Best Grants for Performing Arts

The GA Arts: General Operating Support Grant, provided by the Georgia Council for the Arts, aims to support nonprofit arts organizations in Georgia. This grant facilitates the growth of community engagement through various art forms, including performing, visual, and media arts. Eligible organizations must have a primary arts mission and offer significant arts-based programming. By fostering creativity and cultural expression, this grant helps enhance the vibrancy of Georgia's communities.

The Pasadena Community Foundation's Arts & Culture Grants support local nonprofits that enrich the community through arts and culture. Established in 2023, this program focuses on ongoing needs and responses to the Eaton Fire, emphasizing innovation, technology, audience engagement, and collaboration. Eligible organizations must be located within the Pasadena Unified School District and have a record of effective service. Applications are prioritized based on their potential to foster community impact and inclusivity.

The Performing Arts Global Exchange Grant (PAGE) fosters international performing arts in the U.S., promoting cultural understanding through diverse programming. It offers support to nonprofit presenters who engage artists from a curated roster, focusing on underrepresented regions like Morocco and South Africa. Grants require public performances and community interaction, emphasizing outreach to underserved areas. PAGE is supported by Mid Atlantic Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, aiming to enhance accessibility to global artistic expressions.

The Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation focuses on enhancing the quality of life in greater Kansas City through strategic philanthropy. It supports organizations dedicated to nonprofit excellence, addressing systemic issues, and improving outcomes for underserved communities. Grants typically range from $100,000 to $250,000, aiming for transformational change. The Foundation prioritizes local organizations that align with its mission and values, ensuring a significant community impact.

The Jan and Frank Cicero Fellowship supports artists in the visual and performing arts for one month, providing a stipend of $3,000. Applications are due by January 3, 2025, with a grace period for recommendation letters until January 13, 2025. This fellowship is an opportunity to enhance artistic practice using the Newberry collection, open to scholars at the ABD stage and beyond. Eligible applicants include artists and performers from various disciplines.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Fellowship for Independent Researchers offers a $3,000 monthly stipend for one month, targeting writers, artists, and humanists. This fellowship encourages applicants working outside traditional academic settings, welcoming scholars of all nationalities. The Newberry Library provides a rich collection for research, focusing on projects that promote social justice. Ideal candidates include independent and early-career scholars, particularly those from the Chicago metropolitan area.

The Jan and Frank Cicero Artist-in-Residence Fellowship at The Newberry Library provides a unique opportunity for artists working in visual and performing arts. This one-month fellowship offers a stipend of $3,000 to support the advancement of artistic practice using the extensive Newberry collection. Open to artists and performers from various fields, including those without advanced degrees, this fellowship encourages creativity and exploration in a historic cultural institution.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Artist-in-Residence Fellowship at The Newberry Library supports independent researchers like writers, artists, and filmmakers, providing a stipend of $3,000 for one month of access to its rich collections. This fellowship is designed for those outside traditional academic settings and encourages projects focused on social justice and reform. Open to international scholars, it aims to foster creativity and scholarly work at one of Chicago's historic cultural institutions.

The Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Flexible support innovative research and writing for early career scholars. Designed for those with heavy teaching loads, these fellowships enable recent PhDs to produce significant scholarly work in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Applicants can use funds for travel, childcare, and research expenses, with a focus on projects that engage both academic and public audiences, enhancing connections between scholarship and community.

The Gerrit R. Ludwig Scholarship Fund supports high school graduates from East Hawai'i pursuing degrees in fine arts or classics. Established by Dr. Gerrit Ludwig, an ophthalmologist with a passion for the arts, this fund aims to assist students who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Eligible applicants must be full-time students at accredited institutions in the US and graduates of East Hawai'i public high schools.

The AFI Grant, administered by the Adient Foundation, Inc., supports charitable organizations across the U.S. with a focus on philanthropic efforts. These one-time grants do not guarantee future funding, emphasizing a need for organizations to demonstrate sound management and community impact. Each year, past recipients must reapply under the standard application process, ensuring that support aligns with equal opportunity objectives and the Foundation's mission to complement public funding.

The AFI Grant, administered by the Adient Foundation, Inc., aims to support philanthropic organizations in the U.S. that are tax-exempt. While primarily offering one-time grants, the Foundation evaluates proposals based on organizational structure, community impact, and management capacity. The Foundation complements public institutions and does not guarantee future funding based on past contributions. Grantees must operate with equal opportunity objectives, and past recipients must submit new applications each year.

The Wade Family Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Southern Utah that align with the foundation's values, including education, health care, and combating homelessness. Established by Stephen and Marcia Wade, the foundation prioritizes direct program needs over overhead costs. Eligible organizations must have 501(C)(3) status and operate within the specified geographical area. The foundation actively seeks to improve the quality of life in the community through strategic funding and support.

The Arts Vibrancy Endowment’s Individual Artist Award supports artists residing in Juneau by funding specific short-term projects that enhance their creative work. This grant, established by community members, aims to foster artistic growth and community engagement through various art forms. Eligible applicants include individuals and collaborations, provided they meet residency and age requirements. The award emphasizes the importance of artistic development and aims to facilitate opportunities for artists to share their work with the public.

The Margaret Frans Brady Scholarship for Arts, established by the Juneau Community Foundation, aims to support arts and education initiatives in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska. This fund assists students and artists by providing scholarships to enhance their creative skills across various disciplines, including writing, music, and visual arts. Grants of up to $10,000 may be awarded to help participants attend arts-related programs, camps, or educational institutions.

The Marie Darlin Prize, administered by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum and overseen by the Juneau Community Foundation, honors exceptional artistic and scholarly works that reflect Southeast Alaska's cultural heritage. Awarded annually, the prize of $5,000 recognizes individuals or collaborations committed to the region's social and cultural history, community advocacy, and Indigenous identity. Eligible applicants include writers, visual artists, and performers who have produced significant works within the last five years.

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.

The Fleishhacker Foundation offers Small Arts Grants to support small and mid-sized arts organizations in the Bay Area. These grants are designed for fiscally sponsored organizations, allowing them to access funding without traditional nonprofit status. Eligible applicants must meet specific budgetary requirements and demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission. The program emphasizes support for historically marginalized artists and communities, ensuring that diverse artistic voices are represented in the cultural landscape.

The Miller Foundation offers Arts Grants to support small organizations in Oregon, providing vital funding for artistic programming and operations. These grants enhance community engagement through visual and performing arts, ensuring that arts education is accessible to all children. With a focus on operating support, the foundation aims to strengthen local arts organizations, enriching Oregon's cultural landscape. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities dedicated to arts and education, fostering creative growth statewide.

The Miller Foundation supports arts organizations in Oregon through its Fast Track grants, which fund vital artistic programming, performances, and arts education. These grants prioritize operating support, enabling organizations to thrive and connect communities through the arts. The Foundation believes in the transformative power of arts education, ensuring access for all youth. Eligible applicants include established nonprofits and public entities dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Oregon.

The Creative Experiences Grants, launched by the Mass Cultural Council, aim to enhance cultural engagement through diverse activities in arts, humanities, and sciences. With funding amounts of $2,500 and $5,000, these grants support projects that promote public participation and accessibility from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions, ensuring that cultural experiences are available to all members of the community.

The Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants offer up to $20,000 for environmental art projects led by women-identifying artists in the U.S. and territories. Focused on themes like regeneration and eco-social engagement, the grants encourage projects that address ecological issues through ethical engagement. For the 2025 cycle, over $520,000 will be distributed, doubling previous funding. Eligible applicants must be 18+, lead artists, and not enrolled in degree programs during the grant term.

The Municipality of Anchorage is offering the Mayor's Art Grants to support local nonprofit organizations in the arts and culture sector. With a total funding of $175,000, these grants aim to foster public engagement through various projects, including performances and accessible art. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, be locally recognized, and adhere to a nondiscrimination policy. This initiative enhances community wellness by promoting cultural heritage and artistic expression.

The Charles S. McKee Performing Arts Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, supports students in Portage and Waushara counties. This scholarship is available for high school seniors, college students, and non-traditional learners pursuing music, theater, or liberal arts. Awards range from $500 to $40,000, aiming to foster educational opportunities. Applicants must meet specific criteria based on their academic performance and involvement in the arts.