Grants for Performing Arts

Last updated October 24, 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
AFAC: Performing Arts Grant Program Arab Fund for Arts and Culture · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K The AFAC Performing Arts Grant Program supports diverse artistic expressions in the Arab region, including classical, folk, and experimental theatre, as well as various dance forms.	Not published	Up to $50K
Restart NY Regrants Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $5K	Not published	$500 – $5K
Louisiana Project Grants Louisiana Division of the Arts · Foundation Not published · $3K – $8K The Louisiana Project Grants, managed by the Louisiana Division of the Arts, aim to enhance community engagement through diverse artistic initiatives.	Not published	$3K – $8K
GIG Fund Grant Illinois Arts Council Agency · Foundation Not published · $2K – $15K The GIG Fund, managed by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, provides grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 for nonprofit organizations to support public arts projects in Midwestern communities.	Not published	$2K – $15K
Performing Arts Grant Program City of Glendale, AZ · State Not published · Up to $4K The City of Glendale, AZ is proud to present the Annual Performing Arts Grant Program, designed to support local artists and organizations.	Not published	Up to $4K
Elliott Carter Special Grant Program The Amphion Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Elliott Carter Special Grant Program, funded by the Amphion Foundation, supports projects that involve the performance or recording of less frequently performed works by Elliott Carter.	Not published	Varies
Many Voices Fellowships Grant Playwrights' Center · Foundation Not published · $56K The Many Voices Fellowship supports early career Black and Indigenous playwrights in Minnesota, offering a $25,000 salary and $3,000 for play development.	Not published	$56K
ASTR Translation Prize Grant American Society for Theatre Research · Foundation Not published · $500 The ASTR Translation Prize recognizes the vital contributions of translators in theater and performance studies.	Not published	$500
Responsive Grant- Performing Arts Cullen Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $125K The Cullen Foundation's Responsive Grant for Performing Arts aims to enhance the cultural landscape of Erie County by supporting local organizations focused on community performances in music, dance, and theatre.	Not published	$5K – $125K
National Dance Project New England Foundation for the Arts Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Varies The National Dance Project (NDP) supports the creation and U.S. touring of new dance projects and connects artists, cultural organizations, and audiences across the nation.	Not published	Varies
NPN Creation & Development Fund National Performance Network Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Creation & Development Fund is an NPN program that supports artists in creating and developing new work. The fund has supported multiple prominent artists whose work has received recognition from major national funders.	Not published	Varies
Pacific Power / Rocky Mountain Power: Arts/Culture Grants Pacificorp Foundation Aka Pacific Power · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Pacific Power Foundation is dedicated to enhancing community vitality through charitable investments, with a focus on arts and culture.	Not published	Up to $10K
Festivals Grants South Carolina Arts Commission · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to expand access to the arts and foster creativity for all South Carolinians.	Not published	Up to $8K
Arts and Culture Nonprofits: Creative Communities San Diego Grant Program City of San Diego · State Not published · $5K The Creative Communities San Diego Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations in delivering impactful arts and culture projects that engage diverse communities.	Not published	$5K
Charlotte Cushman Foundation Grant Charlotte Cushman Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $3K The Charlotte Cushman Foundation Grant supports qualified non-profit theaters in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing funding for actors' salaries in specific staged productions.	Not published	$500 – $3K
Professional Arts Producing Institutions (PAPI) Grant City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) · State Not published · Varies The Professional Arts Producing Institutions (PAPI) grant, offered by the City of Gainesville, aims to support cultural organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria, including a professional status and a minimum operational budget.	Not published	Varies
Bridge Grants The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A grant program offered by the Dramatists Guild Foundation. Specific details limited in provided materials.	Not published	Varies
McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Grant Cowles Center · Foundation Not published · $25K The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers offer three annual fellowships of $25,000 each to Minnesota dancers, supporting their artistic growth and exploration.	Not published	$25K
Japan Virtual Exchange Program Asian Cultural Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This program emerged to support arts organizations in facilitating international exchange through virtual platforms, particularly relevant during periods of travel restrictions.	Not published	Varies
Betty Lu Lenthe Speech Education Grant North Dakota United Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K The Betty Lu Lenthe Speech Education Grant, offered by the North Dakota United Foundation, supports individuals and groups in enhancing their speech, debate, and drama activities.	Not published	$1K
The Morgan Fund Grant Seattle Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Morgan Fund (a Donor Advised Fund held at the Seattle Foundation) was established in 2004 to support performing arts organizations. It exists for one reason: to promote better art.	Not published	Varies
Edward A. and Shirley B. Livi Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K Easily learn more about the Edward A. and Shirley B. The next deadline for this grant is Tue, 02 Mar 2027. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships.	Not published	Up to $3K
Special Events and Community Arts Program - Community Arts for individual Artists and Artistic groups Grant City of Naperville, Illinois · State Not published · $50K The City of Naperville's Special Events and Community Arts Program supports individual artists and artistic groups by providing funding for social and artistic events that celebrate the community's diversity and heritage.	Not published	$50K
Artists Respond Grant (CT) Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development · Foundation Not published · $3K The Artists Respond Grant (CT) supports Connecticut artists in executing community-based projects, from large events to intimate gatherings.	Not published	$3K

Showing 457–480 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 24, 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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