Best Grants for Performing Arts

The NYSCA Arts Bring Change (ABC) Grants support local cultural organizations and artists who collaborate with public schools to provide K-12 students with engaging artistic experiences. Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, this program emphasizes art exploration and requires projects to include hands-on learning sessions. Applicants must demonstrate a partnership with schools and meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring impactful and meaningful artistic education for students.

The SU-CASA Grant is a 3-month program placing local artists in Staten Island senior centers to engage older adults through creative workshops. Each residency concludes with a public event showcasing the participants' work. Artists receive a stipend of $6,000 and a $2,000 budget for materials. Funded by the NYC Council, this initiative fosters collaboration among various city departments and supports artists passionate about teaching and working with seniors.

Rocket Grants offer funding up to $6,000 for innovative, artist-centered projects in public spaces within the Kansas City area. Artists, curators, and collectives can apply, provided they reside within an 80-mile radius and are over 21. This initiative aims to foster a vibrant arts community by supporting unconventional artistic expressions that engage diverse audiences. Notably, projects must be accessible to the public and cannot benefit established non-profits or be primarily for travel or equipment expenses.

Power Plant Grants, funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation and managed by Big Car Collaborative, aim to invigorate the Indianapolis arts scene. These grants support visual artists taking creative risks and exploring uncharted territories in their work. Each year, five selected artists or teams receive $12,000 to fund innovative projects that engage the community and push artistic boundaries, thereby fostering collaboration and experimentation in the local art landscape.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Engagement, offered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), supports artists and community-focused organizations in accessing public funds to present rich arts activities. Since 1983, these grants have been vital in fostering cultural vibrancy across Manhattan. With funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and other partners, LMCC helps artists connect with communities from Inwood to The Battery, enhancing public spaces through various artistic disciplines.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: Creative Learning, managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, supports local artists and organizations in providing community-based arts education, particularly for older adults. Established in 1983, this program enhances public spaces through artistic engagement and offers crucial funding to those unable to access city or state arts funding directly. With backing from various cultural institutions, it fosters creativity and resilience within Manhattan's diverse communities.

The Manhattan Arts Grants: UMEZ Arts Engagement program supports Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing funds to enhance cultural presentations. Managed by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, this initiative fosters community engagement through diverse art projects, promoting equity and accessibility in the arts. Since its inception in 1983, it has bolstered the cultural vibrancy of Manhattan, providing vital resources for artistic expression and collaboration within the community.

The Local Arts Support Grant, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts, empowers Brooklyn's artists and arts organizations by providing funding for community engagement projects. Designed for nonprofit organizations and artist-nonprofit partnerships, it supports diverse artistic disciplines and does not require matching funds. In 2025, it distributed $265,000 to 63 projects, enhancing local cultural initiatives through performances, exhibitions, and workshops that foster community involvement and enrich the arts landscape.

The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund Grant, established by the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation, aims to support organizations enhancing musical and cultural arts, education, environment, and health in the Tri-State Area. Eligible organizations must be verified 501(c)(3) charities and demonstrate their impact on local residents. The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Louis and Louise Nippert, focusing on community enrichment through the arts and education.

Yaddo's Residency provides a tranquil retreat for artists in Saratoga Springs, New York, fostering creativity through undisturbed work in a supportive environment. Open to professional and emerging artists across various disciplines, residencies last from two weeks to two months and include room, board, and a studio. Applications are evaluated solely on the quality of the work, encouraging diverse talents to apply without publication or performance requirements.

Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects grant supports small ensembles and presenters in New York City with budgets under $250,000. Funding ranges from $7,500 to $20,000, covering 100% of eligible expenses for projects like commissions, performances, recordings, and residencies. Each project must engage the community and enhance access to chamber music between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This initiative promotes appreciation and respect for chamber music across diverse audiences.

The GO Queens Grant, funded by the Howard Gilman Foundation, aims to support Queens-based performing arts and culture organizations with unrestricted $10,000 grants. Targeted at nonprofits with annual budgets under $250,000, this initiative promotes growth and community engagement. Eligible organizations must focus on the performing arts, demonstrate nonprofit status, and have been active for at least a year. This funding is vital for general operational support, helping organizations recover post-COVID and enhance their contributions to the arts in Queens.

The Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation Charitable Grant supports qualified charities focused on community betterment and basic human needs. Founded in 2016, it aims to enhance lives through initiatives such as affordable housing, health programs, and the arts. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve areas where Frankenmuth Insurance operates. Notably, the foundation excludes support for individuals, political groups, and projects typically financed by governments, ensuring its resources benefit the wider community.

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 artists 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. Artists 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 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 individual artists 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.

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

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 Jonathan Larson Grants provide essential support to emerging musical theatre artists, helping composers, lyricists, and librettists further their creative endeavors. Established in memory of Jonathan Larson, creator of the iconic musical "Rent," these grants empower artists to create impactful work that resonates with contemporary culture. The program, sustained by the American Theatre Wing and the Larson Family, encourages professional growth and artistic exploration without the limitations of specific projects.

The Leonard and Renee Minsky Fund for Arts Education Grant, administered by the Maine Community Foundation, supports professional artists collaborating with teachers to integrate arts into public schools for grades 3-5 in Penobscot and Washington counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities, public schools, and recognized Indian tribal governments. This grant aims to enhance educational experiences through the arts, fostering creativity and engagement among students.

General Operating Support Grant Overview

The Perenchio Foundation is dedicated to supporting the arts in Los Angeles, with a focus on visual and performing arts organizations that partner with, support, and represent historically underfunded communities. We believe that the arts play an essential role in creating a more equitable, culturally vibrant, and inclusive region.

Our multi-year General Operating Support Grants provide LA County arts organizations with unrestricted funding, which may be used for costs including but not limited to payroll and benefits for staff, rent or mortgage, leadership and staff development, and strategic planning. By offering flexible support with a commitment for multiple years, we aim to help arts organizations strengthen their infrastructure, plan from a place of greater confidence and stability, build capacity, and address immediate needs.

The Individual Artist Fellowship Grants, offered by the Oregon Arts Commission, support professional artists in advancing their careers. This fellowship is available in various artistic disciplines, including Performing and Visual Arts, with applications open to individuals aged 18 and older who have been residents of Oregon for at least one year. Artists from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply, promoting diversity and inclusion within the arts.

The Community Arts & Culture: Performance Series Grants provide vital support for local arts organizations and performers. Offered by the City of Hillsboro, these grants allow selected groups to showcase their talents at the Walters Cultural Arts Center from October to May. Recipients benefit from production support, marketing, and ticket sales revenue, fostering growth and opportunities in the performing arts community. This initiative aims to ensure equitable access to the arts for all local performers.

The 4Culture Touring Arts Roster Presenter Incentive Program Grant supports organizations in King County that hire performing artists from the Touring Arts Roster. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to assist with artist fees for free or low-cost public events. This program aims to enhance local cultural experiences while prioritizing equity and community benefit, ensuring that funds are reinvested into historically underserved areas.

The Community Arts & Culture: Project Grants provide funding for short-term arts and culture initiatives in Hillsboro, supporting organizations with budgets under $100,000. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and aim to enhance access to the arts for underserved populations, foster collaboration, and promote community engagement through diverse projects such as performances, workshops, and cultural festivals. Applicants are encouraged to consult with Cultural Arts staff to ensure eligibility.

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts offers community grants for projects related to the fine arts and culture. Grants, ranging from $50 to $1500, support activities such as concerts, performances, festivals, and workshops. Eligible applicants must ensure their projects occur by June 30 of the following year and may serve surrounding towns. Co-sponsorship with Town departments requires prior approval. Ineligible expenses include capital improvements, debt reduction, and personal events.

The William Penn Foundation's Arts and Culture Programming aims to enhance access to diverse high-quality arts experiences for all Philadelphians. With a focus on inclusivity and equity, this initiative invites proposals for projects that address historic inequities in arts access and engage communities through performances and exhibitions. Organizations with less than $750,000 in annual expenses are encouraged to apply for funding to support innovative and welcoming arts initiatives that enrich the cultural landscape through 2035.

The Production Costs Grants from the City of San Antonio are designed to support performing arts organizations and professional artists by covering essential expenses such as artist fees, labor, marketing, security, and equipment rentals. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility, quality, and innovation of performing arts programming in the area, ensuring that local nonprofits have the necessary resources to produce engaging performances.

The Production Costs Grants for Performing Artists, offered by the City of San Antonio, aim to support local performing arts organizations and professional artists. This funding can be utilized for artist fees, back-of-house labor, marketing for upcoming productions, security, and rental costs. The goal is to promote accessible, high-quality, and innovative performing arts programming in the San Antonio area.

Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis is a charitable women's giving circle focused on awarding impactful grants to nonprofits in various sectors such as arts, education, environment, family, and health. The initiative aims to foster community engagement by funding innovative solutions to social challenges. This organization values integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity, ensuring all community members have access to essential services. By supporting diverse projects, Impact 100 strengthens the fabric of the Indianapolis community and enhances the quality of life for its residents.