A Place to Perform grants give arts nonprofits a stage

By Lauren Jeong, program associate

The arts play a critical role in local economies, connecting people, amplifying child development, providing outlets for mental health and preserving culture. But unfortunately, these opportunities are not spread evenly across our 23-county region. That is why the Foundation tracks arts participation and resident satisfaction in the arts in our region. It is also why we have a grantmaking fund dedicated exclusively to helping performing arts organizations access performance space.

A Place to Perform provides arts nonprofits awards of up to $7,500 for direct performance venue rental costs including performance space rental, load-in costs, required equipment or venue-related technician fees. The grant also covers venue-specific box office or direct front-of-house fees. These grants seek to address inadequate access to performance space, expand equity and access to arts performances and build and diversify audiences.

The deadline for our next A Place to Perform grant application is Friday, August 30, 2019 at noon. Priority is given to arts organizations that have a need for a performance venue that is not met by a space currently owned or leased by the applicant; performances that are free to the public, held in public spaces or in neighborhoods that have limited access to other arts opportunities; and/or performances that are located in neighborhoods that are new to the producing organization. If this sounds like your organization, you can find out more and apply here.

Early this year, the Foundation awarded funding for Arts Clayton’s summer camp production at Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center, Atlanta Music Project’s summer series at Sylvan Hills Middle School, Essential Theatre’s 2019 Essential Theatre Play Festival at the West End Performing Arts Center, and gloATL’s premier of Composing Atlanta at Rhodes Hall.

Note: This piece originally appeared in the Saporta Report.