2027 Grant Opportunity Shakespeare in American Communities Apprenticeships Program, Through its Shakespeare in American Communities program, Arts Midwest provides grants to theatre companies across the United States to support paid apprenticeship opportunities for aspiring theatre administrators and technical professionals. The funding enables participating theatre organizations to recruit and employ early-career talent, giving emerging professionals practical workplace experience, professional development, and an opportunity to build their careers in the theatre industry.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.
Last Date of Submission: Phase 1 – 26 January 2027; Phase 2 – 9 February 2027
Guidelines for 2027 Grant Opportunity Shakespeare in American Communities Apprenticeships Program United States of America (USA)
2027–28 Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships – Program Guidelines
Arts Midwest is offering cost-share grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to nonprofit theatre organizations across the United States to establish or strengthen paid apprenticeship opportunities for emerging theatre administrators and technical professionals.
The programme is intended to help theatre companies recruit early-career professionals, provide practical workplace training, and develop the next generation of talent in the theatre sector.
The programme has two primary objectives:
- Enable theatre organizations to employ emerging theatre professionals and administrators, allowing them to acquire practical, hands-on experience and develop industry-specific skills.
- Strengthen theatre companies that engage in community-based theatre activities and collaborative initiatives across different sectors.
Important: Apprenticeship activities supported through this funding do not need to focus on Shakespeare-related productions or programming.
Successful applicants must provide a 1:1 nonfederal cost-share, meaning that the organization must demonstrate matching resources equal to the amount requested. All funded activities must be implemented between August 1, 2027, and July 31, 2028.
Applicants should also be aware that they can apply for only one of the three Shakespeare in American Communities funding tracks: Schools, Juvenile Justice, or Apprenticeships. Organizations can use the eligibility quiz to identify the most appropriate funding opportunity for their work.
Accessibility and Application Support for 2027 Grant Opportunity Shakespeare in American Communities Apprenticeships Program United States of America (USA)
Arts Midwest aims to make the application process inclusive and accessible to all eligible organizations. Applicants who encounter accessibility barriers can request alternative methods of submitting their applications. Available accommodations may include:
- Microsoft Word Application: An adapted application form can be provided upon request.
- Video Submission: Applicants may request permission to submit their application through a video format.
- Telephone Assistance: Organizations can arrange to discuss application-related questions directly with a programme manager over the phone.
Applicants requiring these accommodations should contact Carlianne, the programme manager, as early as possible. Requests submitted after January 21, 2027, may not be accommodated.
For assistance, contact grants@artsmidwest.org. Applicants may also participate in scheduled information sessions or office hours, with details provided in the Timeline section.
Organizations are permitted to seek help from another individual when preparing or completing their applications. Additional guidance is available in the programme’s “How to Use SmartSimple” section.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
The Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships programme is intended for established professional theatre organizations that want to invest in the development of emerging theatre administrators and technical personnel.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Eligible Organizations: Applicants must be professional theatre companies registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. They must have at least two years of experience delivering community-based, cross-sector theatre activities.
- Geographic Eligibility: Organizations must operate within the United States, its territories, or Native Nations and communities located within this geographic area.
- Apprenticeship Focus: Applicants must propose projects that provide paid apprenticeship opportunities for early-career theatre administrators and technicians. Grant requests must fall between $15,000 and $50,000.
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Applicants must possess a valid UEI issued through SAM.gov to receive federal funding. Organizations that do not already have one can obtain it free of charge through gov.
- Good Standing with Arts Midwest: Organizations must have no outstanding overdue reports or unresolved funding restrictions with Arts Midwest.
- Federal Compliance: Since the programme is supported by federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), applicants must satisfy the applicable federal eligibility requirements and comply with the NEA’s Assurance of Compliance.
One Application Rule: Each organization may submit an application to only one Shakespeare in American Communities funding track. Applicants must select one of the following: Schools, Juvenile Justice, or Apprenticeships.
Application Timeline
Applicants should take note of the following deadlines and programme milestones to ensure timely submission and implementation of their proposals.
| Key Activity | Deadline / Schedule |
| Phase 1: Eligibility Review | January 26, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT |
| Phase 2: Full Proposal Submission | February 9, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT |
| Panel Review | March–April 2027 |
| Grant Award Notifications | May 2027 |
| Project Implementation Period | August 1, 2027 – July 31, 2028 |
| In-Person Grantee Convening | Mid-to-late summer 2028, Minneapolis |
Project Requirements
Organizations receiving funding through the Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships programme must comply with specific implementation requirements. These conditions are designed to ensure that apprentices receive meaningful professional experience and that grantees actively participate in the programme’s wider learning network.
1. Provide Paid Apprenticeships for Emerging Theatre Professionals
Every funded project must create or support paid apprenticeship positions for early-career theatre administrators and technical professionals.
The following conditions apply:
- Fair Compensation: Apprentices must receive appropriate payment for their work and gain meaningful, practical experience while working alongside established professionals in the theatre industry.
- Flexible Employment Arrangements: Apprenticeships may be offered on either a full-time or part-time basis.
- Eligible Positions: Supported roles may include theatre technicians, set designers, assistant directors, operations personnel, human resources professionals, and communications and marketing staff.
- Excluded Positions: Apprenticeships for actors, writers, and development staff are not eligible under this funding opportunity.
- Minimum Employment Period: Each apprentice must remain employed by the theatre organization for at least six months during the project period, which runs from August 1, 2027, to July 31, 2028.
- Replacement of Apprentices: If an apprentice leaves before completing the required six-month period, the organization must recruit another apprentice to fulfil the position’s requirements.
- New or Existing Programmes: Funding can be used to establish a new apprenticeship initiative or provide support for an existing apprenticeship programme.
2. Participate in Grantee Networking and Learning Activities
Funded theatre organizations must take part in virtual and in-person networking and professional development activities organized by Arts Midwest.
The participation requirements include:
- Attending multiple virtual gatherings organized for Shakespeare in American Communities grantees.
- Participating in an in-person networking and professional development event designed to encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participating organizations.
- Ensuring that at least one representative from the theatre company attends the in-person gathering.
Arts Midwest will cover travel, accommodation, and limited meal expenses for one representative from each funded organization attending the in-person convening at the end of the grant cycle.
Grant Funding and Award Details
Eligible theatre organizations can request grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to support their apprenticeship projects.
The awards are financed through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Consequently, applicants must demonstrate a minimum one-to-one nonfederal matching contribution against the amount requested.
This means the total project expenditure must be at least twice the requested grant amount. For example, an organization requesting $30,000 must demonstrate a total project budget of at least $60,000, including $30,000 in eligible matching resources.
Sources of Matching Contributions
Applicants may demonstrate their matching contribution through a combination of financial and nonfinancial resources, including:
- Staff salaries and wages allocated to the project.
- Volunteer contributions and donated services or other in-kind support.
- Donations, ticket sales revenue, and grants received from nonfederal sources.
- Cash contributions provided directly by the applicant organization or its project partners.
Important: Federal government funding cannot be counted toward the required matching contribution.
Eligible Project Expenses
The proposed budget must include expenses that are directly connected to the implementation and delivery of the funded programme. All expenditure must comply with applicable federal funding rules.
Examples of eligible costs include:
- Artistic and professional fees for actors, directors, designers, choreographers, and other creative professionals.
- Theatre production expenses, including props, costumes, stage sets, and related materials.
- Travel expenses associated with touring productions or the transportation of participating artists.
- An appropriate proportion of staff salaries and wages allocated to the project.
- Printing, promotional, and marketing expenses.
- Other direct project-related costs necessary for delivering the proposed activities.
Applicants should ensure that every budget item is clearly linked to the proposed programme and supported by an appropriate cost justification.
Ineligible Project Expenses
Certain expenditures cannot be covered through this grant. Applicants must exclude all unallowable costs from their proposed budgets and follow the federal eligibility and cost requirements.
Examples of expenses that are not eligible include:
- Food, refreshments, concessions, and alcoholic beverages.
- Fellowships, cash awards, or prize payments.
- Purchase of capital equipment.
- Costs that are already being covered under another federal award, whether the funding is received directly from a federal agency or indirectly through a state agency or another organization.
- Entertainment-related expenses, including opening celebrations, receptions, and fundraising events organized to generate financial support for the applicant organization or another individual, organization, or cause.
Since the awards originate from federal funding, all proposed and reported expenses must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), commonly referred to as the Uniform Guidance.
How to apply?
Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below
Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 2027–28 Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships grant?
This is a funding opportunity offered by Arts Midwest to support nonprofit theatre organizations in providing paid apprenticeship opportunities for emerging theatre administrators and technical professionals across the United States.
- How much funding can an organization receive through this programme?
Eligible organizations can request grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. Applicants must provide a matching contribution equal to the grant amount through nonfederal funds or eligible in-kind resources.
- Who is eligible to apply for the Apprenticeships grant?
Professional theatre companies registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with at least two years of experience delivering community-based, cross-sector theatre activities may apply. Organizations must also meet the geographic, UEI, and federal compliance requirements.
- What types of apprenticeship positions are eligible for funding?
Eligible positions include theatre technicians, set designers, assistant directors, operations personnel, human resources staff, and communications and marketing professionals. Actors, writers, and development staff are not eligible. Apprentices must be employed for at least six months during the project period.
- What are the application deadlines for the 2027–28 programme?
The Phase 1 Eligibility Review must be submitted by January 26, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT. The deadline for the Phase 2 Full Proposal is February 9, 2027, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) CT. Grant award notifications are expected in May 2027.
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