McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships Grant

The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships, offered by the Playwrights’ Center, support mid-career theater artists residing in Minnesota. With a grant of $25,000, the fellowship aims to recognize and advance the work of artists such as actors, directors, and designers. Applicants are encouraged to showcase their work through live performances, though not mandatory. This program promotes artistic merit and professional achievement, ensuring that the selected fellows can significantly enhance their careers.

NOTE: Advance notification of intent to apply is strongly encouraged (but not required). Local panelists attend performances to help familiarize themselves with applicants' work, so it is very important to declare your intent to apply and inform the Playwrights’ Center where and when your performances take place. You may notify the Center of intent to apply any time before the final application deadline. You may submit a final application without notifying the Center in advance; however, by providing no notice of your intent to apply, you are limiting panelists’ ability to view your work in a live setting.
The McKnight Foundation, a family foundation based in Minnesota, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive.
The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships at the Playwrights’ Center recognize theater artists other than playwrights. The intent of the program is to recognize and support mid-career artists living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and attributes of artistic merit. The $25,000 fellowships are intended to significantly advance recipients’ art and careers.
Please note that although live performances are helpful to the panelists in getting to know your work, they are not the only factor. Two of the five panelists are specifically invited from outside of Minnesota, and therefore, will likely not have the opportunity to see applicants’ live performances. If you do not have any performances during the application cycle, you are still welcome to apply. You will submit a work sample and supporting materials which will be evaluated by the entire panel, and there are previous fellows who successfully applied without having any live work to share during the process.
This is another reason to submit an intent to apply—everyone on that list will be notified about all working and information sessions.
Selection is based on a commitment to theater arts, evidence of professional achievement, and a sustained body of work over multiple years.

Eligibility

Professional artists who have been continuous residents of Minnesota since the specified date are eligible to apply. Fellows must maintain residence in Minnesota during the fellowship year (see specified dates on the website). Fellows must have the legal right to work in the United States.The Theater Artist Fellowship is open to actors, directors, dramaturgs, stage managers, and theatrical designers (including puppetry). Artists working in other disciplines of live theater may be eligible to apply.Previous recipients of the Fellowship must submit a work sample consisting only of work that occurred after their last fellowship term.Only individual artists are eligible; applications from collaborative groups are not accepted.

Ineligibility

Full time students at any level are not eligible.Recipients of the specified stated years of the McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships in any discipline are not eligible.Staff and board members of the McKnight Foundation or the Playwrights' Center and their immediate families are not eligible.Applicants may only apply for one McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship each year in any of the disciplines listed.