Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools

Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools is a grant program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by Arts Midwest. The initiative is designed to promote access to high-quality Shakespearean performances and educational programming for middle and high school students across the United States, including U.S. Territories and Native Nations. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional theater companies with at least two years of experience in providing both performances and educational outreach to these student populations. The program aims to deepen students' engagement with Shakespeare's works while fostering arts learning and cultural literacy. Eligible theater companies may apply for grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 to support projects taking place between August 1, 2026, and July 31, 2027. All funded projects must feature performances of a play written by or inspired by William Shakespeare, adaptations of his work, or curated pieces incorporating Shakespearean content such as scenes or sonnets. Actors involved must be compensated at or above prevailing minimum wage rates. In tandem with performances, grantees are expected to provide meaningful educational activities—such as workshops or curriculum-based residencies—led by qualified teaching artists or educators. These activities must allow for direct, real-time student interaction. Additional requirements include reaching at least five underserved middle or high school audiences and participating in a series of virtual and one in-person convening hosted by Arts Midwest. The grant also mandates a one-to-one non-federal match from the recipient, which can include in-kind contributions, volunteer time, or cash and earned revenue. Eligible expenses include artist fees, production and travel costs, and promotional materials, while unallowable costs include refreshments, capital purchases, and fundraising activities. The application process consists of two main steps. First, applicants must submit a mandatory "Intent to Apply" by January 29, 2026. This step collects organizational and project basics. Final applications are due by February 12, 2026, and require detailed project narratives, budget plans, educational engagement strategies, and organizational capacity data. All applications must be submitted through the SmartSimple portal. Organizations may only apply for one Shakespeare in American Communities category per cycle: Schools, Juvenile Justice, or Apprenticeships. Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel of arts and theater experts. Review criteria include artistic excellence, depth of educational engagement, strategic planning for reaching schools, and demonstrated resource management. Notifications of award decisions will be sent by May 2026, with projects starting in August 2026. Arts Midwest offers office hours and accessibility accommodations for applicants, and final project reports are due 30 days after the end of the performance period. For assistance, applicants may contact [email protected] or 612.238.8005.

Emphasize underserved school reach, use credentialed teaching artists, align with Shakespeare's themes and relevance.