Hi Apollo, and welcome!
Terrific site you have - and your project sounds very cool!
If you're in need of funding, Google the term "documentary film grants" and you'll find a lot of results to sift through - you may find one or two that will help you get some funding....also consider searching for grants through foundations related to music, arts, and education, such as NEA.....and don't forget to contact the local department(s) of tourism for the towns/cities you'll be visiting to see if they do any funding of arts projects.
While you are in the process of making this documentary DON'T FORGET to "document" your own process both on video and in writing (keep a personal journal) - think like a filmmaker - nowadays you have to film your "making of" and "behind the scenes" for the Special Features segments on your DVD, AND consider setting up a Blog for this specific project (rather than using a personal blog) and do some blogging as you go along to generate interest in your project.
You should also consider setting up your segments so that they can be standalone "short form" segments for web and TV - it's easier to sell short form video than long form. As you're editing your footage, you can create segments based on locale, and by subject (poetry, music, etc), which will let you create numerous different segments.
After it's finished and you've created varying segments of different length and subjects, there are many likely outlets for getting an audience - schools, libraries, and film classes are potential targets, and you'll want to contact the submissions editors at broadcast outlets - PBS, the Travel Channel, and such.
Lastly, if you have someone you know well and trust, consider having that person manage your funding and distribution quest, so that you can focus on filming, journaling, documenting, and blogging about your project.
Good luck! We'd love to keep track of your progress so please keep me posted.