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Grants for Composers

It can be difficult to earn a living as a composer in the United States. Fortunately, a number of grant programs offer composers commissions to make new work. Certain foundations also pay the salary of a composer-in-residence at an orchestra or request compositions in the musical style of a particular religious tradition. These kinds of grants can be essential to composers looking for the time and resources to pursue their work.

  1. Barlow Endowment for Composition

    • Founded in 1983 and administered by Brigham Young University, the Barlow Endowment for Composition supports new music by commissioning composers to write both general composition pieces and pieces written specifically for the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). In addition to its regular commissions, the foundation offers an annual Barlow Prize, which funds a new composition for specific instruments. In 2010, the Barlow Prize offers $12,000 for a piano trio to be performed in 2012. Composers applying for general and LDS commissions must draft their own project descriptions and determine funding amounts. Composers cannot apply for general and LDS commissions in the same year. Composers applying for LDS commissions must be members of the LDS or willing to take on LDS subject matter. All 2010 grant applications are due June 1.

      Barlow Endowment for Music Composition
      A-501 Harris Fine Arts Center
      Brigham Young University
      Provo, UT 84602
      1-(801) 422-2818
      mckinley.byu.edu/barlow

    Guggenheim Foundation

    • The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation gives fellowships "intended for men and women who have already demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Creative arts includes music composition. Applicants must submit not more than three samples of recent full-length works, as well as a curriculum vitae and a description of the work to be completed during the fellowship period. Awards vary by project; in 2008 the average amount of a grant was $42,300. Fellowships are paid out in 6- to 12-month increments. The annual application deadline for fellows in the United States and Canade is September 15.

      John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
      90 Park Avenue
      New York, NY 10016
      212.687.4470
      gf.org

    Meet the Composer

    • Meet the Composer supports "the creation of new musical work and the engagement of new work with people and communities throughout the United States." Under this umbrella, the organization provides funding for composers in a variety of areas, including composer-in-residence positions at orchestras and, commissions and Van Lier Fellowships for African-American and Latino composers. Commissions are generally made in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. The next round of applications for commissions is due March 8. Due dates for other programs may vary.

      Meet The Composer, Inc.
      90 John Street, Suite 312
      New York, NY 10038
      (212) 645-6949
      meetthecomposer.org

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