Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning program began in 1984.  Since then, CMA has funded nearly 300 new works providing grants to U.S.-based ensembles and presenters whose programming includes Western European and/or non-Western classical and contemporary music.

CMA is pivoting in response to the National Endowment for the Arts’ recent decision to rescind grant awards to ensembles and presenters across the country.

CMA’s 2026 Classical Commissioning program is being strategically redesigned to address this urgent gap, centering support around organizations and artists most impacted by the loss of NEA funding. CMA support through this grant may be used for general operating support for these performances/programs.

For the upcoming 2026 cycle, the Classical Commissioning program will specifically support ensembles and presenters:

Whose funding has been rescinded by the NEA in 2025;
That present or perform music by living American composers whose compositions are written in any of the musical styles associated with contemporary classical music;
That work within a chamber music framework (2–10 musicians, one per part).

Grant awards will range based on budget size:
Approximately sixteen grants of $2,500 for ensembles with budgets below $249,999
Approximately seven grants of $5,000 for organizations with budgets up to $750,000