Grant Writing: Funding Opportunities for Theatre Educators and Theatre Programs
Grant Writing: Funding Opportunities for Theatre Educators and Theatre Programs
Grant Writing: Funding Opportunities for Theatre Educators and Theatre Programs
By Rylee Vogel
To theater teachers: We know you are balancing a lot. You are teaching students how to act, build sets, operate lights, create costumes, and produce a show. On top of that, you are handling production licensing, managing program budgets, and dealing with cuts to theater education funding.
Grant writing can be a helpful tool to help increase that funding. Fortunately, there are dozens of grant opportunities designed to help educators set their students up for success.
We have complied a guide to help you quickly find grants, learn how to apply, and discover organizations that help support theater students. These funding resources and opportunities can be vital to building a successful program and production.
What is Grant Writing and Why Apply?
Theater grants are investments from an organization, foundation, or government agency. Typically, nonprofits, schools, artists and researchers apply for them as a way to secure funding for a project or program need. Unlike a loan, a grant does not need to be repaid under most circumstances. Grants can be used in school theater programs to help with a myriad of needs:
- It can help purchase essential equipment.
- It can cover licensing and performance rights and materials.
- It can cover students opportunities to see professional productions.
- It can fund after-school programs that would not normally exist.
- And so much more! The possibilities are endless.
Different Types of Theater Education Funding
Much like music education grant funding (101: Grant Writing and 201: Community Foundations), theater educators can obtain grants through three main categories:
- National Arts Organizations
- National Arts Organizations are large public or private funders of broad arts education. Their grants can usually be applied to music, dance, and visual arts as well as theaters. –
- State and Regional Arts Agencies
- State and regional arts agencies exist in nearly every U.S. state. Each typically has a council or commission that covers grants for the performing arts.
- Community Foundations
- Community foundations or local partners connect donors to schools and nonprofits to support projects that impact each region.
Community Foundations Expanded
Community foundations are an incredible resource because they provide local funding for arts initiatives. These awards are often smaller, but they are much easier to obtain. These grants can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand and are typically dedicated to specific projects and goals.
When researching community foundations, search your city or county name followed by “community foundation arts education”. Most foundations allow teachers to apply through their school or PTA for support.
Writing an Application
Linked to this article is a free application template to use. When writing your application, it is important to make sure your application is top-notch. You want to be professional, personable, and thoughtful when expressing your school’s needs. Here are a few tips for that process.
1: Tell your story. Express how theater has transformed your students and your school. Funders love to hear about collaboration and creative expression. Explain how your program is making a difference in students’ lives.
2: Give examples of impact. Include concrete and measurable outcomes that demonstrate the program’s impact. Show things like participation rates, audience sizes, class offerings, or improved academic performance. This helps provide tangible evidence of how the money will be used.
3: Build community or partnerships. Highlight how you will involve the community, parents, local artists, and students. This helps funders see the broader impact of their investment.
4: Plan a sustainable budget. Show specifically how you intend to use the funds. This will demonstrate your commitment to long-term success and adds validity to your application.
5: Start early. Make sure your application is thoroughly edited, reviewed, and ready to go by the time the applications open. Often, grants require a letter of support, so it is important to obtain those in advance. Most grant cycles open once a year and have a firm deadline. A complete, polished, and on-time application shows professionalism and dedication.
You've Got This!
Theatre education teaches so much more than performance and technical skills. It teaches students to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and build empathy. It sets them up for success no matter the career path they go down.
With proper funding, your classroom can grow into a life-changing program that helps students thrive throughout their lives. Exploring grant writing and community funding options can be daunting, but once you take that first step, the possibilities are endless. Best of luck on your funding journey!
Submit the form below to download our free Grant Writing templates kit.
It's Showtime!
We are very excited to launch our “In the Wings” blog at Wenger. Of course, you’ve known Wenger since you stepped foot on the theatre stage or sang your heart out standing on the choral risers. Now as an performing arts professional, you’re molding and guiding performers every day, and we’d love to help. You can subscribe, or follow us on social channels so you never miss a post.
Want more from
In the Wings?
Sign up to receive the latest posts!