Last updated June 16, 2026
There are currently 176 active grants for theater in Grantable's free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily.
Grants for theater support new play development, productions, touring, education programs, and operating costs for nonprofit companies. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funds theater and musical theater through its Grants for Arts Projects program, and state and regional arts agencies distribute both NEA and state dollars to local companies. Private foundations and national service organizations add project, fellowship, and capacity-building support across the field.
ACC China/Hong Kong/Macau Program Program Type: Individual fellowships and project grants Geographic Scope: China, Hong Kong, and Macau Focus Areas: - Visual Art - Curation - Theater and Performance…
Adam Schulman Memorial Scholarship Fund Purpose: Honor the memory of LACHSA alumnus Adam Schulman Established By: Adam Schulman's family and their friends Eligibility: Graduating seniors in the…
AE Foundation: Theatre Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Actors' Equity Foundation Amount: US $250 - US $1,000 Last Updated: October 13, 2025 Summary The Actors' Equity Foundation, established in 1962, is…
American Society for Theatre Research ( ASTR) David Keller Travel Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Society for Theatre Research Amount: Up to US $800 Last Updated: June 02, 2025 Summary The…
American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) Sally Banes Publication Prize Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Society for Theatre Research Amount: US $500 Last Updated: March 05, 2026 Summary The…
Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Amount: Up to US $2,000 Last Updated: September 10, 2025 Summary The Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Grant supports emerging…
Arrow Street Arts Fund Funder: Cambridge Community Foundation Geographic Scope: Cambridge, MA Overview: Fund supporting local performing arts organizations. Introduced in January 2023 and awards…
Arthur Miller Foundation Fellows Program (Connecticut) Status: Active Geographic Scope: Connecticut Program Duration: Three-year program for each Fellow cohort Partnership: Connecticut Public Schools…
Arthur Miller Foundation Fellows Program (NYC) Status: Active Geographic Scope: New York City (all 5 boroughs) Program Duration: Three-year program for each Fellow cohort Partnership: New York City…
Arthur Miller Foundation Scholars Program Status: Active Geographic Scope: New York City Program Duration: Three-year program Partnership: The City College of New York Goal: Diversify and increase…
Artist Fellowships Overview: Recognizes artistic excellence and honors the work of seasoned artists, advances the work of mid-career artists, and nurtures the work of developing artists. Geographic…
Artist Support Grants Overview: Direct funds for individual artists' projects, needs, and creative opportunities in all artistic disciplines. Encourages creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and…
Arts & Culture – Small Arts Grants- Non-Profit Organizations Status: ACTIVE Funder: Fleishhacker Foundation Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: November 30, 2025 Summary The Fleishhacker…
Arts Alive Awards Purpose: Summit Artspace's Arts Alive Awards celebrate and recognize contributions to local arts and culture, honoring gifted artists, art educators, and change-making advocates and…
Arts Alive Community Night Program Type: Community access program providing discounted/free theatre tickets Focus: Provides theatre access to underserved community groups including at-risk youth,…
Arts and Culture- Robert and Doreen Marshall Fund for Dramatic Arts and Classical Music Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Orange County Community Foundation Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Summary The…
Arts Leadership Residency Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Theatre Bay Area Amount: US $12,000 Last Updated: March 21, 2026 Summary The Arts Leadership Residency, offered by Theatre Bay Area, provides a…
Arts Vibrancy Endowment’s- Individual Artist Award Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Juneau Community Foundation Amount: US $2,500 - US $5,000 Last Updated: July 05, 2025 Summary The Arts Vibrancy…
ASTR Co-Sponsored Events Awards Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Society for Theatre Research Amount: Up to US $500 Last Updated: March 29, 2025 Summary The ASTR Co-Sponsored Events Awards aim…
ASTR Collaborative Research Award Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Society for Theatre Research Amount: US $1,750 Last Updated: June 02, 2025 Summary The ASTR Collaborative Research Award aims…
Theater companies can seek funding for productions, commissions and new play development, touring, arts education, and general operating support. The NEA's Grants for Arts Projects funds theater and musical theater projects, and state and regional arts agencies offer their own production, project, and operating grants. Many private foundations and theater service organizations also support residencies, fellowships, and new work.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the leading federal funder of theater, working alongside state arts councils and regional arts organizations that re-grant federal and state funds. Private foundations and corporate giving programs support new work, equity initiatives, and capacity building, and local community foundations frequently fund neighborhood and youth theater programs.
Most theater grants, including the NEA's Grants for Arts Projects, are awarded to nonprofit organizations rather than individuals. Individual playwrights, directors, and actors can often access support through fellowships, awards, and commissions offered by service organizations and private foundations, or by partnering with a nonprofit theater or using a fiscal sponsor to receive organizational grants.