Performing Arts Grant Program - Dance & Theater

The purpose of the Program is to support the development and presentation of innovative, high-quality performing arts projects by regional non-profit arts organizations.

Award Range

$3,000–$10,000

Project Periods

Maximum of 12 months following the award; at this time, the Program does NOT fund multi-year projects.

Anticipated Number of Awards

5-7 awards per year.

Application Funding Schedule

They accept proposals year-round from eligible arts organizations. To ensure a broad distribution of funds, the Program only awards grants to specific disciplines every other year. In 2025–2026, they are awarding grants in the disciplines of Theatre (plays) and Dance. They are not accepting applications for Music, Opera, Musicals, and Media Arts projects in this cycle.

Applicants should apply for funding for the upcoming year. For example, a proposed dance program in the next round should submit an application sometime between December 1, 2024 and February 15, 2025 for the 2025–2026 project year.

If you have a question about the discipline under which your project falls, please contact Tri-M at info@tri-m.foundation for assistance.

Deadline

The application deadline for projects scheduled from August 2025-July 2026 is Febuary 15, 2025. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.

Award Announcement Date

Award announcements will be made by April 15, 2025.

Requirements

Grant Program Priorities: What We’re Looking For in a Proposal

Proposed projects must comply with the applicant’s established mission and vision, be a featured project in the organization’s season, and demonstrate detailed planning. They want to see projects that encourage artists to produce their best work, enthrall audiences, and provoke important discussions.

Ideal projects for this grant take a unique regional perspective and address a location’s culture, history, aesthetic, or character. They have a bias for new works and bold choices. Reimagined classics are welcome, but they should convey something new that provides deep insight into the work, the contemporary moment in which it is presented, or, ideally, both.

They invite organizations to submit proposals for projects that address sensitive topics, controversial politics, and uncomfortable subjects. They do not support propaganda or myopic and intentionally misleading representations of history, populations, peoples, or cultures. Grantees must make their programs open and accessible to all members of the public, regardless of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual preference, or gender expression.

Eligible Organizations

They focus on organizations with a primary mission of creating live arts events for public presentation. Three general categories of arts organizations are eligible for funding under the Program:

Small to medium size non-profit arts organizations that possess an active 501©(3) designation, have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years, and have an annual operating budget of under $1,000,000

Non-profit umbrella arts organizations that produce performing arts festivals and propose to fund the participation of individual artists or arts organizations that have not obtained 501©(3) status (operating budget limitations do not apply), or

Individual artists or small arts organizations that have not obtained 501©(3) status who identify a non-profit umbrella arts organizations with an active 501©(3) that has agreed to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the project; a memorandum of understanding between the fiscal sponsor and the applicant or a formal letter sanctioning the project must be submitted with the application. Note that the 2-year minimum work history limitation does not apply for the applicant but does apply for the fiscal sponsor. Grants awarded under this category are made to the sponsoring organization.

Due to the demand for grant funding, it is unlikely that they will fund a grantee more than once through the grant program.

Eligible Grant Activities

Grant funds may be used for the following activities:

• Development and presentation of new works
• Development and presentation of new performing arts mediums
• Regional premieres of new works
• Presentation of works for new audiences
• Performances related to performing arts research (e.g. producing and performing ancient music with reconstructed authentic instruments)
• Touring/traveling/housing expenses for artists and performing arts technicians
• Travel expenses for artists and technicians to attend and present works at arts festivals
• Scenic and properties design and construction
• Project-specific marketing expenses

Award Limitations

At this time, they are not funding projects by academic organizations or those that are principally oriented toward ‘youth’ theatre. Proposals for funding multi-project festivals or performing seasons are discouraged.

Additionally, grant funds may NOT be used to support the following activities:

• General operating support for the organization
• Grants to individuals – unless an established non-profit arts organization with an active 501©(3) designation serves as their fiscal sponsor
• Projects by organizations domiciled outside the U.S., or projects and performances presented outside the U.S.
• Projects that rely on volunteer labor from artists (all artists/technicians involved in the project must be compensated with at least a $200 stipend, if not compensated at a professional level)
• Travel for attendance at academic or professional conferences
• Projects that will not receive at least two public performances or presentations
• Political demonstrations or protests (dramatic or musical works about protests or that were developed during historical protests are acceptable)
• Projects intended to influence legislation or to support candidates for political office
• Projects intended for religious or doctrinal purposes
• Activities that violate local, state, or federal law

If you have a question about whether your organization or proposed project falls within the various criteria noted in the above sections, please contact Tri-M at info@tri-m.foundation for assistance.

Project Evaluation and Reporting

All grantees will be required to submit a final project report, due 90 days following the completion of their projects. They ask that grantees provide information about the final budget, total actual ticket sales versus projected, total attendance, number of performances or presentations, and any other predetermined measures. They will provide the necessary report forms. Failure to meet reporting requirements may disqualify applicants from future funding.

Media Sharing and Publicity Requirements

To receive an award, an organization must agree to share with Tri-M videos, images, graphics, recordings, and publications of the project or produced for the project. A media sharing agreement form will be provided. They request these materials to maintain records of funded projects and to provide limited marketing support by posting shared media on their website and social media accounts. Applicants and grantees will retain all rights to media and marketing materials.

Grantees will be required to acknowledge Tri-M in all publications regarding the project and all general publications for the year in which the organization was funded. The content of the acknowledgment will adhere to industry standards, though the exact wording will be decided during the initial meeting following the award announcement. Additionally, if the grant award supports the creation of a new work, Tri-M requests to be credited in any publication of said work.

Application Instructions

Application Instructions

Applicants must prepare and submit a complete grant proposal via the Grant Application page on the website.

Due to the number of applications received, they are unable to provide feedback on an application’s merits or Tri-M’s funding decisions.