Grants for Theater

Last updated October 24, 2026

Grantable tracks 173 active grants for theater in its free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 2 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 100 list an award amount, with a median of $6,250.

Grants tracked: 173; from 105 funders
Median award: $6,250; middle half $2,875–$20K
Total listed funding: $1.6M; across 100 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 4; 4 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Paul Green Foundation Grant The Paul Green Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $3K The Paul Green Foundation, established in 1982, continues the legacy of playwright Paul Green by supporting North Carolina 501(c)(3) organizations.	Not published	$500 – $3K
Fox Theatre Grant Program - Single-Year Grants Fox Theatre Inc F/K/a Atlanta Landmarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Fox Theatre Grant Program, through Fox Gives, supports the preservation and revitalization of historic theaters across Georgia, ensuring these cultural landmarks continue to enrich their communities.	Not published	Varies
Megan Boone Grants for Performing Arts Marion Cultural Alliance Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $7K Actress and Director Megan Boone was raised in The Villages and graduated from Belleview High School in 2001.	Not published	$3K – $7K
Delray Beach Playhouse Ernest G. Simon Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Delray Beach Playhouse Ernest G. The next deadline for this grant is Thu, 04 Mar 2027.	Not published	Varies
CWC Scholarship Program Chautauqua Women's Club Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Chautauqua Women's Club provides scholarships to support exceptional students in dance, music, piano, theater, voice, and visual arts attending Chautauqua Institution's Schools of Performing and Visual Arts.	Not published	Varies
Venturous Capital Grants Venturous Theater Fund · Foundation Not published · $5K – $35K The Venturous Capital Grants aim to empower small and medium-sized not-for-profit theaters to produce bold and experimental new plays. Grants range from $5,000 to $35,000, covering extraordinary costs that enable productions to thrive.	Not published	$5K – $35K
Cleveland Arts Prize Assembly for the Arts · Foundation Not published · $10K	Not published	$10K
South Arts Presentation Grants South Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: This grant program is currently on pause.	Not published	Varies
ComEd Powering the Arts Program Grant League Of Chicago Theatres · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The League of Chicago Theatres was founded in 1979 by a small group of theaters formerly known as the Off Loop Producers Association.	Not published	Up to $20K
DGF National Fellows Program The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A nine-month intensive program designed to augment the training of American writers early in their careers and enhance community among playwrights and musical theater writers.	Not published	Varies
Arts Vibrancy Endowment’s- Individual Artist Award Grant Juneau Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $5K The Arts Vibrancy Endowment’s Individual Artist Award supports artists residing in Juneau by funding specific short-term projects that enhance their creative work.	Not published	$3K – $5K
AE Foundation: Theatre Grant Actors' Equity Foundation · Foundation Not published · $250 – $1K The Actors' Equity Foundation, established in 1962, is dedicated to supporting the professional theatre community through grants.	Not published	$250 – $1K
SCAC: Emerging Artist Grants South Carolina Arts Commission · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The SCAC Emerging Artist Grants aim to support emerging artists in South Carolina through funding of up to $1,800, along with mentorship and professional development.	Not published	Up to $2K
The Little Venue That Could Grant Program Indiespace Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K – $20K	Not published	$10K – $20K
DGF: Legacy Project The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A program supporting theater writers and preserving theatrical legacy. Specific details limited in provided materials.	Not published	Varies
Fox Theatre Grant Program - Multiyear Grants Fox Theatre Inc F/K/a Atlanta Landmarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Fox Theatre Grant Program, through Fox Gives, supports the preservation and revitalization of historic theaters across Georgia, ensuring these cultural landmarks continue to enrich their communities.	Not published	Varies
Community Grants (CG) Program Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs · Foundation Not published · $8K – $15K The Community Grants (CG) Program, offered by the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, supports nonprofit organizations in developing community-based cultural programs, including various artistic disciplines.	Not published	$8K – $15K
PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award Grant Pen American Center Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K The PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award recognizes an American playwright in mid-career with a $10,000 cash prize.	Not published	$10K
Ellsworth Kelly Award Foundation for Contemporary Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · $45K Named award supporting contemporary artists across disciplines.	Not published	$45K
Historic Theatre Revitalization Subgrant Program Idaho Heritage Trust Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Varies A specialized historic preservation program dedicated specifically to the revitalization and restoration of historic theatres throughout Idaho.	Not published	Varies
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: Training Scholarships Grant American Theatre Wing Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative: Training Scholarships supports public middle and high school students from historically marginalized populations, providing funding for summer study and after-school training programs in theatre.	Not published	Varies
ASTR Thomas Marshall Graduate Student Awards Grant American Society for Theatre Research · Foundation Not published · Up to $800 The ASTR Thomas Marshall Graduate Student Awards aim to support graduate students researching theatre or performance by assisting with the costs of attending the annual ASTR conference.	Not published	Up to $800
The Gavin Creel Fellowships American Theatre Wing Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies American Theatre Wing's Gavin Creel Fellowships support emerging theatre makers through mentorship, training, networking, and performances. FLAG for detail.	Not published	Varies
CA$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

Showing 49–72 of 173

About grants for theater

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.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow grants for theater 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 theater award?

Of the 173 grants for theater Grantable lists as of October 24, 2026, 100 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $6,250, and the middle half fall between $2,875 and $20K. The largest is $325K. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most grants for theater?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc (13), American Society for Theatre Research (10), American Theatre Wing Inc (8), Theatre Bay Area (6), and Playwrights' Center (5). In all, 105 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are grants for theater due?

Of 173 grants listed, 4 accept applications on a rolling basis, 4 have a published upcoming deadline, 59 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 106 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site.

What grants are available for theater?

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.

Who funds nonprofit theater?

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.

Do I apply as an individual artist or as an organization?

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.

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