Jazz Road Tours

Overview

Jazz Road Tours supports three- to six-site tours at an array of venue types, often in rural communities and other areas traditionally underserved by the genre. This artist-centric grant program—designed to support approximately 50 tours each year—is made possible with funds from the Doris Duke Foundation with additional support from the Mellon Foundation.

Award

• Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to cover eligible expenses
• Up to $2,500 may be used for non-musician personnel (childcare, audio/video personnel, social media managers, tour managers)
• Grant funds are taxable; grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws when reporting grant income

Eligibility

• Professional jazz artist, working solo or in composer-led or collective ensemble of 2-10 musicians
• Age 18 or over and not currently a full-time student
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident based in the U.S. or its territories
• Previous grantees may only reapply for tours with a funding deadline at least one year from the previous grant's project end date

Eligible Tours

• Three to six sites on contiguous dates
• Total distance of at least 250 miles or reach at least one site 250 miles from applicant's home base
• Flexibility possible around three-day spreads between dates or to avoid Monday/Tuesday shows if band remains on the road
• Tours must occur within designated dates for each grant cycle and take place in U.S. or territories
• Can be within one state, cross state lines, or travel to multiple regions
• Public performances; shows may require admission, suggest door amounts, or be free
• At least three separate venues must be included; engagements can be for multiple nights

Eligible Expenses

• Performance fees for artist/ensemble
• Travel (ground and air)
• Hotel/lodging
• Meals
• Backline equipment for artists (if presenter is not providing)
• Road/sound/tour manager fees
• Up to $2,500 for non-musician personnel: childcare, audio/video personnel, social media managers, tour managers

Eligible Venues

• Nonprofit and commercial established jazz presenters and clubs
• Performing arts centers, theaters, and concert halls
• Universities, colleges, and institutions of higher education
• Jazz festivals
• Local arts agencies/councils
• Radio station live segments
• Artist spaces
• Community centers
• Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship
• Embassies
• Galleries and museums
• Listening rooms and libraries
• House concerts
• Open-air markets
• Retail and civic/municipal events

Program Priorities

Providing jazz artists financial assistance for performances/tours that increases their ability to earn income by connecting with a variety of communities in traditional and non-traditional venues. Giving artists business development tools to advance their careers beyond subsidies and grants. South Arts believes that artists should receive fair pay for their time, work, and expertise, and that allowing artists (as opposed to venues/agents) to control engagements offers a unique level of creative autonomy and ownership. Jazz Road will prioritize applications that include engagements in rural areas or that reach typically underserved communities, especially those that lack opportunities to present live jazz. Applicants that make a compelling case for how the tour will impact their careers in new ways are more competitive.

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: March 10, 2026