Coltrane 100: Philly Community Project Grant 2026

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Coltrane 100: Philly Community Project Grant is an investment in the artists who carry Philadelphia jazz tradition forward. In recognition of John Coltrane’s 100th birthday and his connection to Philadelphia, this program places resources directly in the hands of local jazz artists to bring Coltrane’s legacy to our city’s communities.

This is not a commission for a single event. It is an invitation to every funded artist to become a contributor to the larger citywide celebration.

Grants are offered through two tracks designed to meet artists where they are: one for artists who are ready to independently curate and produce their own community programming, and one for artists who would benefit from curatorial and production support to develop a short series of projects.

Goals

• Place artist fees and production resources directly with Philadelphia jazz artists
• Extend centennial programming into neighborhoods across the city
• Build a connected network of centennial-designated community projects
• Support both established and emerging artists in producing meaningful work
• Reflect the centennial’s commitment to equity, access, and community as foundation 

THE TWO GRANT TRACKS

Both tracks are unified under the Coltrane100: Philly umbrella, coordinated through the advisory planning group, and held to the same core values. The difference is in the level of curatorial and production support provided.

 

Track A: Community Voice Grant

The Community Voice Grant supports Philadelphia jazz artists in independently producing their own centennial-designated community projects. Grantees are the curators, producers, and artistic leads of their programming, designing events that reflect their own relationship to Coltrane’s legacy and their community.

What Track A Supports

• Artist and collaborator fees
• Venue rental or site costs
• Basic production and sound needs
• Promotional materials for the event
• Any other costs directly related to the project

Track A Requirements

• 1-3 community projects held between September 20 and November 6, 2026
• At least one project held in a community setting outside of traditional jazz venues (community centers, libraries, parks, houses of worship, neighborhood spaces, etc.)
• Events are free or low-cost to the public (suggested: no more than $10 suggested donation)
• Events are listed and promoted through centennial-designated channels
• Artist submits a brief post-event report (attendance, photos, written reflection)
• Artist acknowledges all Coltrane100: Philly partners in all event materials
• Award: Up to $2,500 (proposed budget)
• Award: Up to 6 awards

Track B: Curated Series Grant

The Curated Series Grant pairs a Philadelphia jazz artist with an experienced curatorial advisor to develop a short series of community projects. The artist brings their vision and community connection; the advisor brings curatorial guidance, production support, and centennial integration. The result is a cohesive, well-produced series that reflects both the artist’s voice and the broader goals of the centennial.

What Track B Supports

• Artist fees for 2-3 projects
• Curatorial advisor fee (held by Ars Nova Workshop; not deducted from artist award)
• Venue and site costs
• Production and sound support
• Promotional materials for the series
• Artist development time (pre-production meetings with advisor)

How Track B Works

1. Artist applies with a vision statement and community context, not a fully formed program
2. The advisory planning group selects Track B grantees 
3. Artist and curatorial advisor meet over 2-3 sessions to develop the series concept, select venues, and shape programming
4. Series of 2-3 projects is produced between September 20 and November 6, 2026
5. Artist and advisor co-submit post-series documentation to the advisory planning group

Track B Requirements

• 2-3 community projects held between September 20 and November 6, 2026
• Series must demonstrate a through-line: a coherent curatorial idea connecting the projects
• At least one project in a community setting outside traditional jazz venues
• Events are free or low-cost to the public (suggested: no more than $10 suggested donation)
• Series listed and promoted through centennial-designated channels
• Artist and advisor submit a post-series report and documentation
• Award: Up to $4,500 per artist (proposed budget)
• Award: Up to 3 awards

Note: The curator/advisor fee is an additional cost held by Ars Nova Workshop and is not deducted from the artist’s award.

ELIGIBILITY

Who May Apply

• Philadelphia-based jazz musicians and ensembles (primary residence or primary artistic home in Philadelphia)
• Individual artists or groups; ensemble applications must designate a primary applicant/lead artist
• Emerging and mid-career artists 
• Artists already participating in other centennial programming are eligible

Who Is Not Eligible

• Artists based outside of Philadelphia
• Organizations (grants are for individual artists or artist-led ensembles, not institutions)
• Established artists
• Jazz Philadelphia, Ars Nova Workshop, WRTI, Creative PHL staff and board members, or immediate family members thereof

Track-Specific Eligibility Notes

• Track A applicants should have prior experience producing or co-producing projects independently
• Track B applicants do not need prior production experience; the program is designed to support artists who are ready to lead artistically but want curatorial and logistical partnership
• Artists may apply to both tracks but will be awarded in only one

PROGRAM BUDGET

The total grant pool for the Community project Grant Program is $27,000, allocated across both tracks:

 

Award amounts are determined by the advisory planning group based on proposed budgets, program scope, and equitable distribution across the applicant pool. Advisory planning group may award below the maximum amount and to adjust the number of awards based on application quality and budget alignment.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

 

APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed by the advisory planning group. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale across five criteria:

 

The advisory planning group will also consider the overall diversity of the grantees across neighborhoods, artist backgrounds, project formats, and community contexts to ensure the program reflects the full breadth of Philadelphia’s jazz community.