Best Grants for Performing Arts

High schools in the U.S. producing plays or musicals that explore diverse perspectives can receive US $10,000 to strengthen their theatre programs and hire professional mentors. Focused on equity in the performing arts, the Craig Zadan Pathway grant from Educational Theatre Association Foundation supports student collaboration with industry professionals and community-engaging performances.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities in King County or nearby areas can receive project-specific funding for arts, education, or community programs from MMS Giving Foundation. Grants support visual and performing arts, vocational and trade education, environmental awareness, and health and social services, which may benefit performing arts organizations in the Puget Sound region.

Performing arts and music-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Omaha, Nebraska can seek funding for arts, culture, and humanities projects. Focused on promoting music and the arts locally, Whitmore Charitable Trust offers about US $3,500 to support performances and community arts programming, which may benefit ensembles and organizations expanding live performance access.

Individual arts writers creating articles, books, or short-form projects on contemporary visual or performing-related arts in the U.S. can receive US $15,000 - US $50,000 to support their writing. The Andy Warhol Foundation backs emerging and established critics, historians, journalists, and artists whose work deeply engages post-WWII visual art discourse.

Individual artists in eastern Iowa creating collaborative, experimental, or multidisciplinary visual, performing, film, or public art projects can receive approximately US $8,000 for public realization. Johnson County and nearby artists whose work supports under-resourced creatives or engages vulnerable systems may access this Big Field Fund Project Grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Visual and performing arts nonprofits in Greater Philadelphia, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey can apply for PNC Foundation’s PNC Arts Alive grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $50,000 for innovative arts programming and audience engagement. Eligible 501(c)(3) arts organizations can support exhibitions, performances, festivals, and pop-up experiences that broaden community access to the performing arts.

Collaborative, unincorporated artist groups in Baltimore City or County can receive up to US $10,000 for public-facing visual and performing arts projects. Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture supports initiatives like exhibitions, festivals, screenings, and installations where visual art is central, which may benefit performing arts collaborations that engage local communities.

Native performing artists in the U.S. can receive up to US $10,000 to advance their artistic growth and careers through this year-long fellowship. First Peoples Fund provides funding, networking, and professional development for Indigenous practitioners of theater, music, dance, spoken word, and other live performance, which may benefit artists connected to nonprofit performing arts programs.

Performing arts nonprofits in the Greater Cincinnati area can apply for US $15,000 - US $350,000 to support performances, new works, and youth arts education. The Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s David C. Herriman Fund serves 501(c)(3) arts organizations in specified Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana counties, with preference for musical and other performing arts groups and guest artists.

South Arts, Inc. offers Professional Development Grants for Arts Organizations to enhance the skills and knowledge of Southern arts entities. These grants aim to support operational stability and growth, focusing on organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less. Eligible applicants include a range of arts organizations within South Arts' nine-state service area. The program emphasizes first-time opportunities and requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match, ensuring a commitment to professional development in the arts.

Saratoga Arts offers Community Art Grants to fund projects that engage the community and promote direct interaction with art. Grants range from $1,000 to $7,500, supporting diverse programming that fosters inclusivity and collaboration among artists and organizations. With a commitment to enhancing cultural quality, these grants aim to reach rural and economically disadvantaged populations, ensuring that the arts are accessible to all. Applications are accepted annually, with a focus on innovative approaches to public engagement.

The Visual Arts Fund (VAF), established by Midway Contemporary Art with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation, offers $60,000 in grants for artist-organized projects in the Twin Cities metro area. This initiative encourages diverse visual arts projects with public engagement components, including exhibitions, performances, and digital initiatives. The program emphasizes innovative projects that might not otherwise occur, fostering a vibrant artistic community while adhering to specific eligibility criteria.

ABOUT THE IDEA FUND

The Idea Fund is a re-granting program administered by DiverseWorks in partnership with Aurora Picture Show and Project Row Houses and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Since 2009, The Idea Fund has provided grants for artist-generated or artist-centered projects that exemplify unconventional, interventionist, conceptual, entrepreneurial, participatory, or guerrilla artistic practices.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program, launched in 2007, aims to support vibrant, under-the-radar and self-organized artistic activity by partnering with leading cultural institutions in communities across the country. The program reaches a sizable population of informal, non-incorporated artist collectives, and supports their alternative gathering spaces, publications, websites, events, and other projects. Together, this network of programs has funded more than 800 artist projects.4

Project activities must function primarily within, or have a strong connection to the visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, social practice, performance, film/video, photography, textiles, ceramics, cross-disciplinary, public art, new media, and digital processes etc.) 

The Sinew Fund Grants, supported by Racing Magpie, empower Oceti Sakowin visual creatives in the U.S. to engage their communities through innovative, artist-led projects. Focused on the rich cultural heritage of Lakota communities, these grants foster collaborative, community-based initiatives that enhance cultural dialogue and creative expression. Eligible applicants must be connected to an Oceti Sakowin tribe and aim for projects that prioritize public engagement within current-day Western South Dakota.

The Joyce Peugh Pate Capper Charitable Trust Grant supports charitable initiatives in Fort Worth, Texas, with a focus on the performing and visual arts, libraries, churches, and hospitals. Established by philanthropist Joyce Peugh Pate Capper, the trust prioritizes organizations active during her lifetime. Eligible applicants must operate within Tarrant County, while grants are not awarded for animal-related causes. This grant fosters community enrichment and cultural development in the region.

The J.R. Simplot Company Foundation Grant supports U.S. non-profit organizations focused on art, education, youth, community, and global food and agriculture. Established in 1929, the foundation is committed to enhancing community welfare through creative cultural endeavors, educational initiatives, health services, and youth programs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, ensuring a timely response to organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.

The DCLA Premier Grants provide vital support to first-time applicants, including individual artists and community organizations on Staten Island. These grants focus on projects that foster public engagement and enhance cultural programming across diverse artistic disciplines. Eligible applicants must demonstrate community interest, clear objectives, and a realistic plan for implementation. Priority is given to projects that address under-resourced communities or artistic disciplines, ensuring equitable access to funding and cultural production opportunities.

Social Impact Artist Award

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and Denver Arts & Venues are proud to launch the Social Impact Artist Award. The award honors the outstanding contributions of three Denver-based artist collectives dedicated to championing positive impact and social justice through their artistic practice with a $50,000 award that includes $15,000 for a socially engaged project.

Socially engaged art serves as a powerful catalyst for positive change within communities, fostering connections, dialogue, and collective action. Collectives who work in partnership with local organizations and residents to co-create meaningful interventions and initiatives not only raise awareness about important issues but also empower individuals to become active participants in shaping their own communities. By fostering empathy and solidarity, these artistic interventions build bridges across divides and inspire collective action toward a more equitable and just society. Ultimately, socially engaged art reaffirms the intrinsic connection between creativity, community, and social change, demonstrating the transformative potential of art to shape the world we live in.

Program Goals:

• Support individual artists or artist collectives in Denver who are actively engaged in addressing social issues through their creative practice.
• Showcase the impact of socially engaged art in promoting dialogue, raising awareness about the cultural diversity in our city, and fostering partnerships and collaborations to support thriving communities.
• Prioritize and amplify the perspectives and experiences of artists and culture bearers who identify with historically marginalized communities.
• Elevate the profile of Denver as a center for socially conscious artistic expression and innovation.
• Encourage and provide project funding for artists to explore ways for the community to participate in, respond to, inform, and learn from their work.

How many $50,000 prizes will be awarded this year?

• Three artist collectives will be selected.

How are the funds issued to awardees?

Upon selection, the three (3) awardees must submit a W9 to Bonfils-Stanton Foundation for the $35,000 award as the foundation is required by the IRS to issue a 1099 to the individual for the amount. Members of artist collectives will split the $35,000 cash award evenly.

The project funds will be awarded separately through Denver Arts & Venues. Artist collectives will work together on a project with the allocated $15,000 budget.

The Connie Boochever Emerging Artist Fellowship Fund honors the legacy of Connie Boochever, an influential advocate for the arts in Alaska. This fellowship aims to support and recognize Alaskan Emerging Artists of exceptional talent, particularly in the fields of Performing Arts, Theatre, and Music. Established to promote the importance of the arts, it encourages creativity and supports artists who are developing their voices and taking risks in their artistic endeavors.

The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine offers the annual CFGM: Impact Grant to support non-profit organizations enhancing the quality of life in Muscatine County. With various funds available, including the County Endowment Re-Granting Program and others targeting specific needs like mental disabilities and homelessness, grants can reach up to $117,888.27. Applicants must be non-profits, schools, or government units serving the region. Each program has a $10,000 limit and requires final reports within 10 months.

The Joan and Tim Fenton Foundation Grant supports a range of philanthropic interests, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for families and children, assisting the disenfranchised, promoting medical research, and fostering the arts. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the foundation prioritizes community development, environmental preservation, and educational advancements. It aims to unite diverse groups through understanding while ensuring compliance with IRS 501(c)(3) requirements for all grant applications.

The Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts Grant supports the creative and performing arts in the San Antonio area, honoring Rogers' legacy. Grants are focused on specific projects, performances, and productions aligned with the arts, including music, literature, and visual arts. Only 501(c)(3) organizations primarily serving the San Antonio metropolitan area are eligible. The Fund emphasizes thoughtful consideration of funding requests while adhering to its budget limitations, ensuring a lasting impact on the local arts community.

The ETC Performing Arts Funding Grant, established in 1975, aims to support non-profit performance groups across the United States. With grants up to $5,000, the initiative seeks to encourage artistic expression and innovation. Applicants must be U.S.-based organizations, including 501(c)(3) non-profits and accredited educational institutions. However, funding does not cover salaries, travel, or events. Preference is given to groups producing original work. The competitive nature of the grant means that meeting eligibility does not guarantee funding.

The City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grants support educational institutions and affiliated groups in enhancing arts education through various programs. Aiming to foster creativity and cultural engagement, this initiative promotes diverse representation and participation in arts. Grants of up to $3,500 are available for projects that prioritize inclusivity and community impact. Applications are open to nonprofit schools and organizations in Carlsbad, adhering to specific guidelines that ensure equitable access to arts funding.

The NYSCA Support for Artists Grant offers vital funding to artists in New York State, promoting the development of new work across various artistic disciplines. This grant is designed to enhance diverse artistic voices, encourage significant growth in individual artists, and strengthen collaborations with sponsoring organizations. Prequalification is mandatory for nonprofit applicants, ensuring a streamlined process for those seeking to elevate their creative endeavors. Artists are invited to apply through sponsoring organizations to receive support for their innovative projects.

The NYSCA Targeted Opportunities Grant supports the arts and creativity in New York State through various funding opportunities, including Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, Rehearsal Space for Performing Arts, and Performing Arts Residencies. Grants range from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on the program. Nonprofit organizations must prequalify with the State Financial System to be eligible for funding, ensuring a focus on enhancing artistic diversity across the state.

The Rasmuson Foundation offers Project Awards to support Alaska artists in various disciplines with grants of $10,000 for specific short-term projects. This initiative aims to help emerging, mid-career, and established artists reflect on their work, explore creativity, and develop their artistry. Applications are open until June 9, 2025, providing essential resources for individual artists and collaboratives alike. The program emphasizes professional development and promotion of artistic work through various channels.