Nordic Folk Arts Competition Expands to the Upper Midwest for 2026
The American-Scandinavian Foundation has launched its 10th annual competition for Nordic Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest. The programme supports artists, public events, and community projects that keep traditional Nordic skills alive. Applications will close on September 15, 2026. This year's initiative expands the foundation's focus beyond New York, reaching into the Upper Midwest. The region covers North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Organisers hope to strengthen ties between local Nordic traditions and those in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The competition offers two types of funding. Fellowships will back individual artists working in folk arts, while grants will support public programmes and community-led projects. Both aim to encourage the practice and sharing of Nordic cultural heritage. Beyond preserving local traditions, the programme fosters cross-cultural exchange. It connects artists and communities in the U.S. with their counterparts in Nordic countries. Past years have seen a variety of projects, though exact numbers of funded works remain unreported.
The deadline for submissions is set for September 15, 2026. Successful applicants will receive support to develop their craft or host public events. The foundation's long-term goal is to ensure Nordic folk arts continue to thrive in the Upper Midwest.
