TCG consistently broadens the circle so that many young leaders and artists of color find a place for growth, for opportunity, and for mentorship. The organization has been and continues to be a launching pad. TCG was also the place I found refuge when I began my professional life in the theater.
- Jacob Padrón, artistic director of Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, CT; founder and artistic director, The Sol Project
Since its founding, TCG has awarded over $43 million in grants, subsidies and scholarships to individuals and theatre organizations in partnership with a number of foundations, including The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Hearst Foundations, Howard Gilman Foundation, Walt Disney Imagineering, the William & Eva Fox Foundation, and many others. TCG’s grantmaking and professional development programs help to connect and nurture theatre practitioners at various stages of their career, as well as support theatres working in diverse communities across the country. TCG has a long history of developing and administering programs that speak directly to the needs of the field and that have far-reaching impact on individuals, theatre organizations and communities in the U.S. and abroad.
To receive email updates about current grant programs offered by TCG, including when applications are available, subscribe to TCG Grant Updates. Please send program-related inquiries to Emilya Cachapero, TCG Director of Grantmaking Programs at ecachapero@tcg.org.
Recent programs are listed below in an alphabetical order.
Alan Schneider Director Award
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
Designed to support exceptionally talented mid-career freelance directors whose achievements may not be known widely or recognized nationally, the Alan Schneider Director Award gives $7,500 for travel, research or other activities specifically focused on the development of the recipient's directing craft and career.
This program is funded by the Alan Schneider Memorial Fund.
Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships support actors and their artistic and professional development. Grants are awarded to actors in two areas: Distinguished Achievement grants of $25,000 for actors with a substantial body of work and Exceptional Merit grants of $15,000 plus additional support for student loans. Host theatres receive $7,500 for costs associated with residency.
This long-running program is funded by the William & Eva Fox Foundation.
Freelancers Relief Fund: Theatre Designers
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
TCG and TheFrontOffice (an entertainment development company founded in 2019 by director Wendy C. Goldberg) have partnered to create the Freelancers Relief Fund: Theatre Designers providing a limited number of rapid response grants of $1,000 each for scenic, lighting, costume, sound and projection designers.
This program is supported by donations from theatre practitioners and audience members, including leadership level support from Rockstar Games, John Lee Beatty, Netflix and Aurin Squire.
Rising Leaders of Color
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
Rising Leaders of Color develops and highlights highly talented early-career Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders across the U.S. who are committed to initiating and upholding equitable practices in the theatre field. The program combines practical skills building, professional connections and opportunities to develop empowering relationships, as well as tools and resources to navigate a career in the theatre field as a BIPOC leader.
Funding for Rising Leaders of Color activities is supported in part by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Walt Disney Imagineering.
THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color, developed with an Advisory Circle of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) theatre leaders, provides unrestricted funds for those who have all too often been outside the grantmaking sector’s funding opportunities: Black theatres, Indigenous theatres and Theatres of Color (BITOC). THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color offers 25 RESPOND grants of $10,000 each to address immediate, time-sensitive challenges that prevent ongoing work with their communities; and 20 RECOGNIZE grants of $50,000 each for general operating support of BITOC that demonstrate a deep level of service to their chosen communities, a clear vision guiding their on-going and future work, and the highest potential for the THRIVE! program to positively impact their organization. Each recipient will determine how their funds will be used.
This program is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship
Program Status: Not accepting applications at this time
The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship provides exceptionally talented costume designers who are enrolled in a university or professional training program with the opportunity to supplement their fine arts training in hand drawing and/or painting. The scholarship offers undergraduate and graduate students up to $7,500 to be used towards tuition, registration, and/or supplies.
This program is funded by the Estate of Willa Kim.
Past programs are listed here in an alphabetical order.