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
Grace Kelly Scholarship Princess Grace Foundation - USA · Foundation Not published · $1K – $6K The Grace Kelly Scholarship program assists extraordinary aspiring theater artists at the high school level with financial support and mentorship to develop their craft and enter the professional theater pipeline.	Not published	$1K – $6K
The Saints Arts Grants The Saints · Foundation Not published · Up to $7K The Saints Arts Grants support theater, dance, music, and multi-disciplinary organizations in their artistic endeavors. Grants of up to $6,500 are available for projects taking place from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.	Not published	Up to $7K
Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship Grant Quad Cities Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K The Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship, offered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports students pursuing theater studies.	Not published	Up to $4K
Crisis Relief Grants The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Emergency grants designed to help writers facing financial crises or urgent hardship situations. To provide financial assistance to writers experiencing unexpected hardship	Rolling	Varies
McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships Grant Playwrights' Center · Foundation Not published · $25K The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships, offered by the Playwrights’ Center, support mid-career theater artists residing in Minnesota.	Not published	$25K
Tri-M Foundation: Performing Arts Grant Program Tri-M Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K The Tri-M Foundation's Performing Arts Grant Program aims to support innovative and high-quality performing arts projects by regional non-profit organizations.	Not published	$3K – $10K
Artist Support Grants Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K Direct funds for individual artists' projects, needs, and creative opportunities in all artistic disciplines. Encourages creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustained commitment to artistic work.	Not published	Up to $3K
Shubert Foundation: Arts Related Organizations Grants The Shubert Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Shubert Foundation provides unrestricted grants to not-for-profit professional theatre and dance companies in the U.S. Its focus is on organizations with a proven track record in artistic and administrative excellence.	Not published	Varies
Creative Heights' Grant The Oregon Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $20K – $100K The Creative Heights initiative, funded by The Oregon Community Foundation, aims to enhance Oregon's cultural landscape by supporting innovative arts projects.	Not published	$20K – $100K
Samuels Foundation: Performing Arts Grant The Fan Fox and Leslie R Samuels · Foundation Not published · Varies The Samuels Foundation: Performing Arts Grant supports New York City's not-for-profit performing arts organizations, focusing on high-quality productions in dance, music, opera, and theatre.	Not published	Varies
Artist Fellowships Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission · Foundation Not published · $20K Recognizes artistic excellence and honors the work of seasoned artists, advances the work of mid-career artists, and nurtures the work of developing artists.	Not published	$20K
Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarships Grant Grand Rapids Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. With our partners, the Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to find solutions to pressing issues.	Not published	Varies
American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Grants American Theatre Wing Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies American Theatre Wing National Theatre Company Grants — support regional theatre companies innovating strategies to present the work of living American playwrights. FLAG for detail.	Not published	Varies
Arthur Miller Foundation Scholars Program Arthur Miller Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Arthur Miller Foundation Scholars Program provides scholarship grants for candidates to earn their theater teaching certification.	Not published	Varies
Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant United Institute for Theatre Technology Inc. · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Howard Vincent Kurtz Student Engagement Grant, funded by USITT, supports emerging theater artists with financial assistance up to $1,200 for academic costs.	Not published	Up to $1K
Will Glickman Award Grant Theatre Bay Area · Foundation Not published · $4K The Will Glickman Award, presented by Theatre Bay Area, honors the best new play premiering in the San Francisco Bay Area each year.	Not published	$4K
Founders Project Fulfillment Grant The Children's Theatre Foundation of America · Foundation Not published · $30K The Founders Project Fulfillment Grant, offered by the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA), is dedicated to supporting 501(c)(3) IRS-certified theatres with a strong commitment to artistic excellence for young audiences.	Not published	$30K
SEMAC Individual Artist: Grants for Advancing Artists Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K – $6K The SEMAC Individual Artist Grants support artists in the SEMAC Region by providing financial assistance to foster original artistic work.	Not published	$3K – $6K
Leonard G. McLeod Theatre Scholarship Grant Cumberland Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Leonard G. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 10 Feb 2027.	Not published	Varies
Foo Foo Festival Grant Art Culture and Entertainment Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $100K The Foo Foo Festival is Pensacola's annual 12-day celebration of culturally creative happenings, events and moments in the arts, culture, and entertainment sector.	Not published	Up to $100K
Creative Research Grants Foundation for Contemporary Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K New grant program supporting creative research and development for artists. Funds for creative research and development projects.	Not published	$10K
John Jorgensen Theater Award Scholarship Casper College Foundation · Foundation Not published · $750 An endowed scholarship established to honor John Jorgensen, former longtime president and member of the Casper College Foundation board. The scholarship supports incoming freshman students with demonstrated involvement in theater.	Not published	$750
Performing Artists Directory Grants Kentucky Arts Council · Foundation Not published · Varies The Performing Artists Directory Grants, offered by the Kentucky Arts Council, aim to support professional performing artists in dance, music, theater, and storytelling.	Not published	Varies
Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize Grant American Society for Theatre Research · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize, awarded by the American Society for Theatre Research, honors the best essay published in English in a refereed scholarly journal or edited collection within the field of theater research.	Not published	Up to $500

Showing 121–144 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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