Best Grants for Performing Arts in Wisconsin

Wisconsin performing arts and cultural organizations managed by accredited charities can seek funding for innovative projects in humanitarian, educational, community, environmental, and contemporary arts. La Roche supports high-quality initiatives that promote sustainable development, engage employees, and may involve local affiliates funding programs based and operating in the same country as the Roche office.

Wisconsin performing arts and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits or governmental units focused on community betterment, basic needs, health, or the arts can access funding through Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation. Eligible applicants must provide services in Frankenmuth Insurance’s operating states, including Wisconsin, and complete the foundation’s online application with required tax-exemption and financial documentation.

Wisconsin performing arts and other arts-focused nonprofits can access funding through the GIG Fund to present public-facing arts projects and activities in Midwestern communities. Administered by Illinois Arts Council in partnership with Arts Midwest, this program offers US $2,000 - US $15,000 for performances, festivals, exhibits, public art, and related costs that reach underserved audiences.

Performing and visual artists and culture bearers in Wisconsin can receive major support to advance racially equitable creative work in their communities. The Joyce Foundation, through the Joyce Awards administered by United States Artists, offers up to US $140,000 total, including unrestricted artist funding and a grant to a partnering Great Lakes arts organization.

Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, hospitals, clinics, and tribal organizations in Wisconsin can apply for Arts Midwest’s GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness, awarding US $2,000 - US $15,000 for arts-and-wellness projects. Eligible performing arts groups must engage a professional artist or ensemble and offer at least two activities between December 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Nonprofit and tribal arts organizations in Wisconsin can receive US $2,000 - US $15,000 to present professional artists and offer educational, community-focused arts events. Arts Midwest’s GIG Fund supports touring or local artist fees, accessibility accommodations, and marketing for at least two activities, including one public performance or exhibition reaching underserved audiences.

Grants from Aaron Copland Fund for Music help Wisconsin performing arts organizations presenting contemporary American concert music or jazz with unrestricted general support, awarding US $2,000 - US $20,000. Eligible 501(c)(3) groups or fiscally sponsored projects with at least two years of professional-level programming may include ensembles, presenters, festivals, record companies, and music service organizations nationwide.

Performing arts nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups in Wisconsin can seek project funding to present or promote contemporary American concert music and jazz. Aaron Copland Fund for Music supports professional ensembles, presenters, music service organizations, and record companies with US $2,000 - US $20,000 for discrete projects like performances, recordings, residencies, and related public programs.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in performing and other arts fields can receive need-based scholarship support to study full-time at accredited institutions in the U.S., including Wisconsin. Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Elizabeth Furber Scholarship supports fine and visual arts, crafts, music, performing arts and dance, literary arts, creative writing, and poetry. Awards range from US $100 - US $30,000.

Wisconsin American Indian and Alaska Native students in performing and fine arts fields can access funding through Native Forward Scholars Fund for vocational, undergraduate, or graduate study at accredited U.S. institutions. Awards range from $100 to $30,000 per year and are merit-based, requiring a 3.0 GPA, full-time enrollment, and verified Tribal affiliation or descent.

Students pursuing higher education in performing or visual arts, or related academic fields, can apply for Legacy Foundation’s O'Shea Patrick McCarthy Scholarship; awards US $1,000 for tuition or books. Eligible applicants must attend an accredited 2- or 4-year institution full-time, including students from Wisconsin and beyond the Lake County, Indiana region.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Melvin L. and Frances E. Tolson Scholarship Trust Fund

The Melvin L. and Frances E. Tolson Scholarship Trust Fund was established to assist students who are residents of Carroll County, Ohio in furthering their education with interests in either aviation, art education or fine and performing arts who are enrolled or accepted at a college, university, technical, or vocational school.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

About Levitt

The Levitt Family Foundation exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. We partner with communities to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together and invigorates community life.

Festival Grants

The Levitt Foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals in 2026. 

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.

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.

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 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

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Adam Scripps lived a life of humble generosity, helping to improve the lives of others without seeking recognition or fanfare for himself. The family-run Adam R. Scripps Foundation, established posthumously in 2023, allocates millions annually to his cherished causes like animal welfare and community development, with grants overseen by his relatives to honor his legacy.

Honoring Adam’s legacy, we make grants to collaborate, provide support and build resources that create opportunities and transformative pathways. For generations to come, we will improve lives and transform communities because we are a leader in family philanthropy. We value helping communities create lasting change. We do this through compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity.

Local Community Grant

A genuine love of neighbor inspired Adam to help others, and his example inspires us to sustain his support of local communities.  

Driven by Adam’s sense of civic responsibility, the foundation is focused on initiatives to support both community infrastructure and the citizens for whom that infrastructure is designed, including:

• Parks and greenspaces
• Recreation facilities
• Visual and performing arts
• Community service organizations
• Historic building preservation
• Festival sponsorship
• Veterans’ organizations

Wisconsin performing and visual arts students can access funding through Crown Point Community Foundation’s Burrell Family Scholarship if they are South Lake County residents pursuing a degree in the visual or performing arts. Graduating high school seniors and current college students may qualify through a single application reviewed alongside other CPCF-administered scholarships.

Graduating high school seniors involved in theatre who are pursuing performing arts or related degrees can receive scholarship support for higher education, including trade schools, through this program in the U.S. Crown Point Community Foundation administers the Marion Kellum Performing Arts Scholarship as part of its broader mission to enrich community life.

Wisconsin students pursuing degrees in performing arts, fine art, design, architecture, or construction management can receive scholarship support for accredited postsecondary education through the Walter Blackburn Scholarship. With a mission to build opportunity, Central Indiana Community Foundation assists eligible applicants with tuition and other educational expenses, with preference for Marion County public school and/or minority students.

High school seniors and college students pursuing performing arts degrees who are legal residents of Beaufort County can apply for the Sarah Creech Performing Arts Scholarship to support post-secondary education. While based in South Carolina, this Community Foundation of the Lowcountry scholarship may interest Wisconsin performing arts students seeking similar opportunities in their own region.

Graduating Smith County high school seniors active in performing or visual arts and planning to major in those fields can receive a one-year Partners in Arts Scholarship to support U.S. college costs. Focused on higher education in the arts, East Texas Communities Foundation funds tuition, fees, room and board, and books or supplies.

Graduating high school seniors from Smith County, Texas pursuing music or performing arts studies can apply for East Texas Communities Foundation’s R. Don Cowan Music & Performing Arts Scholarship, with awards of US $5,000 for college expenses. Students may attend any U.S. college and Wisconsin-bound performing arts majors may also benefit if they meet the Smith County requirement.

Grants from United Negro College Fund help Wisconsin performing arts and communications students at UNCF member HBCUs cover college costs, with awards up to US $5,000. Eligible applicants are U.S. nationals or permanent residents majoring in communications, mass media arts, music, or performing arts with at least a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need.

U.S. communication and performing arts students attending UNCF-member HBCUs can receive up to US $4,000 for higher education costs through the Michael Jackson Scholarship. With a mission to support minority education, United Negro College Fund provides this one-time 2025–26 academic year award, which may benefit Wisconsin students meeting GPA and residency requirements.

The George S. Souten Performing Arts Scholarship, offered by the Four County Community Foundation, supports high school seniors from Armada, Capac, Imlay City, and Romeo who plan to major or minor in performing arts. Applicants must demonstrate a strong background in the arts and submit an essay. Awardees will be recognized during the Foundation's Scholarship Celebration in May and at their respective high school awards events.