Best Grants for Performing Arts in Alabama

Alabama performing arts and other nonprofit or government organizations in rural or small communities can access funding for Southern artist fees through South Arts’ Arts in Rural Places Grants, offering up to US $3,000 with a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Eligible projects feature Southern film, traditional, visual, performing, or literary artists in at least two public activities.

K–12 schools and 501(c)(3) organizations in Alabama can seek funding to expand student participation in athletics, arts, and music programs, including new offerings, equipment, and program enhancements. With a mission to elevate communities, Alabama Power Foundation prioritizes Title I and high-need schools to improve access to extracurricular opportunities that support student success.

High school seniors in Alabama and nine other southern states planning careers in the music business or arts can receive scholarship support for their education. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Josh Turner Scholarship Fund prioritizes students from rural areas, including rural South Carolina schools, pursuing performing, visual, or music arts-related paths.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, government units, and tribal communities in Alabama and other South Arts region states can receive US $500 - US $2,500 to make arts programs accessible for people with disabilities. Focused on accessibility and inclusion, South Arts invites performing arts and other arts groups to fund program accommodations, training, and minor facility enhancements.

South Arts Inc

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.

Our mission: Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Arts in Community Grants

Program Description

Arts in Community Grants are designed to support deeper engagements between Southern communities and artists. Through these grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, we aim to increase access to the arts, expand audiences for artists, and broaden our reach. Eligible projects require a Southern artist/company visiting another Southern state for public activities, offering access to arts programming by professional artists. Funding supports Southern film directors, traditional artists, visual artists, performing artists, or writers:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Projects require an artist or artist ensemble and a host or partner organization. Project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities – both a public presentation (a film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement activity (a workshop, demonstration, lecture, facilitated discussion, or master class). The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Nonprofit and governmental arts presenting organizations in Alabama can receive up to US $1,000 to support staff and guest artist travel and other professional development costs. With a mission to strengthen arts presenters, South Arts provides Southern performing, visual, media/film, literary, traditional, and multidisciplinary organizations with funding for conferences, festivals, workshops, and virtual training.

Alabama State Council on the Arts

The mission of the Alabama State Council on the Arts is: To enhance the quality of life and economic vitality for all Alabamians by providing support for the state’s diverse and rich artistic resources.

Agency Goals:

• Support excellence and professionalism in the arts.
• Provide opportunities for high-quality arts education for every Alabama student and lifelong learner.
• Provide opportunities for all Alabamians to experience the arts.
• Identify, preserve, and present folk art traditions.
• Promote diverse cultural artistic expressions.
• Recognize and support the arts as a driver of economic vitality.
• Increase public recognition and appreciation for the arts, arts organizations, and individual artists.

Projects

Project Grants are the most frequently applied for grant type, allowing a wide range of activities and events that result in positive arts experiences for the public. Project Grant proposals have included:

• Festivals.
• Performances.
• Research and field surveys.
• Exhibitions.
• Author readings.
• Juried competitions.
• Theatrical productions.
• Classes and workshops.
• The creation or commissioning of works of art.
• …And many other arts-oriented activities.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible governmental units in Alabama can apply for Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation’s charitable grants to support community betterment, basic human needs, health and wellness, and music, theater, and the arts. Performing arts organizations serving Alabama communities may be eligible if they operate in the foundation’s covered states.

Alabama nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, schools, and school systems can apply for Alabama “Support the Arts” License Tag Grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to support arts education projects, including drama, music, dance, and visual arts. Performing arts programs with creative, innovative, or statewide impact receive priority, with awards up to US $5,000.

Performing arts nonprofits and other arts organizations in Alabama can receive up to US $1,000 for staff and board professional development, including conferences, workshops, and organization-wide training. Grants from South Arts help small-budget organizations in the South build skills and capacity through first-time opportunities that support long-term sustainability and growth.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

Alabama students pursuing higher education in performing or visual arts can apply for the O'Shea Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, a US $1,000 award supporting full-time study at accredited 2- or 4-year institutions. Focused on education and the arts, Legacy Foundation pays awards directly to schools or for book reimbursement and requires its Universal Application.

Alabama performing arts students may be eligible for the Melvin L. and Frances E. Tolson Scholarship Trust Fund, which supports Carroll County, Ohio residents pursuing aviation, art education, or fine and performing arts studies. Administered by Stark Community Foundation, this renewable scholarship awards more than US $500 for college, university, technical, or vocational programs.

Alabama 501(c)(3) nonprofits presenting free outdoor performing arts or music festivals can access funding via the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation. Grants of up to US $5,000 support 2026 U.S.-based festivals that activate underused outdoor spaces, use live music to bring people together, and expand arts access for local communities.

Current or former Oregon Shakespeare Festival employees facing unexpected financial hardship can receive emergency assistance for basic living expenses such as housing, utilities, and health care. Focused on crisis support for performing arts professionals, the Entertainment Community Fund helps eligible individuals cover critical costs during natural disasters or unforeseen personal crises.

Alabama performing arts students planning to study music or the arts at a U.S. post-secondary school can access funding through the Columbus Foundation’s Jean T. Grant Scholarship, which awards US $1,000. Graduating high school seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA may be eligible if their schools and studies align with the scholarship’s criteria.

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

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.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Fueling Equity & Racial Justice Since 1925

KZCF is dedicated to our mission to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County.

Scholarships & Education Grants

For All Levels of Education After High School

Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.

Dominic & Barbara Court Family Arts Scholarship Fund

This fund was established from the estate of Barbara Court to provide scholarships for students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that would lead to a career in the arts.

Multiyear Award; Renews Annually

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who is matriculating in a performing arts program, has demonstrated commitment to their art, and has demonstrated evidence of community involvement and service to others.

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

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in the U.S., including those in Alabama, can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 for arts-related degrees. Funding supports fine and performing arts, creative writing, film, photography, culinary arts, fashion and jewelry design, and related fields.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in the arts can receive need-based scholarship support for full-time study, including performing arts, from Native Forward Scholars Fund. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help students in Alabama and across the U.S. pursue fine arts, visual arts, crafts, music, dance, literary arts, creative writing, and poetry with awards from US $100 - US $30,000.

Performing arts nonprofits and eligible music organizations in Alabama can apply for the Aaron Copland Fund for Music’s project support awards of US $2,000 - US $20,000 to fund special projects in contemporary American concert music or jazz. Funding supports discrete activities like performances, recordings, festivals, residencies, and related programs that build public appreciation.

Performing arts nonprofits and music organizations presenting contemporary American concert music or jazz can seek general operating support through this program, with awards of US $2,000 - US $20,000. Focused on contemporary music, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music invites Alabama ensembles, presenters, service organizations, and eligible record companies to apply for unrestricted funding to sustain their artistic work.

Graduating high school seniors and college students pursuing visual or performing arts degrees in Alabama may be eligible for the Burrell Family Scholarship, administered by Crown Point Community Foundation. Applicants submit one application considered for multiple scholarships, with awards based on donor-defined criteria including residency and arts-focused study.