Literature Theater Presenting Grants
- It is expensive to put on live theatrical productions.theatre image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
While live theater is considered one of the highest art forms, it is very difficult to make a living in theater. Shows are expensive to produce and stage, and actors often have to accept low pay because of budget restrictions. Fortunately, there are grants available for theaters and producers if you know where to look. - The Association of Performing Arts Presenters offers grants to ensemble theaters for the purpose of helping producers travel, network and make new partnerships. These annual grants fund travel by producers to theaters in the United States, theater symposiums and theater festivals.
In order to apply for the grant, a theater producer must fill out a form online. In addition, he must send a Microsoft Word document via email that explains how much funding is needed, the purpose of the trip and a three-year history of work in the theater. The grant applicant must also provide proof that his theater is a 501(c) 3 entity. If the applicant is working for a theater that does not yet possess this status, he must provide letters from the theater proving that he is authorized to make decisions for the theater.
Successful applicants can receive up to $2,000 for domestic travel and $1,000 for international travel. Travel must be for the purpose of making arrangements to produce plays; travel for the purpose of performing or building a theater agency business is not eligible. After receiving the grant, the applicant must provide proof of travel within four months. - New England States Touring (NEST) is a program seeking to fund theater in New England. It funds non-profit organizations which in turn fund theater companies they wish to bring to New England.
Nonprofit organizations such as libraries or parks that want to bring theater to New England must search online for artists that are eligible to receive funding. Once they find an artist, they can apply online for funding to bring that artist's work to their location. - The National Endowment for the Arts funds a wide variety of theater programs under the umbrella title Grants for Arts Program. Interested theaters may apply for a grant in the Access to Artistic Excellence or Challenge America Fast-Track categories. A theater may only apply for one grant per year.
The Access to Artistic Excellence program provides funding to projects that the NEA considers particularly innovative while the Fast-Track program funds projects that reach underserved populations such as minority communities or disabled people. Both grants require an online application as well as documents supporting the proposed project such a project description, budget and explanation of how the project fits the proposed category.
