Shakespeare In American Communities: Juvenile Justice

Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice is a national grant program administered by Arts Midwest with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. This initiative supports professional theater companies that partner with juvenile justice systems to provide sustained educational theater programming focused on the works of William Shakespeare. Through these partnerships, grantees aim to engage incarcerated or justice-involved youth in activities that promote literary exploration, critical thinking, and personal development by examining Shakespeare’s texts in a modern context. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional theater organizations or organizations located in Native Nations that share U.S. geography. Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of experience delivering theater education in collaboration with juvenile justice systems, including detention centers, group homes, correctional facilities, or court-appointed programs. Programming must occur between August 1, 2026, and July 31, 2027. Each application must include a partnership with at least one justice-related facility and engage a minimum of two qualified teaching artists or professional staff. Awards range from $15,000 to $25,000 and do not require matching funds. Funded projects must offer educational theater programming that involves multiple points of contact and deep engagement with participants, including workshops, residencies, and discussions that interpret Shakespeare's work within contemporary contexts. All teaching personnel must be experienced in working with justice-involved youth and must complete evaluation surveys. Grantees are also required to participate in professional convenings, including one in-person session sponsored by Arts Midwest, for which travel costs will be covered. Applicants must first submit an “Intent to Apply” form by January 29, 2026, followed by a full application due February 12, 2026. Application submission occurs through the SmartSimple portal, and organizations must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) registered in SAM.gov by late April 2026. The full application includes narrative sections addressing organizational history, programming excellence, audience engagement, and contingency planning. Applicants will also report financial data and provide a detailed project budget highlighting only allowable expenses. Proposals will be evaluated by an independent review panel based on four criteria: artistic excellence and merit, audience engagement, planning, and resource management. Geographic distribution will also be considered. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions in May 2026, with awards publicly announced in June 2026. Reporting requirements include a pre-event listing and a final report within 30 days post-project. Arts Midwest encourages accessibility and provides alternative formats and assistance upon request prior to January 8, 2026. For questions, applicants can contact the grants office at grants@artsmidwest.org or call 612.238.8005.

Reviewers prioritize artistic excellence, credentials of teaching artists, meaningful engagement with juvenile audiences, and adaptability to justice system constraints.