Children's theater grants provide funds to organizations, theaters or individuals.
Children's theater is theater written and produced for children's entertainment and to introduce youngsters to the dramatic arts. Organizations and companies offer grants to children's theater companies or involved individuals to fund innovative and/or exceptional project, theaters actors and productions.
Founders Grant
The Children's Theatre Foundation offers the Founders Grant for "Projects of National Significance." The grant can be awarded to organizations or individuals, and focuses on the development of theater opportunities for youth in grades K through 12. Grants are considered up to $5,000. Recipients must include the CTFA logo on all published materials. Applying is a two-part process. First, applicants fill out a "Request to Submit" form by January 15th. Once this application is reviewed and accepted, applicants submit a full grant application by April 15th.
Aurand Harris Grant
The Aurand Harris Grant is offered by the Children's Theatre Organization for non-profit small and medium-sized children's theaters in the United States. Small theaters must be established for at least three years and possess a public record of operating budgets under $250,000. Medium-sized theaters must be established for at least 10 years and possess an annual operating budget between $250,000 and $1 million. The grant covers premieres of new plays, production costs, performance expenses, script and copyright costs and the establishment of a new theater company. The maximum grant awarded is $5,000. Similarly to the Founders Grant, the application for the Aurand Harris Grant requires two steps. First, applicants complete a "Request to Submit" form by January 15th. Once this form is reviewed and accepted, applicants submit a Full Grant application by August 15th.
Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
The National Endowment for the Arts offers grants for Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth in two categories: school-based and community-based. Funding is specifically for projects that help youth acquire more knowledge, awareness of and skills in the arts, including theater. Potential projects must include the sections on experience, study, performance and assessment. The application deadline is June 10th for funding beginning the following year.
