Read the Eligibility and Requirements, in addition to this section, before completing the Intent to Apply form or the Grant Application.

Only a not-for-profit NAMT member theatre may apply for a grant. That theatre can apply for any of the three grant categories (Early Collaboration or Project Development or Production), but may submit only one application a year as a sole or Lead Applicant. As most musicals are developed over time with the contributions of several organizations, the panelists reviewing the applications will give special consideration to consortium requests. We believe that partnerships formed at the inception of a project will enhance planning and efficiency, create and deepen relationships, and build strong producing networks.

Guidelines for each of the three grant categories are as follows:

WRITERS RESIDENCY GRANTS
For the application guidelines for the Writers Residency Grants, please click here.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Project Development Grants will support projects further along in their development trajectory and are intended to enable producers and creators to develop and refine works through residencies, creative work, readings, and workshops. Consortiums created to support the needs of works throughout their evolution are encouraged, including planning for eventual full productions or rolling premieres. The creative teams are expected to spend time in residence at the host theatre. An applicant's prior experience in new work development will be considered but is not a requirement. Applicants should consider, as appropriate, how a work can begin to find and build its audience. Some aspects of the development process are shared by both Early Collaboration and Project Development requests. Applicants are encouraged to select the category and shape the request to best reflect their needs and intended outcomes.

The intended outcome of a Project Development grant is a tangible product - generally a reading or workshop, and possibly a demo recording.

Award range: Up to $6,000 and the award must be matched by the organization at least 2-to-1 in the project budget for the application.

Review criteria:

1. Artistic merit and excellence of the proposed project as conveyed in the application and accompanying work samples
   
2. Evidence of commitment to/experience in new work development
   
3. Quality of planning for the development of the project
   
4. Support for participating artists including artists’ fees, resources and creative inclusion
   
5. Potential impact of the work
   
6. Appropriateness of the budget for the stated goals of the project
   
7. Evidence of ability to carry out the project

Allowable expenses:

1. Writers’ stipends/fees (required to be part of the project)
   
2. Other Artists’ stipends/fees
   
3. Travel
   
4. Lodging
   
5. Per diem
   
6. Demos, CDs, recording of readings (not for sale)
   
7. Direct costs of readings or workshops

PRODUCTION GRANTS
Production Grants will support new works ready for full production with the potential to enrich the repertory and build new audiences. The awards are intended to increase the number of new musicals produced by member theatres and other theatres around the country.

The writers' on-site presence and engagement with the process is expected. The project narrative should include a description of the theatre's efforts to build an audience for new musicals, and to enhance the audience's engagement with the development process.

Award range: between $10,000 and $20,000, and the award must be matched by the organization by at least 3-to-1 in the project budget in the application.

Review criteria:

1. Artistic merit and excellence of proposed work as conveyed in the application and accompanying work samples
2. Evidence of experience in new work development
   
3. Quality of planning
   
4. Support for participating artists including artists’ fees, resources and creative inclusion
5. Potential impact of the work
6. Appropriateness of the budget
7. Ability to carry out the project
8. Artistic excellence of partnering organizations
9. Likelihood of future productions and the extended life of the work

Allowable expenses:

1. Writers and Other Artists’ fees (required to be part of the project)
   
2. Travel
   
3. Lodging
   
4. Per diem
   
5. Demo CDs, recordings (not for sale)
   
6. Direct production costs
   
7. Orchestrations

If you have any questions, email NAMT New Works Director Branden Huldeen.