FY 2025 Arts and Music Envoy

Background
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Office of Citizen Exchanges, Cultural Programs Division (ECA/PE/C/CU) is announcing an open competition for the FY 2025 Arts and Music Envoy Program. This program aims to send American artists and arts experts of high artistic merit overseas in programs developed in partnership with U.S. Missions to support foreign policy goals and advance American interests.

The overarching theme for programming in 2026 will be the Semiquincentennial, known as 'America250', which will highlight the nation's rich history in music and the creative arts.

Grant Details
The Arts and Music Envoy program will include approximately 30 cultural exchange programs engaging about 180 professional U.S. artists and cultural experts as envoys. Activities may include high-profile engagements, performances, workshops, masterclasses, and the development of multi-media resource toolkits for America250.

The program will focus on countries important to the Department of State’s public diplomacy mission to build mutual understanding. The applicant must facilitate high-level requests from U.S. Ambassadors and is encouraged to exceed the anticipated numbers if expertise allows for cost-efficiencies. The cooperative agreement will require comprehensive organizational and administrative responsibilities, including recruitment, selection, logistical arrangements, performance monitoring, and evaluation.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. Not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations) and U.S. Not-for-profit Public and private educational institutions. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov and demonstrate at least four years of experience in conducting international exchanges for awards exceeding $130,000.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is anticipated to begin on or about September 15, 2025, lasting for approximately 27 months until December 31, 2027.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant is approximately $3,010,000 pending availability of funds.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed overseas in various countries as determined by U.S. Missions.