The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
New York Theater Program
A.R.T./New York is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as we take on the administration of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New York Theater Program (NYTP). This prestigious grant program has long been a crucial source of general operating funding for the nonprofit theatre community in New York City, and will be the largest and most competitive grant program offered by A.R.T./New York to date. Through this partnership, A.R.T./New York and Mellon aim to strengthen and support theatres across all five boroughs through meaningful general operating grants, which will benefit as many as 40-50 theatre companies.
- Organizations must produce theatre within the five boroughs of New York City.
» A.R.T./New York has an expansive understanding of the definition of theatre as a discipline of live performance.
- Companies' general operating budgets (excluding capital activities) must average between $50,000 and $3.5 million over the previous three fiscal years.
- Organizations must be able to demonstrate a significant contribution to the New York theatre scene, to the form as a whole, and have a meaningful body of work that has been shown to the public. Three years of producing history preferred.
- A.R.T./New York membership is not a requirement, though membership will be part of the award for non-member grantees.
- Grantees from previous rounds will be considered for funding by the Program as long as they still meet other eligibility criteria, but we cannot guarantee that all previous grantees will be funded.
Presenting organizations that also produce may be adjudicated separately because of the impact they have on the community and the different business and producing models they use.
THE PROCESS
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New York Theater Program (NYTP) is an exciting addition to the suite of grants administered by A.R.T./New York and allows us to further support our member theatres, which make up the majority of producing organizations in New York City. Unlike other grants administered by A.R.T./New York, applications are by invitation only. All A.R.T./New York members who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered for review.
The application process for NYTP will be conducted as follows:
- Nomination: A.R.T./New York will solicit nominations from artists, theatre makers, arts administrators, and theatre professionals in the community to assemble a list of theatres for review. (March-April 2018)
- Auditing: Auditors will consist of members of the theatre community recommended by A.R.T./New York staff and members. Auditors will review the work of theatre companies selected through the nomination process that meet eligibility criteria. (April 2018-February 2019)
- Invited Application: Based on auditor responses, selected organizations will be invited to apply through a competitive process. A.R.T./New York is also looking at methods to make the application process simpler and more straightforward, as we do with all our grants, and will work with applicants to shepherd the strongest possible application package for the panel. (March-April 2019)
- Invited Panel: As with other A.R.T./New York grants, applications will be evaluated by a peer panel. (May 2019) Auditor evaluations will also be available for panel review. Evaluation criteria for the panel will include:
» Organizational Identity
» Artistic Impact and Excellence
» Administrative and Financial Best Practices
» Impact of the Award
- Decisions and Award: Applications that are recommended through the panel process will be submitted to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for final approval. Recipients will be notified. (September or October 2019)
Awarded grants will be for use over a three year period, paid out once a year upon receipt of a brief Interim Report. A.R.T./New York and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation are working closely to refine the process and criteria, and will continue striving to create a grant that is responsive to the needs of the theatre community.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Nominate a theatre company: If you wish to nominate a theatre company for review, you may do so. Please keep in mind that organizations should meet the general eligibility criteria listed above, and be able to perform well under evaluation of their organization’s identity, artistic excellence, administrative and financial best practices, and the impact the award would have on the company. You should only nominate companies that you believe use theatre successfully and responsibly to create an important impact on their audiences and the field.
Please remember, the number of nominations or perceived prestige of nominators are not factors in the decision to consider a company for review. Nor is a conflict of interest disqualifying for a nomination. The nomination process is simply a tool to bring companies to our attention who might otherwise go overlooked.
Nominations closed at the end of August 2018.
Recommend an auditor: Individuals interested in serving as an auditor or in nominating an auditor are welcome to do so. Auditors should be established theatre artists and professionals based in New York City with a strong knowledge and familiarity with NYC theatres and best practices.
Auditor recommendations closed at the end of August 2018.
For more information about the New York Theatre Program, please contact Corinne Woods, Co-Director of Programs, at [email protected] or (212) 244-6667 ext. 241.
If you have a nomination for a theatre company or a recommendation for an auditor, please email Kati Frazier, Co-Director of Programs, at [email protected]
