Best Grants for Theater in Wisconsin

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 theater and other arts groups must engage a professional artist or ensemble and offer at least two activities between December 2025 and June 2026.

Wisconsin students pursuing full-time undergraduate theater arts degrees can receive scholarship support for tuition and related educational costs. Marshfield Area Community Foundation provides the James Brasington Theater Scholarship, with preference for students from its Marshfield-area service communities who demonstrate interest in acting and financial need; the award is renewable for up to three additional years.

The Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports students from Rock Island County pursuing post-secondary education. With awards of up to $1,000, this scholarship is not renewable and is open to applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Preference is given to students majoring in journalism, theater arts, or special education, or those attending accredited trade schools.

Wisconsin secondary school theater educators seeking professional development support can access funding through the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Grants up to US $500 help cover conference or workshop registration, travel and housing, facilitator stipends, training supplies, software licenses, and instructional equipment, with funded activities to be completed within one year.

Wisconsin theater designers, technicians, and students can access funding through the United States Institute for Theatre Technology to support international travel for research and professional development. Grants up to US $2,500 cover expenses like transportation, lodging, fees, and materials for attending theatre exhibitions, festivals, events, seminars, or workshops, with recipients sharing their experiences with USITT members.

Emerging theater and entertainment design professionals in Wisconsin and across the U.S. can apply for the Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellowship, awarding US $3,000 - US $3,500 in mentorship value for nonprofit leadership development. Offered by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, it provides 12–18 months of board access, travel, and governance experience.

Wisconsin theater and arts organizations fostering broad, diverse engagement with Shakespeare through teaching, scholarship, performance, or activism may be eligible for this national award. Shakespeare Association of America provides support to SAA members or collaborations led by a member whose projects build and sustain vibrant Shakespeare publics.

Wisconsin professional theater companies producing work at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts can access funding through Madison Community Foundation to help cover production costs. Eligible applicants must meet at least three professional criteria, such as equity contracts and paid actors or staff, and cannot already hold a Great Performance Fund endowment at the foundation.

Native performing artists and Native-led performing arts organizations in Wisconsin can receive US $30,000 for live theater, dance, music, and other performance productions in active development. Grants from First Peoples Fund help U.S.-based Native creators stage multi-artist live productions, which may include theater projects and tours serving Native communities.

High schools in Wisconsin and across the U.S. producing plays or musicals that explore diverse perspectives can apply for the Craig Zadan Pathway for Equity in the Arts Grant, awarding US $10,000 for productions and professional mentors. Funding supports student collaboration with industry professionals and community events that spark meaningful dialogue.

High school seniors pursuing college-level arts education can receive $5,000 from the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship to support tuition. Focused on dance, drama, visual arts, and music, Arts Council of the Morris Area invites talented students, including those active in theater, to apply if they are Morris County, New Jersey residents attending New Jersey schools.

High school seniors in New Jersey pursuing dance, drama, visual arts, or music degrees can receive $1,500 toward tuition through the Eugenie Coladarci Arts Scholarship. Focused on supporting young artists’ training, Morris Arts invites Morris County residents with strong theater or other arts portfolios to submit work samples, essays, and recommendations.

Emerging U.S.-based music critics and writers in Wisconsin can receive US $5,000 in unrestricted support to advance their arts writing careers, including paying themselves to write. Japanese American National Museum’s Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship funds critical, analytical, or interpretive writing on music, with opportunities to publish on the Democracy Center blog and give a public talk.

Individual artists, arts organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects creating environmentally focused theater and other art forms can apply for Puffin Foundation support, with priority for U.S.-based projects including Wisconsin. This program funds solution-oriented environmental artistic activism; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients with an SSN may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater companies in Wisconsin and nationwide can receive US $20,000 - US $30,000 to support paid apprenticeships for early-career theater administrators and technicians. Arts Midwest’s Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships program funds roles like technicians, set designers, and operations, tied to community-based, cross-sector theater activities and professional development convenings.

Professional dramatists in Wisconsin needing help with essential living costs can receive one-time $500 support for housing, food, utilities, health care, and other basic needs. With a mission to sustain theater writers in hardship, Dramatists Guild Foundation provides U.S.-based playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists with Bridge Grants; individuals must meet specific professional criteria and financial need thresholds.

Individual artists, small arts nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored projects in the U.S. can apply for Puffin Foundation’s annual grants, awarding up to US $3,500 for theater and video/film projects. Wisconsin theater makers and media artists, especially those excluded from mainstream opportunities, may be eligible if their primary focus is live performance or film/video work.

Wisconsin high school seniors pursuing theater studies and needing help with tuition can access funding through American Theatre Wing’s Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: University Scholarships. Awards up to US $10,000 per year support any theater discipline at accredited U.S. universities, with renewable funding, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for underrepresented students.

Emerging musical theatre composers, lyricists, librettists, and collaborative writing teams creating new, fully producible work can receive US $10,000 to advance their artistic careers, including those based in Wisconsin. American Theatre Wing’s Jonathan Larson Grants support professional writers working in the U.S., offering flexible funding to further creative development rather than a specific project.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative offers Classroom Resources Grants aimed at enhancing theatre education in under-resourced public schools. Funded by a $1.3 million grant from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the initiative provides essential resources, scholarships, and grants to foster artistic growth. By supporting diverse students and schools, this program opens pathways to careers in theatre, ensuring all young people have access to quality arts education, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of America.

The Asian Cultural Council's Graduate Fellowship provides financial support for travel and living expenses to graduate students from Asia studying in the U.S. It offers $15,000 for one academic year, potentially renewable for another year, covering essential costs while pursuing full-time coursework. This initiative fosters international cultural exchange and enhances academic training in the arts. Eligible applicants must be enrolled full-time in accredited graduate programs and commit to at least two consecutive semesters of study.

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Susan Falsetti-Burdett Memorial Scholarship Fund for Music

Born in Kittanning in 1957, Susan Burdett was the daughter of Aldo and Dorothy (Trenchik) Falsetti, and was a lifelong resident of our community. Susie was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend. She taught music to many over the years, and also taught at Divine Redeemer School. She was caring, compassionate, sharing and understanding. Her charity will live on through this Susan Falsetti-Burdett memorial Scholarship Fund for Music.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Bernie G. Yvon Memorial Fund Scholarship

For High School Seniors & College Students in The Theatre/Performing Arts

The purpose of the fund is to perpetuate the legacy of Bernie G. Yvon by supporting students pursuing study in the Theatre/Performing Arts with need-based scholarships. In this tenth year (2026), amounts up to $2000 each will be available from contributions to the fund via The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. In selecting the successful candidate(s), the review committee will consider the following:

• Knowledge of Bernie G. Yvon
• Theatre/Performing Arts potential and past experiences
• Financial need
• Academic record
• Two letters of recommendation
• GPA

Our Mission

Empower donors to fulfill their passions and dreams by establishing charitable vehicles designed to create a positive and enduring impact on Jewish Buffalo, Western New York and the World.

Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award

The Geoff Richter Performing Arts Award Committee announces the availability of an Award up to $2,000! The GRPAA was founded in memory of Geoff Richter, Western New York Musician and Educator of the Arts.

About Geoff Richter

A native of Eden, New York, Geoff received his Bachelor of Music degree with a Performer’s Certificate in trumpet and a Master’s with a Performers Fellowship, from the Eastman School of Music.

Geoff played trumpet professionally with the Rochester, San Antonio, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras and Niagara Falls, Binghamton, Chautauqua, Orchard Park, Clarence, Cheektowaga, and Amherst Symphony Orchestras. He co-founded the Buffalo Brass Quintet, the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band, and The Frankfurters, an internationally known Bavarian show band. He also acted as the summer/pops conductor of the Erie County Wind Ensemble and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.

After retiring from a long career at Williamsville North High School, Geoff started working part time as director of the orchestra for musicals at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute. He also worked with the Mount Saint Mary Academy band and recruited and directed the orchestra for the annual school musical.

Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations. 

Each year, Cumberland Community Foundation announces more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships to students from southeastern North Carolina.

Leonard G. McLeod Theatre Scholarship

Receiving a diploma from any high school in Cumberland County.

The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship

The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 to $5,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The Lynne Goldsborough Yowell Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, supports students from Madison and Culpeper County public high schools. It is awarded to high school graduates or current college students pursuing an Arts Major, defined as visual arts, music, theater, or culinary arts. Emphasizing academic merit and financial need, this scholarship honors the legacy of Lynne Goldsborough Yowell, a dedicated community advocate.