New & Experimental Works (NEW) Grant Program

New & Experimental Works (NEW) Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Amount: US $5,000 - US $30,000
Last Updated: February 05, 2026

Summary

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation's NEW Grant Program offers essential funding of $5,000 to $30,000 to small and mid-sized arts organizations in the Bay Area. Since its inception in 2015, it has supported 149 organizations with over $4 million in grants. This initiative aims to empower artists in dance, theater, and multidisciplinary arts, focusing on projects that engage with their communities and foster innovative artistic expressions.

Overview

The NEW Program provides unrestricted and artist fee support grants of $5,000-$30,000 to small and mid-size dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations that enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary projects relevant to the communities they serve. Since 2015, this program has awarded over $6 million to 204 arts organizations. The NEW Program prioritizes: Small and mid-size arts organizations with annual budgets of $10,000-$2 million. Projects that support artists to deepen or experiment within their individual practice and/or expand the boundaries of dance and theater. Compelling projects relevant to the communities they serve. Unique artistic collaborations. Projects that compensate artists at a significant level. Projects are required to designate at least half of the grant funds to the artistic project team and their direct expenses for creating the work. The remaining half is unrestricted to the applicant organization.Productions in outdoor, site-specific or alternative venues. Projects with activities in San Francisco and Oakland. Please preview this page for additional informations.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We accept applications from applicants that meet the following criteria.Tax status: Nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors (requires a written agreement).GeographyOrganizations must be based in and/or have a demonstrated history of operating in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. The Foundation prioritizes support for projects that take place in San Francisco and Oakland. See frequently asked questions for more.Artist residencyThe majority of artists supported by the project must be based in and/or have a demonstrated history of producing and working in in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. Artists supported through the grant are not required to currently reside in one of the eligible Bay Area counties.Annual budgetOrganizations must have at least a $10,000 annual budget for their last closed fiscal year.For applicants that don’t meet minimum budget requirement: If your last closed fiscal year budget does not meet this requirement, but you have had an annual budget of at least $10,000 within the last three years, please submit that prior year budget with your application.Instructions are included in the application preview available below under the “Application Process” section.

Ineligibility

The Foundation is unlikely to fund an organization consecutively through the NEW Program.