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Professional Development and Organizational Assessment
The Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative (PCMI) seeks to strengthen the management capacity of cultural organizations in Greater Philadelphia in ways that propel programmatic excellence in the arts, humanities, and sciences and help organizations engage audiences. PCMI grants provide much-needed resources for individuals and organizations in a wide variety of fields to achieve greater organizational health. Guidelines for these programs may be accessed at www.pcah.us/management.
If you have questions about PCMI’s grants and programs, please call (267) 350-4910 or send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Showcasing Opportunities
Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT) seeks to increase opportunities for professional Pennsylvania-based performing artists to obtain successful touring engagements. Showcasing work is one of PennPAT’s suggested paths to booking tours. Opportunities to mount showcases are often a part of conferences held for presenters, agents and artists. The PDF below further describes conferences that feature showcasing opportunities around the country, as listed on PennPAT’s website. Download PDF here
Service Organizations, Unions and Trade Associations
Actors Equity Association
www.actorsequity.org
“AEA” or “Equity” is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts
www.inclusioninthearts.org
The Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts is the nation’s leading advocate for full diversity as a key to the vitality and dynamism of American theatre, film, and television. Services range from acting as a sounding board and consultant for companies struggling with diversity issues; assisting with a festival’s planning process; helping writers with their ideas; providing specific language for casting notices or program notes; arranging for audition material to be accessible for performers with disabilities, and/or finding a sign language interpreter. Their online resource guide Listening with an Open Eye is intended to provide background and practical information to employers about working with Deaf and hard of hearing actors in auditions, rehearsal and performance.
Americans for the Arts
www.artsusa.org
Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With more than 5,000 organizational and individual members and stakeholders across the country, Americans for the Arts seeks to represent and serve local communities and to create opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Americans for the Arts partners with local, state, and national arts organizations; government agencies, business leaders, individual philanthropists, educators, and funders throughout the country. They provide extensive arts industry research and information and professional development opportunities for community arts leaders via specialized programs and services, including a content-rich website and an annual national convention.
American Theatre Critics Association
www.americantheatrecritics.org
The American Theatre Critics Association is the only national association of professional theatre critics. The organization’s several hundred members work for newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and on-line services across the United States. Membership is open to all professional writers who review theatre regularly for magazines, newspapers, radio, television or on-line services. ATCA sponsors yearly conferences and symposia and sends members to the seminars and congresses of the International Association of Theatre Critics. Through its Foundation, ATCA annually awards the $40,000 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA and M. Elizabeth Osborn new play awards and the $10,000 Francesca Primus Prize.
Association of Performing Arts Presenters
www.artspresenters.org
The APA develops and supports a robust performing arts presenting field and the professionals who work within it. Artists and theatre companies presenting New York showcases during the APA’s annual January conference can arrange to have their performances publicized and attended by some of the more than 700 presenters and managers at the conference.
Black Theatre Network
www.blacktheatrenetwork.org
BTN collects, processes and distributes information that supports the professional and personal development of its members and nurtures the growth of Black Theatre. BTN holds a Black Theatre Network Meeting in conjunction with the biennial Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina.
Boardsource
www.boardsource.org
BoardSource is dedicated to advancing the public good by building exceptional nonprofit boards and inspiring board service. BoardSource provides resources for nonprofit leaders through workshops, training, assessment tools, an extensive website, and a membership program. Consultants can work directly with nonprofit leaders to design specialized solutions to meet an organization’s needs. Boardsource offers a comprehensive selection of material on nonprofit governance, including publications and CDs. The organization’s annual conference convenes governance experts, board members, chief executives, and senior staff from around the world to discuss the newest thinking and practices in nonprofit governance.
Broadway League
www.broadwayleague.com
The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. Members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in New York and more than 250 other North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry.
Dramatists Guild
www.dramatistsguild.com
A community of playwrights, composers and lyricists, The Dramatists Guild is dedicated to protecting, informing, and promoting the interests of dramatists everywhere.
Fractured Atlas
www.fracturedatlas.org
Fractured Atlas is a non-profit organization that helps a national community of artists and arts organizations to function more effectively as businesses by providing access to health and liability insurance, online courses, international visas to work as an artist, microgrants and more. Nearly all of Fractured Atlas’ services are accessible online.
Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors
www.hellohola.org
HOLA is an arts service organization founded to expand the presence of Hispanic actors in both the Latino and mainstream entertainment and communications media by facilitating industry access and employment for professional and emerging Hispanic actors.
International Theatre Institute
www.iti-worldwide.org
ITI aims to promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts (drama, dance, and musical theatre) in order to consolidate peace and solidarity between peoples, to deepen mutual understanding, and to increase creative co-operation between all people in the performing arts. Theatre Communications Group (TCG, see below) is the U.S. branch of this organization.
League of Historic American Theatres
www.lhat.org
The League of Historic American Theatres is a non-profit membership association and professional network dedicated to sustaining America’s historic theatres for the benefit of their communities and future generations.
League of Resident Theatres
www.lort.org
LORT is the largest professional theatre association of its kind in the United States, with member Theatres located in every major market in the U.S. LORT administers the primary national not-for-profit collective bargaining agreements with Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers (SSDC), and United Scenic Artists (USA) and deals directly with personnel and management issues involving theatre staff, artists, and craftspeople. LORT members communicate collectively via LORT Counsel’s office in New York. Semi-annual meetings provide opportunities for LORT members to study, discuss, and exchange information on such non-labor management issues as development, marketing, public relations, education, and technology, as well as provide a forum for developing professional relationships. LORT is also committed to the continued training of current and future LORT managers.
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas
www.lmda.org
LMDA is a network to affirm the role of the dramaturg, to expand the possibilities of the field to other media and institutions, and to cultivate, develop and promote the function of dramaturgy and literary management. LMDA offers seed money to support projects conceived, spearheaded, and/or orchestrated by LMDA member dramaturgs and connects theaters with dramaturgs for projects or seasons through its residency program. LMDA has a annual award in recognition of exemplary contributions by dramaturgs and hosts an annual conference.
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
www.namt.org
A national service organization dedicated to advancing musical theatre, NAMT nurtures the creation, development, production, and presentation of new and classic musicals. Members can apply for funds to support the early development, workshops, and full productions of new works and can earn revenues by renting sets, costumes, props, and orchestrations to other member theatres. NAMT holds two annual conferences, one of which culminates in the Festival of New Musicals, a showcase of selected new work in New York City.
Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour
www.pennpat.org
PennPAT’s purpose is to increase opportunities for professional Pennsylvania-based performing artists to obtain successful touring engagements. PennPat supports such tours using a multi-layered approach that includes grants to presenters, grants to artists, professional development for artists, and marketing support.
Puppeteers of America
www.puppeteers.org
Puppeteers of America provides information, encourages performances, and builds a community of people who love puppet theatre. Benefits of membership include eligibility for grants made to active puppeteers, purchase of low-cost liability insurance, use of a DVD library, and free consultations with experts about specific puppetry challenges.
Shakespeare Theatre Association of America
www.staaonline.org
STAA was established to provide a forum for the artistic and managerial leadership of theatres whose central activity is the production of Shakespeare’s plays; to discuss issues and share methods of work, resources, and information; and to act as an advocate for Shakespearean productions in North America. The central focus of the organization is its annual conference, featuring distinguished keynote speakers.
Society of American Fight Directors
www.safd.org
SAFD is dedicated to promoting safety and fostering excellence in the art of directing staged combat and theatrical violence. The SAFD maintains high standards of training and education. Members receive workshop discounts. Qualified members are granted certification to teach stage combat and are listed in a national online directory.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
www.sdcweb.org
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society is a theatrical union that unites and empowers professional stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States. Members are protected under SDC employment contracts and can qualify for pension and health benefits.
Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
www.theatrealliance.org
TAGP is a local service organization dedicated to strengthening the Philadelphia region’s diverse theatre community by promoting awareness and by serving as a resource for information, professional development, and advocacy.
Theatre Communications Group
www.tcg.org
A national service organization, TCG works to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre. TCG publishes AMERICAN THEATRE magazine and THEATRE FACTS, a thorough annual fiscal survey; plays an active role in influencing policy issues that affect the national field of theatre, hosts an annual member conference and provides grants for individuals and organizations.
Theatre for Young Audiences-USA
www.assitej-usa.org
Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (formerly ASSITEJ/USA) promotes the power of professional theatre for young audiences through excellence, collaboration and innovation across cultural and international boundaries.
Theatre Development Fund
www.tdf.org
TDF’s twofold mission is to identify and provide support to theatrical works of artistic merit and to encourage and enable diverse audiences to attend live theatre and dance in all their venues. Members of TDF can participate in a voucher program that provides discount tickets for productions in New York City. Same-day discounted tickets are available through the Theatre Development Fund’s TKTS booths in Times Square, South Street Seaport and downtown Brooklyn.
United Scenic Artists
www.usa829.org
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, is a labor union and professional association of designers, artists and craftspeople organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries.
United States Institute of Theatre Technology
www.usitt.org
USITT is the association of design, production, and technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry. The Institute hosts an annual conference and stage expo, supports publications in print and online, and offers a program of grants and international study tours. USITT is also instituting an entertainment technician certification program.
Other Resources
Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
www.artsandbusinessphila.org/bva
Through its Business Volunteers for the Arts program (BVA), the Arts and Business Council strengthens the management of nonprofit arts organizations and provides business professionals with experiential learning by engaging them as volunteer consultants to assist with management, technology, and other administrative capacities.
The Foundation Center
www.foundationcenter.org
The Foundation Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants and issues a wide variety of print, electronic, and online information resources.
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
www.philaculture.org
The mission of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is to make Greater Philadelphia one of the foremost creative regions in the world. GPCA strives to achieve this mission through its work in cultural policy and marketing as well as services to members.
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
www.nypl.org/research/lpa
This library, located at Lincoln Center, has an extensive collection of film and dramatic criticism and of materials tracing the history of film and theater production. Other subjects represented include television and radio broadcasting, magic, puppetry and the circus. In Special Collections, theatre professionals may make appointments to access the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) to watch archival films of theatre productions.
Nonprofit Finance Fund
www.nonprofitfinancefund.org
Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a national leader in helping nonprofits strengthen their financial health and improve their capacity to serve their communities. NFF’s strategy is to provide financial resources, in the form of loans, grants, and asset-building programs, in concert with management advice.
Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
www.artsandbusinessphila.org/pvla
The Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA) program, which is part of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, provides pro-bono and low-cost legal assistance, educational programs and business counseling to artists and arts and cultural organizations.
Other Funders
Charlotte Cushman Foundation
www.charlottecushmanfoundation.org
The Charlotte Cushman Foundation is dedicated to supporting the theatrical dramatic arts in the Greater Philadelphia Area and provides grants to qualified non-profit theaters and groups for actors and actresses in staged productions.
Engage 2020 Innovation Grant Program
www.philaculture.org/programs/grantmaking
A program of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and The Philadelphia Foundation, the Engage 2020 Innovation Grant Program offers local arts organizations the opportunity to apply for one-year grants of up to $75,000 for the design and implementation of programs that build on the findings of the Cultural Alliance’s Research into Action: Pathways to New Opportunities report.
Independence Foundation
www.independencefoundation.org
Fellowships for independent performing artists and multi-year general operating grants aimed at strengthening organizations are among the support offered by the Independence Foundation, a private, not-for-profit philanthropic organization serving Philadelphia and its surrounding Pennsylvania counties. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.
The Leeway Foundation
www.leeway.org
The Leeway Foundation, committed to art-making as an integral part of social change, offers grants to women and trans people who have financial need to create an art and social change project.
Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation
www.midatlanticarts.org
This foundation serves Pennsylvania and other mid-Atlantic states by offering services and support to artists, as well as access to arts programs for audiences and participants.
National Endowment for the Arts
www.arts.endow.gov/grants
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education.
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
www.pacouncilonthearts.org
PCA’s mission is to foster the excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts in Pennsylvania and to broaden the availability and appreciation of those arts throughout the state. Funding opportunities exist for both organizations and individuals.
The Pew Charitable Trusts
www.pewtrusts.org/our_work
Pew supports a broad spectrum of institutions, artists, projects and cultural marketing initiatives. The Trusts also helps cultural organizations to take advantage of technical assistance and professional development opportunities. Pew’s objectives in supporting arts and culture are twofold: to nurture artistic excellence and to expand public participation. Highlights of Pew’s work include the Cultural Data Project, the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, of which PTI is a part; and the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program (PCLP). While some funding is available through PCLP, most of Pew’s funding for theatre is channeled through PTI.
Philadelphia Cultural Fund
www.philaculturalfund.org
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund is a non-profit corporation established by Philadelphia’s Mayor and City Council to support and enhance the cultural life and vitality of the City of Philadelphia and its residents. The Cultural Fund’s grants are made from the City’s budget allocation to support general operating expenses of Philadelphia-based arts and cultural organizations.
Philadelphia Foundation
www.philafound.org
A community foundation that administrates the charitable funds of civic-minded donors.
Project Stream
www.philaculture.org/programs/grantmaking/project_stream
A program of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), Project Stream provides seed money to artists and arts organizations offering innovative, community-based arts projects in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
Samuel S. Fels Fund
www.samfels.org
The Fels Fund is a private independent foundation that makes grants in the categories of Arts and Humanities, Education, and Community Programs. Fels Fund grants are limited to the city of Philadelphia and are not available to individuals. Theatres apply under Arts deadlines of Jan 15 and May 15. See the website for full guidelines.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation
www.sdcweb.org
SDCF exists to foster, promote and develop the creativity and craft of stage directors and choreographers. SDCF’s goals include providing opportunities to practice the crafts of directing and choreography. Observerships and multiple small fellowships are available.
Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation
www.bartol.org
The Bartol Foundation funds arts and cultural programs in the City of Philadelphia with an emphasis on in-depth arts education and community-based arts programs. The Foundation makes a limited number of grants for other artistic efforts that demonstrate the opportunity for an organization to make strides artistically or organizationally. The Bartol Foundation also presents workshops for the professional development of teaching artists so they can enhance their teaching skills and sustain their lives as artists.
Theatre Communications Group
www.tcg.org/grants
TCG, a national service organization that works to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre, offers grants to theatre professionals for project research and development, professional mentoring, observerships, travel and more.
William Penn Foundation
www.williampennfoundation.org
The William Penn Foundation’s Arts & Culture program is rooted in the belief that diverse artistic expression is a hallmark of a healthy region. The program provides various types of core operating support for arts groups and cultural institutions, enabling them to pursue their creative missions with confidence in their organization’s future. The Foundation seeks to broadly advance the region’s cultural sector through funding strategies that promote artistic achievement and encourage public participation in and support for the arts. Learn more online at www.williampennfoundation.org