Grants for Performing Arts

Last updated October 25, 2026

Grantable tracks 539 active grants for performing arts in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 12 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 313 list an award amount, with a median of $10K.

Grants tracked: 539; from 347 funders
Median award: $10K; middle half $5,000–$25K
Total listed funding: $22.2M; across 313 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 9; 24 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Maryland Touring Grant Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies The Maryland Touring Grant provides funding to eligible Maryland-based nonprofit organizations to support the presentation of artists listed on the Maryland Performing Touring Roster.	Not published	Varies
Yaddo's Residency Grant Yaddo · Foundation Not published · Varies Yaddo's Residency provides a tranquil retreat for artists in Saratoga Springs, New York, fostering creativity through undisturbed work in a supportive environment.	Not published	Varies
Wesley W. Williamson Memorial Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Wesley W. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 15 Apr 2026.	Not published	Varies
The Creative Economy Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Creative Economy Fund offers vital support to digital creators and entertainment professionals affected by the LA Wildfires.	Not published	Varies
Zachary Fujisaki Mar Passion Memorial Scholarship Diamond Head Theatre · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
CA$H Theatre Grant - CA$H Sustains Theatre Bay Area · Foundation Not published · $5K The CA$H Theatre Grant - CA$H Sustains, offered by Theatre Bay Area, provides crucial financial support to individual artists and small theatre companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.	Not published	$5K
Civic Practice Grants Opera America Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies These grants support company efforts to learn more about civic priorities and develop partnerships with organizations within their communities.	Not published	Varies
ACC China/Hong Kong/Macau Program Asian Cultural Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This regional program supports artistic exchange and research focusing on the China, Hong Kong, and Macau regions.	Not published	Varies
Jennifer Samson Memorial Scholarship Fund Grant The Community Foundation for McHenry County · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Jennifer Samson Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by The Community Foundation for McHenry County, honors the memory of a talented artist and advocate.	Not published	Up to $2K
Hunter Brown Emergency Assistance Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals: In times of unexpected critical need.To assist towards basic living expenses, such as health care, housing and utilities to prevent…	Not published	Varies
MCF: Maine Theater Grant Maine Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $5K The MCF: Maine Theater Grant supports nonprofit professional and community theaters in Maine, fostering vibrant communities through live performances.	Not published	$3K – $5K
Narrative Short Film Grant - General Grants Berkeley Film Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $10K The Berkeley Film Foundation's Narrative Short Grant Program supports local filmmakers by providing funding for narrative short films.	Not published	$5K – $10K
Kirkpatrick Family Fund Albers Family Affiliated Fund of Occf Inc · Foundation Not published · $6M Founded by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick in 1989, the fund invests in ideas, leadership and programs that contribute to and advance the cultural, intellectual and societal interests of the community.	Not published	$6M
ETC: Performing Arts Funding Grant Etc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The ETC Performing Arts Funding Grant, established in 1975, aims to support non-profit performance groups across the United States. With grants up to $5,000, the initiative seeks to encourage artistic expression and innovation.	Not published	Up to $5K
Amphion Foundation Grant: Performing Ensembles Grants ( Spring cycle) The Amphion Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K – $8K The Amphion Foundation Grant supports performing organizations in the Spring cycle, focusing on contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers.	Not published	$2K – $8K
IATSE Local 600: Emergency Industry Slowdown Relief Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 600 Emergency Industry Slowdown Relief Grant offers vital financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected hardships.	Not published	Varies
City of Bellingham- Standard Tourism Grant City of Bellingham · State Not published · $5K – $30K The City of Bellingham offers the Standard Tourism Grant to promote cultural activities and tourism. This program supports events that attract visitors, enhancing local economic activity.	Not published	$5K – $30K
Project Awards Grant Rasmuson Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K The Rasmuson Foundation offers Project Awards to support Alaska artists in various disciplines with grants of $10,000 for specific short-term projects.	Not published	$10K
Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships Grant Jerome Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $50K The Jerome Hill Artist Fellowships provide vital support to emerging artists in Minnesota and New York City across eight artistic disciplines.	Not published	$50K
Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant Program South Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The Jazz Road Creative Residencies Grant Program, initiated by South Arts, supports professional jazz artists in the U.S. by removing financial barriers to their creative practices.	Not published	Up to $40K
Experiential Education Initiative (EEI) Internship Grant John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts · Foundation Not published · Varies The Experiential Education Initiative (EEI) Internship, established in 2000, offers a semester-long, paid internship for individuals aged 19 to 30 with intellectual disabilities.	Not published	Varies
EAG's Open Stage Space Grant The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Not published · $6K The EAG's Open Stage Space Grant, initiated by The Episcopal Actors' Guild, provides essential support to NYC's performing artists by offering $5,600 credits for theatre space bookings and $1,000 for performer stipends.	Not published	$6K
East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts Community Grants Town Of East Hartford · State Not published · $50 – $2K The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts offers community grants for projects related to the fine arts and culture. Grants, ranging from $50 to $1500, support activities such as concerts, performances, festivals, and workshops.	Not published	$50 – $2K
Giana Foundation Scholarship Grant Communities Foundation of Texas Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Giana Foundation Scholarship offers one-year scholarships of up to $5,000 for graduating high school seniors from public schools in Dallas, Collin, or Denton counties.	Not published	Up to $5K

Showing 217–240 of 534

About grants for performing arts

Grants for the performing arts support theater, dance, music, opera, and presenting organizations through production, touring, education, and operating funds. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funds the field through its Grants for Arts Projects program, and state arts councils and regional arts organizations distribute additional public dollars. Private foundations like the Mellon and Doris Duke foundations support larger institutions, artists, and field-wide initiatives.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow grants for performing arts down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do grants for performing arts award?

Of the 539 grants for performing arts Grantable lists as of October 25, 2026, 313 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $10K, and the middle half fall between $5,000 and $25K. The largest is $6M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for performing arts?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Entertainment Community Fund (11), Asian Cultural Council Inc (9), Opera America Inc (9), South Arts Inc (8), and The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc (8). In all, 347 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are grants for performing arts due?

Of 539 grants listed, 9 accept applications on a rolling basis, 24 have a published upcoming deadline, 120 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 386 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 54% fall in October–December.

What grants are available for the performing arts?

Performing arts organizations can pursue funding for productions, commissions, touring, presenting series, arts education, and operating support across disciplines like theater, dance, music, and opera. The NEA's Grants for Arts Projects is the principal federal source, and state and regional arts agencies offer project and operating grants. Private foundations add support for new work, artist development, and institutional capacity.

Who funds the performing arts?

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the central federal funder, working through state arts councils and regional arts organizations that re-grant public funds locally. Private funders such as the Mellon Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation support performing arts institutions and artists nationally, and community foundations and corporate programs fund local companies and venues.

Can individual performers apply, or only organizations?

Most public performing arts grants go to nonprofit organizations rather than individuals. Individual performers and creators typically access support through fellowships, prizes, and commissions from foundations and service organizations, or by working under a fiscal sponsor or partnering with a nonprofit so they can receive organizational funding.

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