Best Grants for Performing Arts in Rhode Island

Rhode Island performing and visual artists or artist groups can access funding through the Make Art Grant to create or continue specific artist-led projects across any discipline. Administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, this program offers up to US $5,000 for materials, space rental, collaborators, documentation, experimentation, and artist stipends.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, tribal governments, and public agencies in Rhode Island and other New England states can apply for the New England Foundation for the Arts’ New England States Touring grants; awards Up to US $15,000 for presenting performing arts tours, public performances, and community engagement activities with regional, national, or international artists.

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.

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

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.

Performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical need can receive emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses, such as health care, housing, and utilities. Focused on performing arts, the Entertainment Community Fund offers the Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund specifically for current or former Oregon Shakespeare Festival employees, which may benefit Rhode Island-based artists with qualifying employment history.

Rhode Island performing arts nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals can apply for Levitt Festival Grants, which offer up to US $5,000 to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations. Focused on live performance and community engagement, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation supports events that activate underused outdoor spaces and expand access to the arts.

Carroll County, Ohio students pursuing aviation, art education, or fine and performing arts can access funding through Stark Community Foundation’s Melvin L. and Frances E. Tolson Scholarship Trust Fund, with awards of more than US $500. Rhode Island performing arts students seeking college, university, technical, or vocational training may look to this as a model when exploring similar scholarship opportunities locally.

Performing and visual arts students pursuing higher education can receive funding for accredited full-time study, including book reimbursement, through the O'Shea Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, with awards of US $1,000. Focused on arts and academic achievement, Legacy Foundation invites applicants nationwide, which may include Rhode Island students engaged in performing arts programs.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in the U.S. pursuing performing arts or related creative fields can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship. Awards of $100 to $30,000 per year support full-time study at accredited institutions, which may benefit students from Rhode Island in eligible disciplines.

American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students in the arts can receive US $100 - US $30,000 to support full-time study at accredited institutions across the U.S. through the Elizabeth Furber Scholarship. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund may benefit Rhode Island students pursuing performing arts, fine arts, creative writing, or related disciplines who can document Tribal affiliation.

Performing arts nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects in Rhode Island 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, music service organizations, record companies, and related entities with at least two years of programming or release history.

Rhode Island performing arts nonprofits and music organizations committed to contemporary American concert music or jazz can seek unrestricted general operating support for professional-level activity. Focused on music and performance, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music invites eligible ensembles, presenters, service organizations, and record companies to apply for US $2,000 - US $20,000 to strengthen their ongoing work.

Graduating high school seniors and college students pursuing visual or performing arts degrees who reside in South Lake County can apply for the Burrell Family Scholarship. Crown Point Community Foundation supports arts-focused higher education; Rhode Island performing arts students with ties to South Lake County may be eligible through its single common application.

Graduating high school seniors involved in theatre who are pursuing performing arts or other postsecondary study can receive scholarship support, including for Bachelor of Fine Arts programs. With a mission to enrich community life, Crown Point Community Foundation uses one common application to match students to over 100 scholarships, which may benefit performing arts students from Rhode Island as well.

Marion County, Indiana students pursuing degrees in performing arts, design, architecture, fine art, or construction management can receive scholarship support for college or technical education through the Walter Blackburn Scholarship. Focused on arts-related higher education, Central Indiana Community Foundation awards must be used for eligible educational expenses at accredited institutions.

High school seniors and college students pursuing performing arts degrees can receive post-secondary scholarship support through the Sarah Creech Performing Arts Scholarship. Although based in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, eligible students in Beaufort County may benefit. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry provides this funding for higher education in the performing arts.

Focused on performing and visual arts education, East Texas Communities Foundation invites Rhode Island performing arts students to explore its Partners in Arts Scholarship. Smith County, Texas graduating seniors active in band, choir, dance, orchestra, theater, or visual art who will major in visual or performing arts can receive US $1,000 for college costs nationwide.

Rhode Island performing arts students pursuing college studies in music, musical theater, or dance can access funding through East Texas Communities Foundation’s R. Don Cowan Music & Performing Arts Scholarship; awards US $5,000 for one year. Eligible applicants are graduating seniors or current college students attending any U.S. college and maintaining related arts studies.

Rhode Island performing arts and media arts students enrolled full-time at UNCF member HBCUs may be eligible for the John Lennon Endowed Scholarship, which offers up to US $5,000 for college costs. Administered by United Negro College Fund, it supports U.S. nationals or permanent residents majoring in communications, mass media, music, or performing arts with demonstrated financial need.

Rhode Island performing arts and communication students attending a UNCF-member HBCU can access funding through United Negro College Fund’s Michael Jackson Scholarship. This one-time award of up to US $4,000 supports eligible U.S. nationals or permanent residents with at least a 3.0 GPA during the 2025–26 academic year.

High school seniors planning to major or minor in performing arts can receive scholarship support for higher education, with awards of US $1,000. With a mission to strengthen education and community programs, Four County Community Foundation supports students from Armada, Capac, Imlay City, and Romeo high schools who demonstrate a strong performing arts background.

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.

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