Purpose
The Ensemble Theatre Program provides artistic program grants for ensemble theatre companies of national significance, and supports a re-granting program for creation and touring projects that build collaborations among ensemble theatre companies, arts presenters and theatres throughout the U.S.
Developed under the Arts Program's prior grant-making strategy, this program is concluding and will not be renewed.
Background
Ensemble theatre companies, which often create experimental, multi-disciplinary and culturally specific work, are under-funded largely because regional theatres receive the majority of public and private funds dedicated to theatre in the U.S. Further, commissions or touring opportunities offered by the presenting community are less often awarded to ensemble theatre companies than to their counterparts in contemporary dance, jazz and chamber music.
However, many of the country’s theatres and presenting institutions are well positioned to support ensemble theatre projects. Since 2000, artists and other professionals from the theatre and presenting fields have gathered for five DDCF-sponsored meetings around the U.S. to explore the issues and challenges of creating and touring theatre, and to discuss ways of increasing partnerships among theatre artists, regional theatres and presenters.
The meetings confirmed a deep interest among both presenters and regional theatres to provide resources and/or performance opportunities to ensemble theatre companies; a demand for non-commercial, experimental, multi-disciplinary theatre work that tours; and the lack of funding for this sector. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation designed the Ensemble Theatre Program to help address these needs.
Leading National Ensemble Theatres Program
Grant Details
In 2006, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation combined their support to award two-year grants ranging from $60,000 to $120,000 to support artistic programs at seven ensemble theatre companies of national significance (press release).
Process
In 2005, a Request for Proposals was issued to 13 ensemble theatre companies identified by the foundations as leaders in the field. A peer-review panel reviewed the applications and made funding recommendations to the two foundations.
Ensemble Theatre Collaborations
Grant and Travel Subsidy Program
Grant Details
Administered by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, this re-granting program supports collaborations among ensemble theatre companies, arts presenters and theatres through two types of grants:
- Project & Infrastructure Grants – Between 20 to 25 project grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 each will be awarded over two years (with approximately 10-12 grants awarded in 2005) to ensemble theatre collaborations involving at least one host theatre or arts presenter. Recipients of project grants also may be eligible for infrastructure grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to assist with booking, tour coordination and management.
- Travel Subsidy Grants – Travel subsidy grants of up to $2,000 are available to theatre directors, producers, presenters, managers, artists and agents to see work by ensemble theatre companies who have initiated a dialogue with them about a long-term partnership. In addition, artistic, production, education, publicity or marketing staff at ensemble theatre companies are eligible to receive funds to visit a potential host theatre or arts presenter in order to effectively prepare for an engagement at least 6 to 12 months in advance.
Application Process
To learn more about the program or apply for funding, contact the Association of Performing Arts Presenters at www.artspresenters.org.