Best Grants for Theater in Texas

Entergy’s Open Grants Program aims to enhance community well-being through funding initiatives in arts, education, social services, and community improvement. The program prioritizes support for organizations that serve diverse populations, including children and low-income communities. Eligible entities must have 501(c)(3) status or equivalent nonprofit recognition. Applications should be submitted three months in advance, allowing ample time for review. Entergy focuses on projects that foster self-sufficiency and enrich local neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

Theater artists, scholars, and arts professionals from eligible Asian countries can access a six‑month New York Fellowship to deepen their practice through cultural immersion in New York City and across the U.S., including Texas. Focused on artistic research and exchange, Asian Cultural Council supports visits to performances, institutions, workshops, and peer-learning activities.

Early mid-career theater and performing arts professionals in the U.S., including Texas, can receive US $40,000 in unrestricted fellowship support to focus on new creative or scholarly work. Grants from George A and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation help writers for performance, choreographers, and theatre, dance, and performance studies scholars secure concentrated time for their projects.

Emerging or early career individual artists in theater and other arts fields can receive up to US $5,000 for cross-border artistic development through the American Australian Association. Focused on Australia–USA exchanges, this grant supports travel, living, tuition, residencies, workshops, and mentorships, which may benefit Texas-based theater artists meeting the citizenship and residency requirements.

Texas graduate students researching theatre or performance can access funding to attend the ASTR annual conference through the American Society for Theatre Research. Awards up to US $800 plus complimentary conference registration support emerging scholars in theater-related fields who demonstrate strong interest, scholarship, and/or service.

Untenured theater scholars with terminal degrees in Texas can apply for American Society for Theatre Research travel support; awards up to US $800 plus conference registration to attend its annual November conference. Independent scholars and tenure-track or adjunct faculty working in theater may benefit from this professional development funding opportunity.

Theater and dance scholars presenting at the ASTR conference can receive up to US $1,000 and complimentary registration to support travel and hotel costs. Focused on work bridging theatre and dance/movement, the American Society for Theatre Research invites eligible graduate students, independent scholars, and faculty, including those based in Texas, to apply.

International advanced graduate students or contingent faculty in theater and performance studies based in the U.S., including Texas, can apply for the Po-Hsien Chu International Scholar Award, offering more than US $1,000 for research. At least one annual recipient must be an Asian scholar, as defined by the U.S. census, enriching global theatre scholarship.

Theater, dance, and performance scholars focusing on under-represented areas can receive up to US $3,000 for targeted research projects, including translation of key theatre documents. Focused on advancing theatre and performance studies, American Society for Theatre Research invites Texas performing arts researchers working in these areas to apply as ASTR members.

Scholars with a terminal degree conducting theater or performance studies research, including those based in Texas, can apply for the American Society for Theatre Research fellowships, awarding up to US $3,000 for research expenses. Eligible applicants must be ASTR members; rank and institutional affiliation are not considered.

Independent or affiliated scholars in Texas with a terminal degree, ASTR membership, and a book contract can receive support for illustration rights and reproduction costs in theater, dance, or performance studies publications. American Society for Theatre Research offers up to US $600, with preference for junior scholars and consideration of the project’s scholarly merit.

College-level theatre instructors with heavy teaching loads can receive up to US $1,000 plus conference registration and a one-year membership to support research projects. With a mission to advance theatre scholarship, American Society for Theatre Research provides Texas theater educators and scholars with funding for feasible, significant projects, prioritizing those with limited institutional support or that enrich ASTR’s diversity.

Contingent theatre and dance faculty and independent scholars in Texas can receive support for dance-based research or travel to the American Society for Theatre Research annual conference. Focused on theatre and dance scholarship, the society offers up to US $1,000, complimentary conference registration, and a one-year ASTR membership, with preference for those without prior ASTR support.

The ASTR Translation Prize recognizes the vital contributions of translators in theater and performance studies. It honors an exceptional English translation of works such as plays, performance texts, scholarly books, and articles published in the last calendar year. The award includes a $500 honorarium and free registration to the annual ASTR conference, promoting the importance of translations in enhancing the global theater landscape.

The Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize, awarded by the American Society for Theatre Research, honors the best essay published in English in a refereed scholarly journal or edited collection within the field of theater research. Eligible authors must be untenured and within seven years of their doctorate or enrolled in a doctoral program. The prize includes a $500 honorarium and complimentary registration for the ASTR annual meeting, acknowledging the editor's contribution to scholarship.

The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) Sally Banes Publication Prize celebrates outstanding publications that explore the relationship between theatre and dance. This award alternates between recognizing books and essays based on even and odd years, respectively. Eligible works must have been published within the last two years. The award includes a $500 prize and free conference registration, encouraging scholarly contributions to the field.

Exelixis Grants & Giving focuses on impactful charitable contributions, supporting non-profit organizations in community support, healthcare-related initiatives, independent patient assistance, medical education, and sponsorships. Their aim is to enhance oncology care, particularly for renal cell carcinoma and other cancer types, while ensuring proposals are submitted within specified timelines. Exelixis partners with organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and community health, demonstrating their commitment to making a difference beyond medicine.

The Innovations in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Awards, overseen by the Family Caregiver Alliance, recognize organizations that enhance support for family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. These awards highlight innovative approaches in three categories: Creative Expression, Increasing Access and Reducing Stigma, and Public Policy. Each award is valued at $20,000, and applicants must be non-profit organizations, government agencies, or universities operating within the U.S. that focus on the needs of unpaid caregivers.

The ACFM General Support Program provides funding ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 for organizations committed to contemporary American concert music and jazz. It supports performing ensembles, presenters, and music service organizations that enhance public appreciation of these genres. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years of programming history and a professional operational level. Activities must occur within the specified support year of September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.

The ACFM Project Support Program offers funding between $2,000 and $20,000 for special projects that enhance public appreciation of contemporary American concert music and jazz. Eligible applicants include performing ensembles and music organizations with a minimum of two years of programming history. Projects must focus on contemporary works by American composers and can involve live performances, recordings, or educational initiatives. This support is pivotal for fostering innovation and creativity in the American music scene.

The Creation & Development Fund, administered by the National Performance Network, supports the creation and mobility of artistic works that promote racial and cultural justice. It fosters collaboration between artists and communities through financial support, enabling artists to develop meaningful relationships and present their work. The fund emphasizes equity, access, and the importance of public engagement, ensuring that diverse voices are represented while addressing systemic injustices in the arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) to support diverse arts initiatives that enhance public engagement and education. These grants aim to improve community well-being through the arts and are open to all organizations, regardless of size or location. Applicants are encouraged to align their projects with NEA funding priorities, fostering creativity across various disciplines such as music, theater, and visual arts.

The Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant Program, initiated by South Arts, supports professional jazz artists in the U.S. by removing financial barriers to their creative practices. This initiative aims to enhance artistic growth through flexible residency activities, fostering community engagement and innovative collaborations. By providing crucial funding, it encourages artists to explore new creative visions, connect with diverse audiences, and build meaningful partnerships across the country, thereby enriching the jazz landscape.

The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation offers grants to support charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives, primarily in Florida and Georgia. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation prioritizes projects that address children's welfare, education, multicultural understanding, substance abuse prevention, and homelessness. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, and proposals must be endorsed by a Foundation Director. Interested parties should submit a Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, offered by the American Library Association, supports libraries facing budget constraints by providing $2,500 to three selected libraries. The 2025-2026 cycle focuses on programming that strengthens community ties through libraries as third spaces, promoting gatherings and connections among individuals. Eligible proposals may include intergenerational gardening programs, play-based activities for adults, or visual arts performances. Applicants must have ALA or ARSL membership and demonstrate how their program will foster community engagement.

The Enterprise Mobility™ Philanthropic Giving program focuses on enhancing community engagement through grants aimed at supporting health, education, arts, and disaster relief initiatives. Only Enterprise Mobility team members and their spouses or domestic partners who volunteer with a nonprofit can apply for funding. The program prioritizes sustainable projects that uplift local communities and address pressing social issues, fostering a culture of responsibility and giving back to society.