NEW YORK CITY: The American Theatre Wing has announced the recipients of its 2017 National Theatre Company Grants, which this year bestow a total of $120,000 to theatres across the U.S., and will be presented on Monday, Oct. 30th at a private event.
This year’s nine Initial Support recipients, with a purse of $10,000 each, are Blackout Theatre Company (Albuquerque, N.M.), Chicago Children’s Theatre (Chicago), Forward Theater Company (Madison, Wisc.), Jewel Theatre Company (Santa Cruz, Calif.), Road Less Traveled Productions (Buffalo, N.Y.), Short North Stage (Columbus, Ohio), The Millibo Art Theatre (Colorado Springs, Colo.), the Playwrights Realm (New York City), and Theatre Horizon (Norristown, Pa.). The Second-Time Support grant recipients are Ars Nova (New York City), Congo Square Theatre Company (Chicago), and the NOLA Project (New Orleans).
Initial Support grants are distributed for general operating support to these companies which, according to grant guidelines, have been in operation at least 5 but not more than 15 years, have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and “nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre,” according to guidelines.
In addition, for the second time running, Second-Time Support grants in the amount of $10,000 will be distributed for general operating support to companies who have already received the National Theatre Company Grant in grant cycles occurring between 2010 and 2015. This year’s second-time grantees are Ars Nova (New York City), Congo Square Theatre Company (Chicago), and the NOLA Project (New Orleans).
“Theatre is an integral part of our shared cultural identity throughout the United States, expanding the dialogue between our neighbors and connecting us to one another,” said Marva Smalls, Chair of the National Theatre Company Grants committee, in a statement. “Our selection for this year’s grants demonstrates how remarkable companies all across America, from Buffalo to Albuquerque and every place in between, are vital to continuing this venerated tradition.”
Added Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing, “The 12 theatre companies that we have bestowed with year’s grants have demonstrated their invaluable impact on their local communities. I am proud to be continuing the Wing’s development and outreach to young and established theater companies as they continue to enrich their respective communities by producing outstanding work with these grants.”
The American Theatre Wing, which has long been dedicated to supporting not-for-profit theatres through its theatre company grants program, first expanded its giving beyond New York City in 2010. The ATW Grants have distributed more than $3 million dollars over the past 60 years. More information is available here. The application period for 2018 grants will open in the spring of next year.
