National Endowment for the Arts  
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THEATER & MUSICAL THEATER

The National Endowment for the Arts seeks to fund groundbreaking, innovative theater and musical theater in the American spirit that is bold, passionate, profound, creative, and engaging and that demonstrates serious, exceptional, and rigorous aesthetic values.  Projects funded by the Arts Endowment support organizations and artists in the creation and refinement of work, the public presentation of plays and musicals from all cultures and periods, and opportunities for professional development. This encompasses the entire spectrum of the nonprofit theater and musical theater field, including the production or presentation of traditional or classical repertoire, new plays and musicals, development laboratories, showcases, artist residencies, work for young audiences, experimental work, community-based work, circus arts, and puppetry.

Three viewers in front of a huge projection of a woman's face   Three generations of an African American family seated together and around the living room couch

FATEBOOK, New Paradise Laboratories 2009 ©Jacques-Jean Tiziou / www.jjtiziou.net

  

LEAR, Young Jean Lee's Theater Company 2010, commissioned by Soho Rep. Photo by Blaine Davis


Funding Opportunities in Theater & Musical Theater

Grants for Arts Projects
CFDA No. 45.024

The National Endowment for the Arts' primary funding opportunities for organizations can be found here. An organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2013 Grants for Arts Projects categories (see "Application Limits" for the few exceptions to this rule). For most organizations, these categories represent the full range of funding options for the entire year. Applicants should examine the goal and purposes of their project as well as the review criteria of these categories, and apply to the one category that is most relevant. The Arts Endowment will not transfer applications between categories.

  • Art Works: To support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts. Within these areas, innovative projects are strongly encouraged. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $100,000. (Deadlines: March 8 and August 9, 2012)
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  • Challenge America Fast-Track: To support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. (Deadline: May 24, 2012)
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Our Town
CFDA No. 45.024

Organizations may apply for creative placemaking projects that contribute to the livability of communities and place the arts at their core. An organization may request a grant amount from $25,000 to $150,000. (Deadline: March 1, 2012)

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National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards

Outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people may apply for these awards. (Receipt deadline: January 31, 2012)

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The Arts in Media
CFDA No. 45.024

In 2010, the National Endowment for the Arts evolved the category of “Arts on Radio and Television” to “Arts in Media.” This change reflects the variety of media through which artists are now creating and the public are consuming art. This initiative has been an overwhelming success yielding more than twice the number of applications received under the previous category. The proposals that will be recommended for support under Arts in Media ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to experience great art whether on television, radio, the Internet, or on their mobile phones. We are now moving the specifications for Arts in Media under our umbrella of “Art Works” with the deadline of August 9, 2012.

 

Shakespeare in American Communities: Shakespeare for a New Generation

Grants for nonprofit professional theater companies to perform works by Shakespeare for middle- and high-school students between June 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. Administered by Arts Midwest. (Deadline: January 25, 2011)

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Lifecycle of an Application
Guidelines available: Application guidelines are made available on the Arts Endowment's website and through Grants.gov
Application submitted: Applications that meet the deadline are assigned an application number. Applicant receives acknowledgment of application receipt. Applications are forwarded to Program staff
Staff review: Staff reviews applications for completeness and eligibility and may contact an applicant for clarification and additional information. Application materials are sent to panelists several weeks before the panel meeting. Work samples may be distributed in advance or may be held for review at the panel
Panel review: Panels generally meet from one to five days, depending on application load. Each panel is made up of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Each application is reviewed and rated in accordance with the published review criteria.
National Council-Chairman Review: The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. Fast-Track grants receive an expedited review. Following panel and staff review, recommendations are forwarded to the Chairman who makes the final decision on all grant awards.
Notification: A letter is sent to applicants not recommended for funding. Applicants recommended may be contacted first for revisions to the project. Fast-Track Grant applicants will receive a preliminary letter of notification. Grantees later receive an official grant award notification with information about legal and reporting requirements
 

 

      
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