Applying for Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships

Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships welcomes applications from 501c3 non-profit theater companies located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography.

Who should apply?

• 501c3 non-profit theater companies that have a minimum of two years’ experience providing community-based, cross-sector theater related activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, theater programs that work with or perform for people experiencing housing insecurity, people in hospital settings or senior centers, and more. Apprentices would support and learn from these partnerships. This programming does NOT have to be Shakespeare related.
• Organizations located within the United States, US Territories, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
• Organizations that do not have overdue reports or funding moratoria with Arts Midwest.
• Organizations with a UEI number from SAM.gov on file by late April 2026 (necessary in order to receive grant funds). Apply for a free UEI at SAM.gov.
• Organizations that can comply with Federal eligibility requirements.

Programming must take place between August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027.
The grant award is $20,000 – 30,000, which requires a cash cost-share from the applicant equal to or greater than the grant request.
These funds derive from Federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (Assistance Listing #45.024: Promotion of the Arts_Grants to Organizations and Individuals).
Organizations may submit an application for only ONE Shakespeare in American Communities grant opportunity: Schools, Juvenile Justice, or Apprenticeships.
Each Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeship project must meet these requirements:

Support paid apprenticeships for early theater administrators and technicians.

• Apprentices must be compensated fairly and should gain valuable experience working with other professionals in the field. Apprenticeships can be part-time or full-time.
• Roles that are eligible for the apprenticeship include: theater technicians, set designers, assistant directors, operations staff, human resources staff, communications and marketing staff.
• Roles that are ineligible include: actors, writers, and development staff.
• The apprentice should be employed by the theater for a minimum of six months between August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027.
  • If an apprentice leaves their role before six months have been completed, the organization should hire a new apprentice to fulfill the role.
• These funds may support a new or existing apprenticeship program.

Participate in virtual and in-person convenings with other grantees

• Arts Midwest will host several virtual convenings and one in-person networking and professional development convening for Shakespeare in American Communities grantees.
• Travel, lodging, and limited food costs for one company representative will be covered by Arts Midwest for the in-person convening at the end of the grant cycle.
• The in-person convening is intended for staff or board of the grantee organization, not the apprentices.

Provide a budget for the project that includes eligible expenses and demonstrates a plan for providing a one-to-one match for the grant.

• Apprentices must be compensated and should gain valuable experience working with other professionals in the field. Eligible expenses are those that directly relate to supporting this role. They include:
  • Apprenticeship stipend/salary
  • Benefits
  • Professional development costs
  • Supplies related to onboarding and staffing this position (office supplies, software subscriptions, etc.)
• Please do not include unallowable costs in your budget. Unallowable costs include, but are not limited to:
  • Refreshments, concessions, food, and alcohol
  • Fellowships or cash prizes
  • Payment for facilities, purchase of capital equipment, or non-project related administrative expenses
  • Overlapping project costs between federal awards, whether received directly from a federal agency or indirectly, such as through a state agency or other entity
  • Entertainment costs, such as opening parties, receptions, or fundraisers designed to raise funds for your own organization or on behalf of another person, organization, or cause
  • Programs restricted to any organization’s membership; programs must be promoted and available to the general public
• Cost-share Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate cost-share (matching) funds on a 1:1 basis for their grant.
  • To demonstrate the cost-share, your expenses should be at least double your grant request (for a $25,000 Shakespeare grant, the total project budget must be at least $50,000)
  • You will be required to demonstrate your match in the application; federal funds cannot be used as match

For all grant applications, we use an online platform called SmartSimple. Applicants will need to register if they are new to using the system.

The application involves a two-part process: applicants will submit an intent to apply first and then a full application. To submit your intent to apply, visit the “Grants for Organizations” link at the top of the page, click the “Begin a new application” tile, then the “Apply Now” button for this opportunity.

Step 1: Intent to Apply (Due January 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central time)
Applicants will submit the following required information:

• Applicant organization details (EIN, UEI number from SAM.gov, mission statement, annual operating budget, organization location information, primary contact information, publicity name).
• Short summary of apprenticeship role (250 words)
• Short summary of planned community-based activities (250 words)
• Project start and end dates
• Grant request amount

Step 2: Full Application (Due February 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central time)

Artistic Excellence and Merit

• Describe your organization’s experience in community-based programming. (400 words)
• Personnel supporting the apprenticeship: Indicate the individuals who would mentor/supervise the apprentice and cite at least 2-3 leadership experiences with community-based theatre projects. (400 words)
• Listing of potential partners for your community-based programming.

Quality of the Apprenticeship Program

• Describe the role and workload of the apprentice. (700 words)
  • What programs or functions would this position support in your organization?
  • Please indicate if this is a new role in your organization or if you have a history of apprenticeship programs.
• Timeline
  • Please provide a timeline for hiring the apprentice and the projects that apprentice will assist with

Planning for Success

• Goals of apprenticeship: What will the apprentice gain by participating in this program? What will the applicant organization gain? (400 words)
• This program is intended to support a 6 to 11-month position. Please describe your plan for pivoting the funds if the apprentice leaves this role before the project ends. (200 words). Positions that are vacated at or before 6 months are expected to be refilled.

Resource management

• Organization’s total revenue (current fiscal year and last fiscal year)
• Organization’s total expenses (current fiscal year and last fiscal year)
• Project Budget

Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel. That panel is composed of arts and theater experts and other individuals with broad knowledge of community programs.

A panel uses the following four criteria to review applications. Geographic spread of final awards will also be considered.

• Artistic excellence and merit of programming. The panel will review the plans for community-based programming, the abilities of the professional team of artists and staff, and planned partners.
• Quality of apprenticeship program. The panel will consider the applicant’s experience offering similar positions and the timeline and workload for the position.
• Planning for success. The panel will evaluate the plan for the apprenticeship, including how the applicant and the apprentice will benefit from this experience; goals that are clearly stated and align with the intent of Shakespeare in American Communities: Apprenticeships; and plans for pivoting the funds should the need arise.
• Resource management. The panel will consider the applicant’s ability to manage and implement a federal award. This could include organizational expertise; proven fiscal responsibility; etc.

• January 29, 2026: Intent to Apply Due
• February 12, 2026: Full Application Due
• April 2026: Panel Review
• May 2026: All applicants will receive an email notification of award decisions
• June 2026: Awardees announced
• August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027: Funded projects take place
• Summer 2027: In-person convening

Any changes or updates to planned activities should be communicated to Arts Midwest staff as early as possible.

Reporting Requirements
A final report will be due 30 days after the project is completed. The final report consists of a final listing of events, statistics on audiences and artists, narratives, and a final budget.

If you have additional questions, we invite you to join Grants Manager Carlianne Jorve for office hours. You can sign up for office hours using the links below:

• Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 11am-12pm CT. Sign up here.

You can also always email Arts Midwest with your questions at [email protected].

Arts Midwest works to ensure that grant guidelines, presentations, and any other written materials are created with accessibility and disability experiences in mind. Staff are happy to work with applicants on alternative formats, including but not limited to using an adapted form in Microsoft Word or taking verbal responses.

Please complete this form so we can help make a grant or program accessible to you. We may not be able to accommodate requests made after January 8, 2026.

Visit our Accessibility Policy for more information on our commitment to accessibility.

For any questions, please email [email protected] or call 612.238.8005.