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
Central Minnesota Arts Grant Communitygiving · Foundation Not published · $5K – $8K The Central Minnesota Arts Grant supports small to medium-sized arts organizations in Central Minnesota, aiming to enhance accessibility to the arts for local residents.	Not published	$5K – $8K
SMAC: Art Project Grants Southwest Minnesota Arts Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The SMAC Art Project Grants support nonprofit organizations in Minnesota to enhance the arts through various projects, including performances, exhibits, and community arts education.	Not published	Up to $10K
Thomas Barbour Playwrights Award The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Not published · $500 Created in 2007 to celebrate new work for the theatre. EAG partners annually with a local theatre company, collective, or playwriting program to present staged readings of three new plays, with one writer being awarded a prize.	Not published	$500
The Intentional Artist The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Not published · Varies A program mentioned in the Artist Opportunities section of EAG's website.	Not published	Varies
Witt Matheny Scholarship Grant The San Diego Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.	Not published	$1K – $5K
ETC: Equipment Grant Etc · Foundation Not published · Varies The ETC Equipment Grant supports U.S.-based non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities by providing essential lighting technology.	Not published	Varies
Bayer Fund - IN UNISON Programs Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra · Foundation Not published · $160K	Not published	$160K
Maine Artist Fellowship- Performing Arts Grant Maine Arts Commission · Foundation Not published · $5K The Maine Artist Fellowship in Performing Arts celebrates artistic excellence among Maine artists. It offers merit-based awards to individuals or collectives, focusing on creativity and vision.	Not published	$5K
RIF: Aaron Roitman Chamber Music Fund Grants The Rhode Island Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Aaron Roitman Chamber Music Fund Grants, established in 1994, support nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that deliver high-quality professional chamber music performances.	Not published	Up to $8K
Creative Space Assistance Program Grant City Of Austin · State Not published · $60K The Creative Space Assistance Program, overseen by the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division, supports creative commercial spaces facing displacement or high lease costs.	Not published	$60K
Levitt Music Series Grants - BLOC Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $120K The Levitt Music Series Grants - BLOC provides a unique opportunity for U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits to activate underused public spaces through free live music.	Not published	Up to $120K
Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grant Program Rockefeller Brothers Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grant Program, funded by The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, aims to support diverse artists and cultural organizations in New York City.	Not published	Varies
Marion Kellum Performing Arts Scholarship Grant Crown Point Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Marion Kellum Performing Arts Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, aims to support graduating high school seniors pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts or related degrees.	Not published	Varies
Kentucky Touring Grant Kentucky Arts Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Kentucky Touring Grant is a matching grant designed to enhance public access to quality performances in the commonwealth.	Not published	Up to $5K
CA$H Theatre Grant - CA$H Creates Theatre Bay Area · Foundation Not published · $3K The CA$H Theatre Grant, provided by Theatre Bay Area, supports individual artists and small theatre companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.	Not published	$3K
CMAB Public Art Grant Program Central Minnesota Arts Board · Foundation Not published · Varies The CMAB Public Art Grant Program supports the creation of impactful public art projects that are accessible to everyone at no cost. It encourages artists to engage with the community, fostering cultural identity and artistic growth.	Not published	Varies
BSO/Arbella School Bus Grant Program Arbella Insurance Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $300 The BSO/Arbella School Bus Grant Program, funded by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, provides up to $300 to schools for transportation costs to BSO Youth Concerts.	Not published	Up to $300
Kirkpatrick Family Fund Lawton Community Foundation Affiliated Fund of the Occf Inc · Foundation Not published · $6M Established in 1989 by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick, this fund has been administered by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation for over 30 years.	Not published	$6M
Canada Council for the Arts: Indigenous Organizations Grant Program Canada Council for the Arts · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The Canada Council for the Arts' Indigenous Organizations Grant Program supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations engaged in traditional and contemporary artistic practices.	Not published	Up to $100K
Emergency Aid and Relief Program (EARP) The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Episcopal Actors' Guild's primary assistance program providing emergency financial aid to professional performing artists experiencing financial crisis. Applicants must demonstrate economic need due to extenuating circumstances such as:	Rolling	Varies
Bloomberg Public Art Challenge The Bloomberg Family Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: The Public Art Challenge does not open for applications annually._ Supporting innovative temporary public art projects that enhance the vibrancy of cities.	Not published	Varies
Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant Madison Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Great Performance Fund for Theater Grant, managed by Madison Community Foundation, supports professional theater at the Overture Center for the Arts.	Not published	Varies
Frank Young Fund for New Musicals - Writers Residency Grants The National Alliance for Musical Theatre Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Frank Young Fund for New Musicals supports collaborations between member theatres and musical theatre writers via grants to NAMT's US-based not-for-profit members to support writer residencies of new musicals.	Not published	Varies
Cannes Producers Network Fellowship Independent Feature Project Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Gotham is the sole U.S. Partner Organization for the Cannes Producers Network, annually selecting up to seven experienced producers to participate.	Not published	Varies

Showing 241–264 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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