Best Grants for Dance Nonprofit Organizations in Georgia

South Arts Inc

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.

Our mission: Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Arts in Community Grants

Program Description

Arts in Community Grants are designed to support deeper engagements between Southern communities and artists. Through these grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, we aim to increase access to the arts, expand audiences for artists, and broaden our reach. Eligible projects require a Southern artist/company visiting another Southern state for public activities, offering access to arts programming by professional artists. Funding supports Southern film directors, traditional artists, visual artists, performing artists, or writers:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Projects require an artist or artist ensemble and a host or partner organization. Project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities – both a public presentation (a film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement activity (a workshop, demonstration, lecture, facilitated discussion, or master class). The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Women-identifying individual artists in the U.S. can apply for New York Foundation for the Arts’ Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants, offering up to US $20,000 for in-progress environmental art projects. Grants support work with public, free engagement that explores themes like eco-social engagement, climate change, systems restoration, or related environmental concerns; Georgia dance artists may be eligible.

Dance and arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Georgia’s Central Savannah River Area can apply for Cleon W. Mauldin Foundation Trust grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support arts education and programming. Funding can promote music, dance, and ballet, provide youth arts opportunities and scholarships, and help acquire music and art equipment.

Georgia arts and culture nonprofits running substantial programs in the arts or sciences can access funding through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation to support program, capital, and limited general or endowment needs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) institutions such as ballets, performing arts centers, museums, and arts schools may be eligible, with awards typically more than US $100,000.

Graduate students in the U.S. studying psychomotor measurement and evaluation can receive support for professional expenses, including those whose work connects to dance and K–12 physical education in Georgia. With a mission to advance health and physical education, SHAPE America provides this award to current members with at least one year remaining in their degree program.

Current SHAPE America members in the Measurement and Evaluation SIG who have advanced this group’s mission can be nominated for this national honor, which recognizes outstanding professional contributions. Georgia dance and physical education professionals engaged in K–12 health, physical fitness, or dance measurement and evaluation may be strong candidates.

Experienced SHAPE America members in Georgia working in health, physical education, or dance measurement and evaluation can be nominated for this lifetime achievement recognition. With a mission to advance professional practice and research, Society of Health and Physical Educators honors individuals with substantial, career-long scholarly impact in measurement and evaluation for preK–12 health and physical education.

Educators and SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sport, physical activity, or dance, including in Georgia, can apply for the National Girls and Women in Sports Legacy Award. This US $1,000 award from SHAPE America supports research, professional development, after-school programs, speakers, and related initiatives honoring the NAGWS legacy.

Georgia dance presenters, curators, residency directors, and current National Dance Project artist grantees can receive up to US $500 for U.S. travel to plan touring of NDP-funded works. New England Foundation for the Arts supports trips that strengthen relationships and assess feasibility for presenting NDP dance projects, which may benefit dance-focused nonprofits and venues.

Georgia graduate students in dance, physical education, health, or recreation can access funding through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship. SHAPE America members enrolled full-time in a master’s or doctoral program with at least a 3.5 GPA may receive US $1,750 plus a three-year membership for their academic pursuits.

Undergraduate students in Georgia majoring in dance, physical education, health, recreation, or related fields can receive US $1,250 to support their studies. Focused on advancing health and physical education, Society of Health and Physical Educators invites SHAPE America student members with strong academics and leadership to apply for the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship.

Children and adults with cystic fibrosis in California seeking support for horseback riding, dance, golf, or swimming can apply for up to US $750 in activity funding from the Loretta Morris Memorial Grants. Focused on active lifestyles, BreatheStrong CF may benefit dancers and dance organizations supporting individuals with CF.

Native-led performing arts organizations, businesses, collectives, and individual Native performing artists in Georgia can seek funding for live dance, theater, music, or other performances. First Peoples Fund’s Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant offers US $30,000 for U.S.-based projects in active production stages featuring multiple Native performers or artists.

High school seniors in New Jersey pursuing post-secondary studies in dance, drama, visual arts, or music can receive the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship to support tuition, with awards of US $5,000. Grants from Arts Council of the Morris Area help artistically excellent students, including those focused on dance, further their formal arts education.

Georgia dance students can access funding through Arts Council of the Morris Area’s Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship, which awards US $1,500 for post-secondary arts study. Graduating high school seniors who are Morris County, New Jersey residents with demonstrated excellence in dance, drama, visual arts, or music submit work samples, essays, and recommendations for consideration.

Focused on contemporary American classical concert music, the Alice M. Ditson Fund invites Georgia dance and music organizations to seek project or general operating support for professional performances featuring living American composers. Eligible applicants include professional performing ensembles, dance companies, and institutions, with non-501(c)(3) groups applying through an appropriate U.S. fiscal sponsor.

Graduate students from eligible Asian countries in arts and cultural fields, including dance, studying full-time in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 for one academic year of travel and living expenses. Asian Cultural Council supports coursework-based graduate study and international cultural exchange; Georgia-based universities hosting such students may benefit.

Individual dance artists, scholars, and arts professionals in Georgia or across eligible countries can seek Asian Cultural Council’s Individual Fellowship to fund self-directed research and cultural exchange travel. Focused on artistic disciplines including dance, it supports activities like field interviews, institutional visits, workshops, and archival research in a different country or region.

Individual SHAPE America members in Georgia working in dance, physical education, or health education can be nominated for this national lifetime achievement-style honor recognizing long and distinguished professional service. The Society of Health and Physical Educators presents one Luther Halsey Gulick Medal annually to a leader whose career exemplifies excellence in teaching, research, service, or administration.

Focused on curriculum and instruction research, this award invites SHAPE America members with emerging scholarly records in health, physical education, or dance to be nominated. Early-career researchers in Georgia may be eligible if they are 3–6 years post-doctorate and actively contributing impactful curriculum and instruction scholarship.

The E.B. Henderson Award, presented by SHAPE America, honors minority members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for ethnic minorities within health and physical education. Established in 1885, SHAPE America serves over 200,000 professionals, promoting high-quality education standards. The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of underserved populations in the field. Limited to two awards annually, it highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in health education.

The Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award, presented by SHAPE America, recognizes outstanding contributions to health and physical education curriculum research. This prestigious award highlights the importance of effective instructional practices that prepare students for active and healthy lives. Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship in health education and physical education, demonstrating commitment to excellence since the organization's founding in 1885. SHAPE America advocates for quality education and promotes the well-being of preK-12 students across the United States.

The SHAPE America Major of the Year Award recognizes exemplary undergraduate students in health, physical education, recreation, and dance. This prestigious accolade aims to highlight nominees who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to service within their communities. Faculty members from colleges and universities are encouraged to nominate one outstanding student per major, ensuring that the next generation of health educators is celebrated for their achievements and contributions to the field.

The SHAPE America: Joy of Effort Award recognizes dedicated individuals who exemplify the spirit of commitment and passion in health and physical education. Awardees are current SHAPE America members with at least three years of membership, demonstrating excellence in teaching, coaching, or leadership. This prestigious award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the field, inspiring others to lead healthy, active lives through their efforts in education and advocacy.

The Lazarus Family Scholarship in Bioethics and Humanities, offered by the AMA Foundation, supports students engaged in bioethics or the humanities, including art, music, and literature. This scholarship aims to foster the next generation of physician leaders by providing financial assistance to those who are committed to advancing health equity and community service. By recognizing diverse fields of study, it emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in medicine and the humanities.

The BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant supports young artists aged 13-19 in the Berkshire Taconic region, providing financial assistance for summer enrichment programs in the arts. Established in 1998 in memory of folk singer Bill Crofut, the fund aims to empower youth through small grants that can cover costs for tuition, art supplies, or living expenses. The grant fosters creativity and personal growth, ensuring that young individuals have opportunities to pursue their passions.

What is Emergency Assistance Fund

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals:

• In times of unexpected critical need.
• To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent eviction or shut-offs.

Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund

The Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund offers emergency financial assistance to current or former employees of Oregon Shakespeare Festival.