Theater
Grants for theater works are available from many sources. Playwrights and theaters are able to fund all types of works through several types of grant resources from government sponsored agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts to local and private sources. Some grants are highly competitive, requiring rigorous applications, while others are targeted to young playwrights with little or no theater experience.
The National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is the nation's premier resource for funding creative projects. While much of the NEA's funds are disseminated to state and local organizations instead of individual artists, there are programs that are available to individuals and theater troupes. Its New Play Development Program supports the creation of new work from playwrights and theaters.
National Endowment for the Arts
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506
(202) 682-5400
www.nea.gov/Grants/apply/Theater.html
New Dramatists
The New Dramatists organization is dedicated to supporting playwrights at every level. It is the nation's oldest development program for young artists. Founded in 1949 by the playwright Michaela O'Harra, many of the country's most famous playwrights received support from the New Dramatists including August Wilson, Suzan-Lori Parks, Donald Margulies and over 600 more. The New Dramatists is unique in its philosophy of long-term support of developing artists instead of dissemination of one-time grants. Playwrights who are accepted into the program receive help over a period of 7 years and have the opportunity to showcase their work in New York's theater community. Awardees have won Pulitzers, Obies, MacArthur Fellowships and many other honors.
New Dramatists
424 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 757-6960
www.newdramatists.org
Creative Capital
Creative Capital provides performing arts grants in many areas, including theater. While it is a relatively young non-profit, founded in 2000, it gave over $20 million in its first decade of existence. Over 3,000 artists have benefited from its programs. The grants have non-arts restrictions: applicants must be at least 25 years old, United States citizens or permanent residents and have 5 years of professional experience as an artist.
Creative Capital
65 Bleecker Street
7th Floor
New York, NY 10012
(212) 598-9900
www.creative-capital.org
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Most state and local governments have arts councils that support the work of residents. While the amount of available funding and eligibility criteria vary from state to state, local funds are an important source of support for artists. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies provides a directory of arts agencies around the country.
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-6352
www.nasaa-arts.org/aoa/saadir.shtml
