Funding and Residency Opportunities
- (NEW) Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants: The Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $3,000 to professional dancers facing dire financial emergencies, due to the loss or lack of recent/current live performance work, because of circumstances outside of their control. Deadline: Tuesday, Oct 07, 2025
- (NEW) The Drama League Fellowships: Applications for the 2026 Drama League Directors Project are open. If you’re a stage director developing new projects, the Drama League has expanded Residencies to support you. If you’re looking to work with renowned theater companies, the Fellowships offer opportunities for growth and support. Deadline: There are a couple deadlines for the different programs, December 5, 2025 and January 5, 2026.
- (NEW) Bronx Arts Fund (AF): This fund develops Bronx artists and small arts organizations through its support of high-quality arts projects that engage Bronx audiences in a diverse array of artistic works in all disciplines, genres, and styles. You may apply for grants of up to $5,000 that contribute to the cultural life of the borough. Individual Bronx residents and artist collectives do not need a fiscal sponsor; they may apply directly to this program. Deadline: Friday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM
- (NEW) New Work – Bronx Council: New Work supports individual Bronx-based artists through a commissioning grant in the amount of $3,000 for the creation of a new work in a community setting. Projects must engage a segment of the community through a public program, such as an exhibition or performance that is open to the public, and/or the inclusion of community involvement in the development and creative process of the artist’s project. Deadline: Friday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
- (NEW) 2026 Brooklyn Arts Fund: The Brooklyn Arts Fund is now accepting applications from Brooklyn-based individual artists, collectives, non-profits and 501c3 organizations. Please make sure to show that you can cover at least 10% of your project’s expenses with funds or support from other sources (either cash or in-kind). You may request up to $2,000-$5,000 Deadline: Tuesday, November 07, 2025
- (NEW) 2026 Creative Equations Fund – Performing Arts: For Brooklyn-based performing artists and small performing arts organizations dedicating their creativity to social justice and Cultural Heritage Dance Practitioners or Researchers. Each grantee receives $10,000. Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025
- (NEW) Community Investments (San Francisco): This program supports San Francisco-based artists, arts organizations, and communities with an equity lens through grants, technical assistance, arts education initiatives, and community-based Cultural Centers. Grant Guidelines and Applications for Special Project Grant (SPX), Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG), and Arts Impact Endowment (AIE) Grant categories are now open. Deadlines: October 8, October 22, and November 13, at 12pm PT respectively.
- New England States Touring (NEST) Grant: New England States Touring (NEST) funds public performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations. Organizations engaging rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply. There are two deadlines: Monday, December 1, 2025 and Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Artistic & Craft Based Resources
- (NEW) Jobs in the Arts: Looking for a job in the arts? This free (with RSVP!) online workshop will cover best practices for putting together your application, as well as an inside perspective as to what hiring managers are looking for. Date: October 9, 2025 at 12:00 – 1:30pm ET on Zoom
- Getting Organized About Grants: How to plan ahead so that you can still have time and energy for your art.
- RISE: Representation, Inclusion, & Support for Employment seeks to build a more equitable and inclusive theatre industry by centralizing DEIA tools and resources through a network of partners and a national personnel directory that focuses on folks from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, deaf, and disabled theatre professionals. Join the directory here.
- Tips for Effectively Writing and Talking About Your Work: Whether you’re working in the visual, literary, or performing arts disciplines, being able to speak and write about your work effectively unlocks opportunities. Yet, it can be a difficult and intimidating process to distill everything you do into a few simple words.
- The Dance Workforce Directory: This is a new resource on the DWR Hub to amplify, connect, and help NYC’s dance community thrive. This free and accessible online platform is here to support dance workers, orgs, and businesses across all parts of the sector. Create your profile today!
- The Artist Statement: 5 Do’s and Don’ts: The artist statement. Frequently required in residency applications, project proposals, and grant applications, creating this document can be a pain point for artists who want to get it just right. The goal is to get to the heart of who you are creatively, and how that informs your work.
- Project Expense Budgeting 102: Here, we review a handful of budget adaptations that provide extra levels of information to help you communicate the “What” and “Why” of project costs to your reader.
Artist Well-Being Resources
- (NEW) Personal Branding For Your Job Search: Today’s employment climate is more competitive than ever, and there are many people competing for the best jobs available. As a result, the first step to a successful job search is to effectively communicate your talent and skillset to hiring managers. During this workshop, you will start to set yourself apart from the rest of the competition by clarifying and beginning to craft your personal brand. Date: October 1, 2025 at 12:30pm ET
- (NEW) Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program: This free NYC-based program provides foreign-born emerging artists with 1-on-1 career support, community, and exposure for their work. Deadline: Monday, October 13 at 11:59 pm ET
- Immigrants and Undocumented Individuals: IndieSpace has a curated list of resources to help assist on subjects such as work and visas, healthcare, education, immigrant rights, and services for those facing deportation.
- The Mary Mason Memorial Lemonade Fund: A confidential resource for theatre practitioners with critical illnesses, conditions, or injuries who are in need of supplemental financial assistance. Any resident of the San Francisco Bay Area who has been an active participant in the theatre community in at least two of the past five years and is currently living with a critical illness, condition, or injury is eligible to apply for the program. Applicants can request $250, $500, or $1000. Rolling deadline.
- Immigrant Artist Resources: A hub where immigrant artists can access resources, exchange ideas, collaborate, and amplify their voices in the American cultural landscape.
- The Emergency Aid & Relief Program (EARP): The Episcopal Actors’ Guild’s programs and services focus on sustaining and supporting the careers of working performers. We help bridge those inevitable gaps that happen in performing arts careers and get people back on stage and performing. While we have many aid programs, the process begins with the Emergency Aid & Relief Program (EARP). Deadline: March 30, 2026
- Social Services and Emergency Financial Assistance:Entertainment Community Fund offers free and confidential social service programs addressing a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment. Emergency financial assistance is available for people who are unable to pay their immediate basic living expenses (housing, food, utility bills or health care). Rolling Deadline
- Mental Health Micro Grants: Indie Theater Fund has opened an Emergency Mental Health fund that will be awarding individuals $500 micro grants for indie theater makers to use toward therapy, medication, meditation classes, and any other mental health related costs. It is our hope that by providing this financial resource. Rolling Deadline
- The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts: Are you an entertainment professional in New York City in search of primary or specialty medical care? The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts in Times Square has services designed to meet your unique needs.
Low-cost Artist Resources
- Same Day Rehearsal Rentals: The Balance Arts Center is offering same day rehearsal rentals at a discounted rate. This offer is first come, first serve. The BAC cannot guarantee a rehearsal space until confirmed. This offering is for rehearsals only. Rates: Room 12: $18/hour, Room 9: $19/hour, Room 5: $22/hour, Room 1: $25/hour, The Karl Kemp: $45/hour, The Walter: $55/hour. Rental hours are 8am-10pm at the Balance Arts Center located at 151 W 30th Street in Midtown, Manhattan.
- New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program: Administered by Dance/NYC and made possible by the Mellon Foundation, the purpose of the program is to make affordable rehearsal space available to dance makers in all boroughs who are in critical need of space for the creation and development of their work, while also fostering a more inclusive and just dance field. Rates range: $5-$10 per hour.
Health, Housing and Food Assistance, & Emergency Response Resources
- (NEW) Applying for Affordable Housing in Chicago: You’re invited to attend an affordable housing workshop from the Entertainment Community Fund! This free and informative workshop is designed for the performing arts and entertainment community. This workshop will help you better understand what constitutes affordable housing, how it works and how to help you get prepared to search and apply. Date: September 30, 2025
- Community Resources for Immigrant Nyers: New York Immigration Coalition has this NYS Community Toolkit is an all-in-one resource guide for community members, partners, and allies.
- Community Food Connection Program: A map of NYC-funded food pantries and community kitchens. You can also dial 311 and ask an agent to help you find a Community Food Connection location near you.
- Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.
- Thrive NYC : A guide to New York City mental health initiatives and resources.
- Chicago Mental Health Services: A guide for mental health resources to insured and uninsured Chicago residents.
- California Mental Health Resources: A guide for mental health resources in California.
- HPD’s Housing Information Classes: Learn from experts about NYC government and all about the housing resources you can access for free. From pest removal to responding to violations to navigating Housing Court. Our classes are taught by the housing experts that renters and homeowners need to work with. See full list and register for classes here.
