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
ASC Artist Support Grants Arts & Science Council Charlotte/Mecklenburg Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The ASC Artist Support Grants program supports emerging and established artists in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area by funding professional and artist development.	Not published	Up to $3K
Jim Henson Foundation: Artist Grants The Jim Henson Foundation · Foundation Not published · $4K – $10K The Jim Henson Foundation offers annual grants for innovative contemporary puppet theater works, with three categories: Workshop Grants ($3,000), Production Grants ($7,000), and Family Grants ($4,000).	Not published	$4K – $10K
Collaborative Grants Leander Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · $300 – $5K LEEF's Collaborative Grants program supports teams of passionate educators from across Leander ISD who work together across campuses, grade levels, and departments to design innovative solutions that directly impact students.	Not published	$300 – $5K
PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award Pen American Center Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Founded in 1922, PEN America is the largest of the more than 100 centers worldwide that make up the PEN International network.	Not published	Varies
JCFKC: White Theatre Grantor Fund Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City · Foundation Not published · Varies The JCFKC: White Theatre Grantor Fund, managed by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, supports Jewish non-profit agencies and synagogues by covering technical and rental fees for events at the Lewis and Shirley White…	Not published	Varies
David C. Herriman Fund Grant The Greater Cincinnati Foundation · Foundation Not published · $15K – $350K The David C. Herriman Fund, established by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, aims to support regional performing arts organizations in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.	Not published	$15K – $350K
Chris Witte Memorial Scholarship Grant Community Foundation for Nantucket Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $10K The Chris Witte Memorial Scholarship offers financial support to dedicated Nantucket community members pursuing education or training in the Theater Arts.	Not published	$1K – $10K
Howard Gilman Performing Arts Residency Cohort (PARC) Grant The Howard Gilman Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $6K The Howard Gilman Performing Arts Residency Cohort (PARC) supports ten performing artists in Staten Island, focusing on Dance, Music, and Theatre.	Not published	$6K
ACC / Saison Foundation Fellow Designation Asian Cultural Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The ACC/Saison Foundation partnership provides designated funding for exceptional artists and organizations, recognizing collaboration between ACC and the Saison Foundation in supporting international cultural exchange.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Assistance Funds Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Emergency Assistance Funds, provided by the Entertainment Community Fund, offer vital support to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unforeseen financial hardships.	Not published	Varies
Open Stage Space Grant The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Not published · Varies A program supporting emerging NYC theatre companies by providing free rehearsal and performance space at EAG's historic Guild Hall. The grant period concludes with public performances.	Not published	Varies
Kronkosky Charitable Foundation Grant: Arts & Culture Albert & Bessie Mae Kronkosky Charitable · Foundation Not published · Varies The Kronkosky Charitable Foundation Grant for Arts & Culture supports innovative and creative projects that enhance community vibrancy and provide access to essential cultural resources.	Not published	Varies
Barbara Smith Speech, Debate & Drama Fund Miami Public Schools Enrichment · Foundation Not published · $25K A newly established challenge grant fund designed to support the sustained success and growth of the Speech, Debate, & Drama program at Miami High School.	Not published	$25K
Theatrical Production Tax Credit Maryland Department of Commerce · State Not published · Varies A refundable state income tax credit equal to 25% of qualified production costs for theatrical productions (including feature films and TV series) filmed in Maryland, designed to encourage film and media production in the state.	Not published	Varies
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant - George O. Pringle Performing Arts Series Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K Support of the 2019-2020 George O. Pringle Performing Arts Series The NEA grant supports access to arts and cultural programming in communities both large and small across the nation.	Not published	$10K
ASTR Selma Jeanne Cohen Conference Presentation Award Grant American Society for Theatre Research · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The ASTR Selma Jeanne Cohen Conference Presentation Award supports scholars participating in plenary or working sessions at the ASTR conference.	Not published	Up to $1K
Art Works Grant (National Endowment for the Arts) Virginia Symphony Orchestra · Foundation Not published · $15K The Virginia Symphony Orchestra received this grant in 2017 to support the world premiere of composer Michael Daugherty's Concerto for Orchestra.	Not published	$15K
The Alice M. Ditson Fund: Organizational Support - Fall Deadline Grant The Alice M. Ditson Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Alice M. Ditson Fund offers organizational support for summer festivals and conferences focused on contemporary American classical music.	Not published	Varies
Spotlight Academy Youth Theatre Program (Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Grant) Rochester Community and Technical Colleg · Foundation Not published · Varies Spotlight Academy is a dynamic 8-week youth theatre program offered by Rochester Community and Technical College for students in grades 3 through 12.	Not published	Varies
Koch Cultural Trust (KCT) Enabling Grants Koch Family Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Koch Cultural Trust (KCT) Enabling Grants support visual and performing artists in Kansas by providing necessary funding to advance their careers.	Not published	Up to $5K
Writers Alliance Grants The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K The Writers Alliance Grants provide $5,000 to a writer and $5,000 towards a nonprofit theater's production of that writer's new work. These grants celebrate working relationships between writers and theaters that align with DGF core values.	Not published	$5K
Arts & Culture Fund Our Fund Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $300K – $370K The Our Fund Foundation's annual Arts & Culture Fund supports dynamic LGBTQ+-specific programs and initiatives in South Florida. The foundation awarded $370,000 in 2025 and $300,000 in 2024 through this fund.	Not published	$300K – $370K
Arts@MSP Public Art & Exhibition Opportunities Airport Foundation MSP · Foundation Rolling · Varies Open calls from Arts@MSP for U.S.-based professional artists and arts organizations: RFQ to join the public-art roster, RFP for rotating exhibitions, and RFP for performing arts at MSP Terminals 1 & 2.	Rolling	Varies
IATSE Local 161 Hardship Relief Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 161 Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs.	Not published	Varies

Showing 313–336 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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