Funding for community events, projects, and publications featuring participatory dance, music, or song
CDSS grants help
- create new participatory music, dance, and song events (including series, weekends, and week-long programs)
- boost existing participatory series or events
- train callers, musicians, singers, and organizers (including equity and anti-racism training)
- encourage youth involvement
- publish instruction materials (print, web, audio, video)
- conduct and disseminate research on traditional dance, music, and song
- sponsor attendance at non-CDSS programs for training purposes
- create related endeavors that will have a lasting effect on dance, music, and song communities
Eligible applicants
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Individuals and organizations promoting traditional dance, music, and/or song with English and North American roots
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All are welcome to apply. Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received funding and to CDSS Members and Affiliates.
Funding requests
- Up to $500 (occasional larger grants for projects with a broad impact)
- For program-related expenses (callers, musicians, workshop leaders, etc.) rather than operational expenses (publicity, supplies, etc.)
For questions about the suitability of your application, contact [email protected].
When to apply
- For events: 1-2 months before starting your publicity
- For other projects: 1-2 months before funding is needed
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Requirements for recipients
Click here to find out about requirements for grant recipients, including logo usage.
You will be notified when we receive your application. If you have not received notification within a few days, contact [email protected].
Recent Recipients
Circle Up Calling Zine
Creating a collection of square dances and thoughts toward promoting inclusivity
Brattleboro Bal Folk
Guilford, VT
Hosting a series of bal folk dances with live music
Fiddlehead Field Kids Orchestra
Campton, NH
Hosting a community Renaissance dance to showcase young musicians and callers
Housatonic Family Contra Dance
Housatonic, MA
Starting a new dance series for all ages
John C. Campbell Folk School
Brasstown, NC
Hosting a community dance series using positional calling
Moab Community Dance Band
Moab, UT
Hosting a series of workshops for new callers
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
Nobska Lights/S’wap Sword Dance Workshop
Woods Hole, MA
Hosting a workshop/figure swap between youth rapper sword teams and adult rapper and longsword teams
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
Traditional American Dance and Music Society
Richmond, VA
Hosting workshops for dance musicians
Funded by the Chuck Ward Musicians Training Fund
Squirrel Moon Contra Dance Weekend
Dodgeville, WI
Continuing a contra dance weekend post-COVID
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
Raise the Rafters
Rhododendron, OR
Creating a youth-oriented traditional singing event in the Pacific Northwest
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
RiverJam Romp
Marlboro, VT
Hosting a weekend of community dances and workshops for musicians
Yuletide Frolick
Lawrence, KS
Hosting a festive dance weekend and callers’ workshop
Past Recipients
Burlington Family Contra Dance
Burlington, VT
Creating a community family contra dance for all ages and abilities
Funded by the May Gadd/Phil Merrill Fund
The Marley Project
Michigan
Archiving the full set of historic Marley family dances, from the Vaudeville era
Funded by the Anthony Barrand Research & Stewardship Fund
Make Every Space Safer in Trad Music Communities
Nasons, VA
Creating a set of community agreements that people in our music communities can commit to
DanceFlurry Organization
Albany, NY
Participating in online diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts
Northampton, MA
Providing online lessons with New England musicians
Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group
Bloomington, IN
Hosting a workshop for new contra dance callers
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
Madison Contra Collective
Madison, WI
Hosting an open band workshop for the Madison Contra Collective Band
Funded by the Mary Kay Friday Leadership Training Fund
Stars in the Rafters
Brattleboro, VT
Creating a podcast to provide comfort and community connections through traditional music, song, and poetry
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.
