Registration deadline: January 22, 2010
Application deadline: April 12, 2010

The Program encourages and supports the development of emerging theatre organizations that demonstrate artistic potential and/or accomplishment.  Funding is to be directed to artists’ fees and production expenses for seasonal activity.  Requests in this category may not exceed $7,500.  

Note: Applications in this category go directly to panel and are not subject to staff review.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the New Theatre Advancement category must meet the following conditions:

Application Instructions

Applicants are strongly advised to consult with Program staff in advance of the registration and application deadlines.  The on-line application form includes the following questions and a project budget.  Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Organizational Development
Describe the growth and development of your organization.  Note key individuals—company members, affiliated artists, founding board members, etc.  Describe office and/or performance facilities (if applicable).   

2. Artistic Overview
Discuss your most recent producing activity.  Describe how your artistic work supports your organizational mission.  Note any collaborations or co-productions.  

3. Proposed Activity
Describe the producing season for which you are requesting support.  Does this represent any type of change from previous seasons? 

Managerial/Fiscal

4. Managerial Overview
Describe the structure of your organization, including staff, artists and board.  Is the board involved in organizational management?

5. Fiscal Overview
Describe fundraising strategies for your organization, noting individual, public, foundation and corporate sources of support.  Does your board play a role in organizational fundraising?  Is there one individual with primary responsibility for fiscal management?  

6. Marketing
Describe your marketing efforts, both organizational and programmatic.  Describe your use of online resources, including your website and social networking sites.    

7. Assessment
How does your organization assess the effectiveness of its work—artistic, managerial, fundraising, etc.?  Are you working under a strategic plan?  Do you hold any type of organizational planning sessions or planning/assessment retreats? 

Service to the Public

8. Audience Development
Discuss your efforts to maintain and increase audiences.  Do you have subscribers or members?  If so, how many?  Describe any efforts to diversify audiences.  

9. Outreach
Describe all outreach activities—including educational programs, discount ticketing, talk-backs, newsletters, etc.—offered to the public by your company.  Do you reach out to under-served populations in your community?  Do you collaborate with any community-based or social service organizations? 

New in FY11: Production Summary Lists for your current season and last season should be submitted using the Production Summary form (click here or see the right-hand navigation menu). Please list the title of each play you produce, the name of the playwright, the name of the director, the AEA contract (e.g., LOA, Mini, Showcase, etc.) if applicable, the number of performances, and the range of artists' fees. Readings should not be included. Print 8 copies of this Production Summary List (double-sided, if possible) and include them with the hard-copy Support Materials that you will mail to the program. 

Support Materials

Please send 2 copies of the following materials to the Program by the application deadline: