Best Grants for Performing Arts in Connecticut

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking program or operating support for performing or visual arts, environmental ingenuity, medical research, or veterans initiatives can apply for general funding; awards are from the Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust. Grants from Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust help organizations serving Connecticut, Florida, New York, or DC residents advance arts, education, and science-based projects.

New England 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, tribal governments, and public agencies in Connecticut can apply for New England Foundation for the Arts’ NEST grants, awarding up to US $15,000 for performing arts presentations and community engagement with touring artists. Funding supports public performances, readings, or screenings featuring NEST-eligible artists across New England communities.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Edward A. and Shirley B. Livi Scholarship Fund

To support residents of Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties who are pursuing fine or performing arts beyond their college freshman year.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund

The Elaine Sirkin Forbes Scholarship Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for high school seniors graduating from Allegheny County Schools who wish to major in visual, performance or media art.

Award Type: Single-Year Award

The Columbus Foundation

In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio. With little more than this sound idea and faith, The Columbus Foundation was established.

Our Mission

To assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents.

Craig Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established by the family of John E. Craig, Jr. and Larry William Craig. Both John and Larry were extremely gifted musicians. John was a noted musician in the central Ohio community, studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston at the time of his death. A well-known musician and businessman, Larry excelled at playing the piano and worked with his father in Craig & Sons Wrecking Company. This scholarship fund will provide support to students who are pursuing careers in musical arts, theatre or drama.

The Jean T. Grant Scholarship, established by The Columbus Foundation, honors the legacy of Jean Terry Grant, a devoted librarian and arts advocate. Providing $1,000, this scholarship supports graduating seniors from Columbus City Schools pursuing studies in music or the arts. Jean's commitment to education and the arts inspires future generations, ensuring that her passion for creativity and philanthropy continues to impact the community positively.

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.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals can receive up to US $5,000 to support 2026 performances. Focused on performing arts and community-building events, Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation invites U.S.-based organizations to activate underused outdoor spaces with inclusive, live music programming that strengthens local social connections.

Carroll County, Ohio students pursuing aviation, art education, or fine and performing arts can receive renewable scholarships starting at more than US $500 to attend college, university, technical, or vocational schools. Connecticut performing arts students looking for higher education support may be interested if they relocate and meet the residency requirement for this Stark Community Foundation program.

Performing arts students pursuing higher education in accredited 2- or 4-year institutions can access funding through the O'Shea Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, a program of Legacy Foundation, including applicants from Connecticut. Awards of US $1,000 support full-time undergraduate study, with funds paid directly to schools or available for book reimbursement.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in the U.S. pursuing fine or performing arts and related creative fields can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 per year for tuition and educational costs. Connecticut arts students meeting Tribal and GPA requirements may be eligible.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students pursuing full-time degrees in fine or performing arts, visual arts, crafts, music, dance, literary arts, creative writing, or poetry in the U.S., including Connecticut, can receive need-based support through the Elizabeth Furber Scholarship. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund range from US $100 to US $30,000 for tuition and related educational costs.

Performing arts nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups in Connecticut presenting contemporary American concert music or jazz can apply for the Aaron Copland Fund for Music’s project support grants, awarding US $2,000 - US $20,000 for discrete, standalone activities. Eligible applicants include professional ensembles, presenters, record companies, and music service organizations with at least two years of programming or release history.

Performing arts nonprofits and music organizations presenting contemporary American concert music or jazz can receive US $2,000 - US $20,000 in unrestricted general support from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. Focused on contemporary music, the Fund invites Connecticut ensembles, presenters, festivals, record companies, and related groups with at least two years of professional programming to apply.

Graduating high school seniors and college students pursuing visual or performing arts degrees in South Lake County may be eligible for the Burrell Family Scholarship, administered by Crown Point Community Foundation. While not specific to Connecticut, this scholarship may benefit arts-focused students connected to the area’s performing arts community.

Graduating high school seniors involved in theatre and pursuing performing arts or related degrees can receive scholarship support for accredited colleges, universities, or trade schools. With a mission to enrich community life, Crown Point Community Foundation uses one common application to match eligible students, including those in performing arts, to multiple scholarship opportunities.

Students from New London, Waterford, and East Lyme high schools pursuing further education in the fine or performing arts in Connecticut can receive scholarship support. With a mission to strengthen communities, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut provides this award of up to US $500 to help graduating seniors advance their arts education.

Students pursuing degrees in performing arts, design, architecture, fine art, or construction management can apply for the Walter Blackburn Scholarship to cover educational expenses. Offered by Central Indiana Community Foundation, this scholarship supports accredited postsecondary study and may benefit Connecticut performing arts students who meet the Marion County residency and academic criteria.

High school seniors and college students pursuing performing arts degrees can receive post-secondary scholarship support through the Sarah Creech Performing Arts Scholarship. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry provides these awards for eligible residents of Beaufort County, South Carolina; Connecticut performing arts students may need to look for similar opportunities in their own state.

Graduating high school seniors planning to major in visual or performing arts and seeking scholarship support for college costs can apply for the Partners in Arts Scholarship, awarding US $1,000. Focused on arts education, East Texas Communities Foundation invites students, including those interested in performing arts in Connecticut, to use its general application and matching tools.

Connecticut performing arts students seeking scholarship support for college studies in music, musical theater, or dance can access funding through East Texas Communities Foundation’s R. Don Cowan Music & Performing Arts Scholarship. Graduating seniors and current college students attending any U.S. college may receive US $5,000 for tuition, fees, room and board, or books and supplies.

Connecticut performing arts students at UNCF member HBCUs can access funding through the John Lennon Endowed Scholarship, which offers up to US $5,000 for tuition support. Eligible applicants are U.S. nationals or permanent residents majoring in music or performing arts with at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need.

Connecticut performing arts and communications students enrolled at UNCF-member HBCUs can receive up to US $4,000 in tuition support through the Michael Jackson Scholarship. This one-time 2025–26 award from United Negro College Fund assists U.S. nationals and permanent residents pursuing higher education in performing arts fields.

High school seniors planning to major or minor in performing arts can receive scholarship support for higher education, including students from areas beyond Connecticut. With a mission to serve community needs, Four County Community Foundation offers US $1,000 awards to seniors from Armada, Capac, Imlay City, and Romeo with strong performing arts backgrounds.

The Emergency Assistance Funds, provided by the Entertainment Community Fund, offer vital support to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unforeseen financial hardships. This program aids with essential living expenses, including healthcare and housing, to prevent eviction or service shut-offs. Eligible applicants must document their earnings and demonstrate a genuine need for assistance. Established in 1882, the Fund understands the unique challenges faced by those in the arts industry, ensuring they receive the help necessary to maintain stability.

The IATSE Local 600: Traditional Hardship Fund Grant provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals in times of unexpected need. This grant supports basic living expenses like healthcare and housing, aiming to prevent eviction or shut-offs. Eligible members must have been in good standing for at least two years and have faced work loss due to illness or disasters. The fund ensures support during critical times, promoting stability within the community.

The Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1948, dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of music. It offers free, live music programs across the United States and Canada, ensuring access to quality musical experiences for diverse communities. Funded by royalties from major record labels, the MPTF collaborates with local arts organizations to promote music education and performance, enriching lives through the power of music at no cost to attendees.