Grant and Collaborative Initiatives: Scholarly Symposia and Conferences

The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music offers the Grant and Collaborative Initiatives program, which supports scholarly symposia and conferences related to the works of Kurt Weill, Lotte Lenya, and Marc Blitzstein. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to cover honoraria, travel expenses, and materials for educational activities. The Foundation, established in 1962, has awarded over $5 million since its inception, fostering appreciation for musical theater and its creators.

NOTE:
The annual application deadline is 1 November for proposals for projects and performances taking place on or after 1 January of the coming year and before 1 July of the year following. For example, the application deadline is 1 November 2025 for proposals for projects and performances taking place on or after 1 January 2026 and before 1 July 2027. (Proposals for retroactive funding of projects or performances will not be accepted.)
An additional application deadline of 1 June is primarily intended for College/University Performance grants for productions taking place in the following academic year, however applications in all categories are welcome at this time.
Applications for support of major professional productions/festivals/exhibitions, etc., may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis without application deadlines.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Programs and Business Affairs to discuss their proposal prior to submission.
About the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Based in New York City, the Foundation encourages appreciation of Weill’s music through support of performances, recordings, and scholarship, while nurturing talent more generally in the creation, performance, and study of musical theater. Through its Grants Program, the KWF funds projects and productions involving the work of both Kurt Weill and Marc Blitzstein in a number of categories, including both professional and amateur performance. As counterparts to the Grants Program, Collaborative Initiatives foster partnerships to realize projects that advance the strategic goals of the Foundation.
Grants Program & Collaborative Initiatives
The Foundation's Grant and Collaborative Initiatives Programs award financial support to individuals and not-for-profit organizations for projects related to Weill, Lenya, or Marc Blitzstein. Since 1983 the Foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grant funding to hundreds of organizations and individuals worldwide. Proposals are accepted in the following categories: Professional Performance, College/University and Amateur Performance, Media, Scholarly Symposia and Conferences, Publication Assistance, Research & Travel, and the Kurt Weill Dissertation Fellowship.
Grants Program: Scholarly Symposia and Conferences
Performing and educational organizations may request funding for scholarly or educational activities (workshops, symposia, scholarly conferences, secondary and college-level educational initiatives, etc.) focusing on Weill, Lenya, and/or Blitzstein. Support may be requested for payment of honoraria and travel expenses, preparation and printing of supporting materials, etc.

Ineligibility

Proposals for retroactive funding of projects or performances will not be accepted.