Program/Grant: Shakespeare in American Communities

Nestled in the rural mountains of Southwest Virginia, the nearly century-old Barter Theatre helps actors and creative staff to put down roots and build connections in their community.

Grants of up to $30,000 to support theater programming across the nation – including a brand-new Apprenticeships program.

$1.17 million will support Shakespeare programming for young people across America.

For Pharaoh Brooks and Dameion Brown, acting in prison offered an escape from the monotonous minutiae of daily life and created a path through life beyond bars.

Applications are now open for the 2024-25 cycle of our two national grants programs: the NEA Big Read and Shakespeare in American Communities.

49 organizations across the country are receiving over $1.16 million in grants to bring the works of Shakespeare to youth in schools and the juvenile justice system.

Arts Midwest today announced the recipients of $1.17 million in Shakespeare in American Communities grants, with $1 million going to 40 professional theater companies partnering with schools, and $170,000 going...