National Theatre Company Grants
Recognizing the critical importance of regional theatre to the American theatre ecology and work by living playwrights to the advancement of our art form, this newly relaunched program will focus on helping regional companies innovate new strategies to successfully present the work of living American playwrights.
About the Grant
The American Theatre Wing (ATW) is pleased to relaunch its National Theatre Company Grants program in 2024.
Recognizing the critical importance of regional theatre to the American theatre ecology and work by living playwrights to the advancement of our art form, this newly relaunched program will focus on helping regional companies innovate new strategies to successfully present the work of living American playwrights.
Five grants of $100,000 will be awarded annually to support projects that represent visionary approaches to presenting new work.
Co-productions of world premieres, national not for profit tours of new work, regional or local debuts, fresh approaches to audience development and community outreach around new work, and educational and low-cost ticket initiatives that introduce younger and diverse audiences to new work are all examples of the projects ATW seeks to support with these grants. ATW will also consider the presentation of work by authors who are no longer living, but whose work remains unknown or under-presented in the national theatre canon.
Organizations must demonstrate their capacity to successfully support (or have a plan to support) their project with appropriate staffing and financial resources to further build the program in the future
GOALS
· To uplift and celebrate the central contributions of playwrights in advancing the art form, and to build new audiences for their work;
· To support regional theatre companies in the successful presentation of new work;
· To support and help drive new and innovative models for marketing, ticketing, and presenting new work and building new and sustaining audiences for that work which could serve as models for the whole industry;
· To help the work of under-represented and unknown playwrights find an audience.
Applications are now closed. Please check back later for 2025 grants.
General Criteria
Thank you for your interest in the National Theatre Company Grants. Applications for the 2024 cycle are now closed. General criteria is currently as follows:
· Theatre companies of all budget sizes are welcome to apply.
· Primary Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit theatre based outside NYC. However, partnerships with commercial entities, non-theatre organizations, and NY-based theatre organizations are welcome and encouraged.
· Funded projects must take place during the Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 season. If the recipient(s) follow a calendar year season, funded projects must take place starting January 2026.
· Must demonstrate how projects will significantly advance the goals stated above;
· Must show evidence of consistent, diverse theatrical programming
· Must demonstrate that artists are paid appropriately for their work
· Must legally acquire rights to produce proposed production(s)
· Must submit detailed budget demonstrating what funds will be used for
Contact Us
The American Theatre Wing welcomes your questions, opinions and concerns.
Support the National Theatre Company Grants
The National Theatre Company Grants are made possible through the generosity of our donors.
Your contribution will directly support the regional theatre ecology nationwide and advance the art form by promoting new work from living American playwrights.
Naming opportunities and sponsorship options are available. Please reach out to Emily Elliott at Emily@americantheatrewing.org for more information.
To make a charitable gift, simply click on the button below and select “National Theatre Company Grants” after you enter your name and address, or call us at 212-765-0606.