Creative Expression – Mid Atlantic Arts values the pursuit of artistry and the promotion of creative expression. We believe that the arts are an essential part of life, enriching our human experience and contributing to communities’ overall well-being.

Diversity – Mid Atlantic Arts values the abundant and expansive diversity that exists within our region, our nation, and the world. We honor and celebrate the mid-Atlantic’s people, artistic and community resources and, most notably, our many forms of cultural expression, and believe them to be major sources of strength in our region.

Equity and Access – Mid Atlantic Arts acknowledges that long-standing systems and practices within the arts sector have led to significant barriers to equitable access and investment for individuals and across communities. We are committed to the implementation of equitable practices through intentional and sustained focus and accountability.

Curiosity and Listening – Mid Atlantic Arts believes listening to and understanding those we serve leads to relevant and responsive programs and policies. We are committed to ongoing evaluation, analysis, and evolution of our work and practices. We are also committed to the development and support of learning communities, stakeholder convening, and the achievement of best practices to improve our services to the field.

Partnerships and Collaborations – Mid Atlantic Arts values the relationships with our many trusted partners across the region, the United States, and internationally that extend the reach and impact of our programs. We recognize the National Endowment for the Arts, our state and jurisdictional arts agencies, fellow regional arts agencies, donors, funders, service organizations, and other stakeholders as key allies in fulfilling our mission.

PEOPLE SERVED

The mid-Atlantic region is home to 25% of the nation’s artists and arts organizations.  From the largest metropolitan area in the country, to small island territories, the region Mid Atlantic Arts serves truly mirrors the diverse populations, geography, and arts forms of the U.S. The constituents and partners include presenting organizations, performing arts touring companies and artists, arts councils, individual artists, and other types of organizations that are interested in bringing arts experiences and performers to their communities. To learn more about our programs, please visit: https://www.midatlanticarts.org/grants-programs/