National Endowment for the Arts  
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THEATER

The National Endowment for the Arts supports American theater by funding the work of theater companies of all sizes, genres, and aesthetics. Supported projects reflect the entire spectrum of the not-for-profit theater field including the production or presentation of traditional or classical repertoire, new plays, work for young audiences, experimental work, community-based work, circus arts, and puppetry. Theater projects funded by the Arts Endowment support organizations and artists in the creation and refinement of work, the public presentation of plays from all cultures and periods, and opportunities for professional development.

Two tramp characters in the moonlight   Three generations of an African American family seated together and around the living room couch

Waiting for Godot at Boise Contemporary Theatre, 2003. Photo by Andy Lawless

  

A Raisin in the Sun by Arizona Theatre Company, the Cleveland Play House, and Penumbra Theatre Company. Photo by Tim Fuller


Funding Opportunities in Theater

Grants for Arts Projects
CFDA No. 45.024

The National Endowment for the Arts' primary funding opportunities for organizations can be found here. An organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2011 Grants for Arts Projects categories (see "Application Limits" for the few exceptions to this rule). For most organizations, these categories represent the full range of funding options for the entire year. Applicants should examine the goal and purposes of their project as well as the review criteria of these three categories, and apply to the one category that is most relevant. The Arts Endowment will not transfer applications between categories.

  • Access to Artistic Excellence: To encourage and support artistic excellence, preserve our cultural heritage, and provide access to the arts for all Americans. An organization may request a grant amount from $5,000 to $150,000. (Deadlines: March 11 and August 12, 2010)
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  • Challenge America Fast-Track: To support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. (Deadline: May 27, 2010)
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  • Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth: To advance arts education for children and youth in school-based or community-based settings. An organization may request a grant amount from $5,000 to $150,000. (Deadline: June 10, 2010)
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The NEA Mayors' Institute on City Design 25th Anniversary Initiative
CFDA No. 45.024

Since 1986, the Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD) has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities. To build on the momentum created by the MICD over its history, a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, will be made to showcase and celebrate the goals of the MICD during its anniversary in 2011. (Deadlines: Statement of Interest Deadline: March 15, 2010; Invitation to Apply Issued: April 8, 2010; Formal Application Deadline: May 10, 2010)

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Save America's Treasures
CFDA No. 15.929

Grants for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and nationally significant historic structures and sites. (Receipt deadline: May 21, 2010)

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Coming Up Taller

Nominate outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people. (Receipt deadline: January 29, 2010)

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NEA New Play Development Program

To advance the American nonprofit theater's ability to provide meaningful support for new work, the program will provide financial support for playwrights and institutions developing outstanding new American plays, advance the field's ability to support the development process for new work, and disseminate information on effective models for developing outstanding new American plays. (Deadlines: Intent to Apply, December 18, 2009; Application Deadline, January 29, 2010)

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Coming Up Taller

Nominate outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people. (Receipt deadline: January 29, 2010)

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The Arts on Radio and Television
CFDA No. 45.024

Supports projects for radio and television arts programs that are intended for national broadcast. Grants generally range from $20,000 to $200,000. (Deadline: September 3, 2009)

Note: The link below goes to the expired guidelines for information purposes only. The next deadline will be September 2, 2010; new guidelines will be posted late May/early June.

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Lifecycle of an Application
Guidelines available: Application guidelines are made available on the Arts Endowment's Web site and through Grants.gov
Application submitted: Applications that meet the deadline are assigned an application number. Applicant receives acknowledgment of application receipt. Applications are forwarded to Program staff
Staff review: Staff reviews applications for completeness and eligibility and may contact an applicant for clarification and additional information. Application materials are sent to panelists several weeks before the panel meeting. Work samples may be distributed in advance or may be held for review at the panel
Panel review: The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. Fast-Track Review Grants receive an expedited review. Following panel and staff review, recommendations are forwarded to the Chairman
National Council-Chairman Review: The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. Fast-Track Review Grants receive an expedited review. Following panel and staff review, recommendations are forwarded to the Chairman who makes the final decision on all grant awards.
Notification: A letter is sent to applicants not recommended for funding. Applicants recommended may be contacted first for revisions to the project. Fast-Track Grant applicants will receive a preliminary letter of notification. Grantees later receive an official grant award notification with information about legal and reporting requirements
 

 

      
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