Since 2003, Shakespeare in American Communities has funded over 14,500 performances in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This program, from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest, helps non-profit Shakespeare companies bring the Bard’s work to American middle and high schools and juvenile justice facilities.

The required but non-binding online Intent to Apply form is due by December 2, 2021. The full application is due by February 2, 2022. Organizations may apply in both categories, but must submit separate applications and keep projects separate in terms of funding and programming.

Awards for school-based performances are typically $25,000 for up to 40 recipients and require a 100% match. Programs for juvenile justice facilities receive $15,000 – $25,000 and have no matching requirement. Six to ten of these awards are granted annually. Activities in both categories should take place between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023.

Eligibility

In School Performances

Applicants wishing to conduct performances and educational activities in schools must:

1. Be a U.S. based professional theater company that has either a 501(c)3 status or is a unit of state or local government.
2. Have performed works by Shakespeare or other classically-based works in the past five years.
3. Have at least two years experience in performing for and providing educational activities to middle and/or high school students.

Community theater groups and college Theater Departments are not eligible, nor are organizations or venues who produce performances.

Juvenile Justice Performances

Applicants wishing to conduct performances and educational activities in juvenile justice facilities must:

1. Be a U.S. based professional theater company that has either a 501(c)3 status or is a unit of state or local government.
2. Have at least two years experience providing theater education through the juvenile justice system.

Program Requirements

In School

Grant recipients must partner with at least five middle and/or high schools, the majority of which must serve disadvantaged youth. This disadvantage and limited access to the performing arts may be due to race, ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status, or disability, among other potential barriers.

Performances may be of a full play by Shakespeare, an adaptation of his work, or consist of a collection of his work including scenes and monologue and/or sonnets. Educational activities should examine his work in a modern context. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, performances and activities can be conducted in-person, socially distanced, or virtually.

Juvenile Justice

Grant recipients must work with the juvenile justice system to bring their programming to individuals who meet the definition of a juvenile offender – anyone 18 or under who has been found guilty by the juvenile justice system. Performances and educational activities may take place in detention centers, court appointed programs, treatment centers, and/or educational programs for juvenile offenders.

Grantees must also work with at least two individuals with experience providing theater education to juvenile offenders. These teachers, artists, or other personnel must lead the educational activities. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, performances and activities can be conducted in-person, socially distanced, or virtually.

Selection Criteria

In School

Applications in this category will be reviewed based on:

1. Artistic excellence and merit
2. Quality of educational activities
3. Ability to reach the minimum five schools
4. Overall capacity to successfully administer the project

Juvenile Justice

Applications in this category will be reviewed based on:

1. Artistic excellence and merit
2. Ability to work with the juvenile justice system
3. Overall capacity to successfully administer the project

Applying

In School

Juvenile Justice

Applicants in both categories should refer to their diversity, equity, and inclusion plans throughout the application. Consideration should also be given to how relevant the production and educational activities are to the audience.