Shakespeare in American Communities Expands to Support Apprenticeships, Community-Based Theater Engagement

Washington, DC, and Minneapolis, MN—The National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Midwest, is pleased to announce exciting updates to the Shakespeare in American Communities initiative. For more than two decades, the program has brought high-quality theater productions and educational activities inspired by the works of William Shakespeare to communities across the United States. For the 2025-26 cycle, nonprofit theater organizations can also apply for a new apprenticeship program and opportunities for engaging audiences in non-traditional settings. The Intent to Apply deadline is January 30, 2025.

“We are excited to work with our partners at Arts Midwest to expand the longstanding Shakespeare in American Communities initiative as part of the NEA’s continued investment in the future of the theater landscape,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “By supporting both apprenticeships and community-focused theater initiatives, we aim to create equitable opportunities for emerging professionals and foster deeper connections between theater organizations and the communities they serve.”

The Shakespeare in American Communities initiative offers three grant opportunities for eligible nonprofit theater organizations:

• Schools Program: Supports Shakespeare-related performances and educational activities for middle and high school students. New for 2025-2026: Performances and educational activities for students can now take place in community spaces such as libraries, parks, or community centers—broadening the reach of the program beyond traditional school settings. Matching grants range from $15,000 to $25,000. 
• Juvenile Justice Program: Brings Shakespeare-related theater experiences to juvenile justice facilities. Non-matching grants range from $15,000 to $25,000. 
• Apprenticeship Program: (New for 2025-2026) Provides paid apprenticeships for early-career theater professionals in administrative and technical roles. The programming that apprentices support does NOT have to be Shakespeare related. Matching grants range from $20,000-$30,000. 
• New for all grantees in 2025-2026: All will be required to participate in virtual and in-person convenings, which will provide opportunities for program leaders and apprentices to share experiences with the program and learn from one another.

For more information on how to apply for these opportunities, please visit Arts Midwest’s Shakespeare in American Communities page. Curious about which grant opportunity is the best fit for your organization? Take a short eligibility quiz to find out.

About Shakespeare in American Communities

Shakespeare in American Communities is a theater program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Since 2003, Shakespeare in American Communities has supported over 16,000 performances and 60,000 educational activities, engaging more than 4,700 communities across all 50 states. Grants are awarded to nonprofit theater companies and help bring theater to middle and high schools, juvenile justice facilities, and other community spaces.