TAN Fund Grants
2026 Application Timeline
May 1 – Applications Open
May 31 – Application Deadline
June 21 – Awardees Announced
June 28 – Grants Mailed to Awardees
Traditional arts are rooted in and reflective of the cultural life of a community. These vital artistic traditions are passed from generation to generation, most often within family and community. TAN supports the work of traditional artists preserving a cultural heritage from all countries of origin and indigenous communities.
The Traditional Arts Network (TAN) Fund will provide grants of up to $1,000 to individual artists, ensembles, and organizations based in Maine in who seek to:
Uplift traditional artists
Support cultural preservation
Sustain community artistic practices
The funding may support a range of activities and purchases. Past examples include paying artists to perform and teach, purchasing instruments and equipment, advertising events, video recording and production, photography, transportation expenses, and rehearsal space.
Awardees are selected by a TAN Advisory Council composed of community members and traditional artists.
Facilitators are available to answer questions and help you complete an application. Interpretation and translation are available upon request. To request assistance, please email tan@mayostreetarts.org or call (207) 879-4629.
This project is supported in part by The Maine Arts Commission, which receives support in part from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
TAN Fund Application Form
2025 TAN FUND
RECIPIENTS
Afghan Women Arts Group · $1,000
To support materials, workshop space, and training for members seeking to preserve their cultural heritage and create income opportunities
Estory Azizi - Handicrafts, particularly in crafting dresses with various designs and styles
Maryam Ghulam Hassan - Henna design and painting for festive occasions such as Eid and weddings
Jawahar Joya Pashio - Handicrafts such as table top covers, couch covers, scarves, and ice embroidery
Zahira Sadat - Cooking traditional dishes such as Mantu, Ashak, Qabuli Palaw, and Bolani
Uwera Elyse · $1,000
To support lessons teaching Rwandese students how to make traditional woven grass mats
Apphia Kamanda Mpay · $1,000
To support training for a fashion design student interested in learning about traditional West African form of embellishment and hand embroidery
[ Name Withheld ] · $1,000
To purchase drums from Rwanda that will be used to teach young community members and some adults
Watt Samaki Temple · $1,000
To build statues and a garden for the new Temple in Westbrook in collaboration with Khmer Maine
2024 TAN FUND
RECIPIENTS
[ Name Withheld ] · $1,000
Teaching children Rwandan drumming to preserve cultural heritage
Clarisse Karasira · $1,000
Recording an album of Rwandan and African traditional songs
Gloire Ilonde Eale Bolele · $1,000
Creating a series of artworks to promote cultural dialogue around Congolese Urban Arts
Firefly The Hybrid · $1,000
Creating a music video for the song “River,” celebrating the Penobscot River and calling attention to issues facing it such as pollution
Kifah Abdulla · $1,000
Conducting a series of public workshops on Arabic calligraphy
Oga Suya, LLC · $500
Growing a Nigerian BBQ business
Orson Horchler · $1,000
Recording some of the 400 traditional Albanian songs gathered by folklorist and accordionist Ylli Brekofca
Veeva Banga · $1,000
Teaching a blend of traditional and contemporary dance to young students from Congo, Tanzania, and Zande
Yuliia Derkach · $500
Preparing a series of Ukrainian folk art paintings for an arts festival
2023 TAN FUND
RECIPIENTS
Batimbo United · $750
Burundian drumming and dance ensemble; will purchase materials in Africa that are needed for women to begin participating in the ensemble
Ylli Brekofca · $750
Albanian folk musician; will purchase a professional accordion for performances
Sayon Camara · $550
Guinean musician, drummer, storyteller, and dancer; will research potential schools and public spaces to bring a different cultural experience to the community
FAKI (Fanfare Kimbanguiste) · $700
Congolese church band; will purchase additional instruments & replace faulty instruments
Ikirenga cy’Intore · $700
Rwandese dance & drum group; will use funding to support their upcoming Tales of Bells and Drums performance
Gloire “Bolele” Ilonde · $750
Congolese-Brazilian fusion musician & artist; purchasing supplies to combine their visual art with their original music
Clarisse Karasira · $550
Rwandan traditional signer, songwriter, and dancer; hiring fellow Rwandan musicians for her Bakundwa album release concert
Namory Keita · $700
Guinean master drummer; will purchase new djembes to grow his teaching career
Carine Kitenge · $750
Congolese hair stylist; will purchase wigs and supplies to teach children to do their hair
Baba Ly · $550
Fulani acoustic guitar player & storyteller; will purchase additional sound system equipment
Tresor Muteba Mukendi · $550
Congolese actor and educator; will use funding for video recording, space rentals, and transportation
Sayalí Robles · $750
Taíno indigenous artist with African roots; will continue a Bomba dance apprenticeship to prepare to form a group and bring Borikén’s (now called Puerto Rico) culture to Maine
2022 TAN FUND
RECIPIENTS
Batimbo United · $1,000
Burundian drumming and dance ensemble; will offset shipping expenses to transport a new set of drums from Burundi
FAKI (Fanfare Kimbanguiste) · $1,000
Congolese church band; will purchase more instruments for their group, including a tuba
Jawad al Fatlawi · $1,000
Master oud player & luthier; will begin the construction of a new, guitar-shaped, “Goldeneye” oud
Michelle Kazaka · $1,000
Writer & storyteller; will publish and promote her memoir, How Long the Night
Namory Keita · $1,000
Guinean master drummer; will purchase new drums for his students to grow his teaching career
Baba Ly · $1,000
Fulani acoustic guitar player and storyteller; will purchase a professional sound system to support his work
Sabina Najafova · $1,000
Dancer & visual artist who hails from Azerbaijan; will purchase visual arts materials and new costume for performances
Sayalí Robles · $1,000
Taíno indigenous artist with African roots; will create a Bomba dance apprenticeship group and bring the culture of Borikén—now called Puerto Rico—to Maine
