WAM Coalition, LPTW, and WomenArts Theatre Funding News - July 2013

WAM Coalition, LPTW, and WomenArts

Theatre Funding News – July 2013

Playwright Festivals/Calls For Entries

Occupy the Empty Space (August 16) is creating and presenting an arts festival as a benefit for the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space at 155 Avenue C, between East 9thand East 10th NYC.   Looking for performance poetry, performance art, live music, and short plays, monologues, or dance pieces (all plays must be under ten minutes tops, all dance, poetry, performance art, and live music need be under seven minutes) that relates to the theme of public space: reclaiming it, losing it, fighting for it, and defining it.   We are limited in terms of our artist line – up – due to space regulations, we can’t have more than ten performers, and music must be acoustic. We are still encouraging as many people and artists to apply, however, because we do many events and love adding new artists and projects to our wide empty space family. Please submit; if not this project, we may have space for you for another.  If you are a musician, dancer, performance artist, or performance poet, please submit a video of you performing by email to both Kate – owsvoices@gmail.com and Sarah – sarahmelissaduncan@gmail.com.  If you are a playwright, please submit your play to the above emails as well.  Please put in the subject line Playwright, Dancer, Performance Artist, Poet, or Musician to help us sort the submissions.  Please include a brief greeting with your submission, telling us about yourself.  Please do not submit more than one piece without first checking with us. Submissions accepted through July 15th, 2013.

Global Age Project at Aurora Theatre (February, 2014, Berkeley, CA) – Seeking plays that celebrate fresh, forward-looking visions of global significance for a festival of staged readings. The Global Age Project is a discovery and developmental vehicle established to encourage playwrights to address life in the 21st century and beyond. Seeking forward-thinking unproduced work from both established and emerging playwrights, the festival celebrates the diversity of perspectives, styles, voices, concerns, and stories that make up the world today and provides a development opportunity for plays that directly respond to our complicated present and our possible future  1 submission per playwright. Plays may be any length and any style; experimentation with innovative forms is encouraged. Subject matter should deal with the changing state of human relationships in this new century; historical plays set before the year 2000 will not be considered. Playwrights must be located in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Plays must be in English; no translations. NOTE: E-mail submissions only; submit through website.FEE: $20. GAP, Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley, CA 94704,  http://www.auroratheatre.org/gap.php.Deadline: July 31, 2013

Little Fish Theatre Pick of the Vine Short Play Production (January-February, 2014, San Pedro, CA) – Seeking short scripts (15 minutes maximum) that require no more than 10 actors and have minimal set requirements. Only one submission per playwright. Submit script in .doc or .pdf format with a cover sheet containing author name and contact information in one document. There will be a $50 flat fee royalty payment to playwrights per play produced. NOTE: Electronic submissions only. NO FEE. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro, CA 90731,holly@littlefishtheatre.org, www.littlefishtheatre.org/.Deadline: August 1, 2013

Congo Square Theatre Company is an ensemble dedicated to producing definitive and transformative theatre spawned from the African Diaspora as well as from other world cultures. Congo Square Theatre Company seeks to establish itself as an institution of multicultural theatre.​  Interested in full-length plays, translations, adaptations, musicals and performance art. Will consider productions of previously produced plays.​  Plays may be submitted through a literary agent or accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a theater professional (i.e. an artistic director or literary manager at a professional theater). If neither applies, write a letter of inquiry including a brief synopsis, cast list, relevant production history, and 10-15 pages of sample dialogue. The company may then request a complete script.  ​Congo Square Theatre Company, Attn: Daniel Bryant, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60657​.  NO FEE.  Deadline:  August 1, 2013.  No email submissions.

Kennedy Center Education Department presents New Visions/New Voices 2014, a Biennial Developmental Workshop for New Plays and Musicals (May 16-18, 2014, Washington, DC).  U.S. Applications are now being accepted online for participation in New Visions/New Voices 2014, a biennial developmental workshop for new plays and musicals for young audiences at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  At least five U.S. plays, one international play in English, and one ‘translation project’ play will be workshopped.  Applications for consideration must come from a theater that plans to produce the work in development, and must include both a playwright and a director who would be available to work on the unproduced play from May 12-18, 2014 in Washington, DC.  Please note that for the first time, the application is online. It can be found at http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/nvnv.html.  NO FEE.  Deadline:  August 2, 2013.   If you have questions, please email kctya@kennedy-center.org or visitwww.kennedy-center.org/education/nvnv.html.

The Yale Drama Series (New Haven, CT) – Seeking original, unpublished, full-length plays written in English. No translations, musicals, or children’s plays. The winner will receive the David C. Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of the manuscript by Yale University Press, and a staged reading at Lincoln Center Theater. The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please enter the title of your play, your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography (optional) where indicated in the electronic submission form.  Plays should be typed and page-numbered and should follow professional play format. Do not bind or staple manuscripts. Only one submission per playwright per year. NOTE: See website for instructions for electronic submissions, which are preferred. NO FEE. Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040, yaledramaseries@yale.edu,yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/drama.asp. Deadline: August 15, 2013

The Women’s Theatre Project of Fort Lauderdale (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Seeking short plays (5-12 minutes-figure one minute a page); written by women only, and with a lesbian theme; cast limit (women and men) is 2-8 for Girl Play, their Fifth Lesbian Short Play Reading Series.

The staged readings will take place in June 2014 at the GLCC of Wilton Manors, FL.  14-16 scripts will be selected and presented in two programs, Friday and Saturday night.  Audiences will vote on their favorite scripts and the “Best of the Fest” will be presented again at the Sunday matinee.

Limited submission:  No more than 2 scripts per playwright. Submit scripts in PDF format and pages numbered to: girlplaytwtp@yahoo.com with Lesbian Playwriting Festival 2014written in subject line. Scripts must be received by midnight (EST) on March 31, 2014.

Ongoing Festivals/Calls For Entries

NOTE: For more ongoing opportunities, visit our Ongoing Calls For Plays page.

The Good Ear Review – Dedicated to publishing monologues that share a moment in time with the reader (and eventually, the audience). Seeking original monologues in all genres from established and emerging playwrights from across the globe to post on website. Playwrights may submit up to 3 monologues of 600-1000 words each. Monologues must be submitted electronically in the body of an e-mail; no attachments. Include setting, time, character, and any necessary set-up. Include a writer’s bio (do not exceed 60 words).  There is no fee or pay. submit@thegoodearreview.com,thegoodearreview.com/submission-guidelines/.

Funding Opportunities

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Arts Program / National Projects Fund – Awards grants ranging from $60,000-$200,000 to nonprofit organizations and consortia in support of key national projects in the dance, jazz, presenting, and/or theatre fields. Grant cannot exceed 40% of project’s total cost.  National projects are defined as engaging a broad national constituency, occurring once (or periodically) rather than annually, and having potential to significantly impact a field. Pilot programs that aspire to be a national model are not eligible to apply, nor are national dance, jazz, or theatre commissions, productions, or tours. Application begins with a Letter of Inquiry that must be submitted through the website. Arts Program – Fund for National Projects, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, 650 Fifth Ave., 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019,www.ddcf.org/Programs/Arts/Initiatives–Strategies/National-Sector-Building/Fund-for-National-Projects/. Deadline: February 28, 2014 (LOI)

Alliance for California Traditional Arts Grant Programs – Three programs to support folk and traditional arts, defined as art forms that are learned as part of the cultural life of a group of people whose members share a common heritage, language, religion, occupation, or region:

Apprenticeship Program – Encourages the continuation of the state’s traditional arts and cultures by contracting master artists to offer intensive, one-on-one training to qualified apprentices. A master artist is someone who is recognized as an exemplary practitioner of a traditional art form by his or her community and peers. Prospective apprentices should demonstrate investment and developed skill in the specific art form they wish to continue learning. Master artist and apprentice must apply together. Each $3,000 contract will support a 6-12-month period of concentrated learning. Contact: Russell Rodriguez, Program Manager, T: (415) 269-0026, rrodriguez@actaonline.org,http://www.actaonline.org/content/apprenticeship-program.Deadline: July 15, 2013

Living Cultures Grants Program – Funds nonprofit organizations and organizations working with fiscal sponsors to support exemplary projects in the traditional arts in California. Eligible projects include public presentations; workshops and gatherings; equipment and materials purchases; conservation, creation or acquisition of traditional arts items; intergenerational classes or educational programs within a community; documentation of traditional arts, skills, ceremonies, beliefs, or performances; media, web, and print publications; professional and leadership development; and endangered language acquisition projects when carried out within the context of traditional art forms. Preference will be given to organizations with budgets under $1 million. Awards are generally limited to $5,000; a small number of grants of up to $7,500 may be awarded to projects that demonstrate significant impact on a particular cultural tradition. Contact: Lily Kharrazi, Program Manager, T: (415) 346-5200,lilyk@actaonline.org,http://www.actaonline.org/content/living-cultures-grants-program. Deadline: July 15, 2013

Traditional Arts Development Program – Contracts of up to $1,500 to support consultancies, mentorships, and travel opportunities that foster a new level of growth for individual folk and traditional artists and organizations engaged in the field in California. Individuals and organizations may apply. Contact: Amy Lawrence, Operations Manager, T: (559) 237-9812, alawrence@actaonline.org, http://www.actaonline.org/content/traditional-arts-development-program.Deadline: Rolling (allow 30 days for application review)

See website for complete guidelines and application instructions. Alliance for California Traditional Arts, The Presidio, PO Box 29096, San Francisco, CA 94129, T: (415) 346-5200,http://www.actaonline.org/.

NEA Art Works Grants – Supports the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts with grants from $10,000-$100,000 to organizations. Open to Arts Education projects that have lifelong learning in the arts as their primary outcome. Innovative projects are strongly encouraged. This deadline is specifically for school-based projects that are directly connected to the school curriculum and instructional program. Activities may take place in or outside the school building at any time of day, including after-school and summer programs. Application must be submitted through the NEA website; allow ample time to prepare the application and deal with technical difficulties that frequently arise on the site. See website for complete guidelines. National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20506, http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/Artsed.html. Deadline: August 8, 2013

**Open Meadows Foundation Grants** – Funding to individuals and to nonprofit organizations for projects that are led by and benefit women. Grants of up to $2,000 support projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect diversity of community served by project in both its leadership and organization; promote building community power; promote racial, social, economic, and environmental justice; and have limited financial access or have encountered obstacles in search for funding. In addition to general grants, Open Meadows has 6 special targeted funds: the Jeanne Meurer Indigenous Women’s Fund; the Ellen Dougherty Activist Fund for Young Women; the Edie Windsor Fund for Old Lesbians; the India Fund; the Patsy Lu Fund for Women’s Music Projects; and the Susan F. Eastman Fund for Environmental Activists. Organizational budget should not exceed $150,000; small and start-up organizations strongly encouraged to apply. Open Meadows Foundation, PO Box 1363, Bronx, NY 10475, T: (718) 885-0969,openmeadows@igc.org, www.openmeadows.org. Receipt Deadline: August 15, 2013

The Emily List Fund for Performing Arts Therapy – Supports theatre, dance, and music projects aimed at helping the sick and disadvantaged in the interest of making their lives better and brighter through the performing arts. Grants of up to $1,000 to fund instruments or equipment for a music therapist working in a hospital; scholarships for young people to attend theatre camp; travel expenses for a chorus or theatre group; space for a dancer working with disabled or elderly people; payment for an instructor teaching arts to patients; tickets for groups to attend theatre performances they otherwise could not… and any other proposal along those lines. Grants are focused in the Pioneer Valley and at Mass General Hospital. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round. Download and complete application form (available on website) and submit by e-mail or postal mail. Emily List Fund for Performing Arts Therapy, Karen List, 1671 South East St., Amherst, MA 01002,klist@journ.umass.edu,http://emilylistfund.com/about.html. Deadline: Rolling

Residencies

Yaddo (year-round, Saratoga Springs, NY) – Residencies of an average of 5 weeks for writers, media artists, visual artists and performing artists working at the professional level in their fields. Facilities include dance/choreography studios, exhibition/installation spaces, metal shop, music studio, and performing arts space. Residency provides housing, meals, studio, travel assistance, and materials stipend. Artists responsible for additional materials or travel costs. FEE: $30 plus fee for media uploads. Yaddo, P.O. Box 395, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, T: (518) 584-0746, FAX: (518) 584-1312, yaddo@yaddo.org,www.yaddo.org. Deadline: August 1, 2013

Other Resources

NOTE: For more resources, visit our Funding Resources pages.

USA Projects – Crowdfunding platform open to artists who have received a grant or award from a distinguished arts organization (see website for a list of qualifying organizations and artist eligibility requirements and application). Projects are based on an “all or nothing” model in which artist sets a minimum fundraising goal and a deadline by which to raise the funds. If artist meets or exceeds goal, she/he receives all the donations; if not, donors are not charged and artist does not receive funds. USA Projects has a 75% success rate (compared to 45% on similar platforms), and raises matching funds so that each project receives a direct contribution of an average of 16% from USA Projects. Artist receives 81% of every dollar pledged, with 3% going toward credit card and bank processing fees, and the rest going toward USA Projects for administration and reinvestment in projects. All donations made through USA Projects are tax-deductible. USA Projects provides each artist with a personal coach for support and guidance through the fundraising process. See website to set up an artist profile page and find out if you are eligible. Contact: Kris Kuramitsu, T: (323) 857-5857, krisk@unitedstatesartists.org, www.unitedstatesartists.org.