The National Endowment for the Arts offers grants for projects in three different areas. The first category focuses on advancing artistic excellence, preserving cultural heritage and providing all Americans access to art. Organizations can request anywhere from $5,000 to $150,000. The Challenge America-Fast Track grants offer $10,000 for organizations that reach out to underserved populations. The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grant runs from $5,000 to $150,000 and is awarded to organizations advancing arts education in school or community settings. You must choose and apply for the appropriate category, because the endowment does not allow transfer between categories. Application deadlines vary from March to June. For more information, go to arts.gov/grants.
The Theatre Communications Group offers a variety of grants for directors, designers and actors in different stages of their careers, often for specific projects. Application deadlines and requirements vary. Learn more at tcg.org/grants.
Creative Capital awards grants of up to $20,000 for work in the performing and visual arts and other new media. For more information, check creative-capital.org.
The International Centre for Women Playwrights costs $25 a year to join and offers two funding options for members. Professional development grants help members attend conferences and workshops internationally, and the International Women's Day grant funds readings and productions of women's work for International Women's Day. Visit womenplaywrights.org.
The American Theatre Wing fosters new musical theatre projects and backs organizations that support new musical theatre artists. For more information, visit americantheatrewing.org/larsongrants.
The Sundance Institute Theatre Lab offers a three-week workshop for the development of new works. Check sundance.org/theatre.
The United States Institute for Theatre Technology offers various grants and fellowships for work in theatrical design and technology. Check usitt.org/activities for more information.
The Jim Henson Foundation offers grants of $5,000 for new works of puppet theatre, seed grants of $2,000 for projects in the earliest stages of development, and $3,000 grants for children's shows. More information is at hensonfoundation.org.