OPERA America, a national service organization dedicated to supporting the opera community in the United States, offers the Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants program. This initiative is funded by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and reflects OPERA America’s commitment to increasing gender parity and cultural diversity within the opera field. The grant supports the development of new operas composed by women, facilitating their exploration of the medium and contributing new voices and perspectives to the operatic canon.
The Discovery Grants program provides financial support for activities essential to the creation and development of opera works, including libretto readings, workshops, and working performances. These grants serve to nurture and amplify the work of women composers, helping to address historical imbalances and foster a more inclusive repertoire. OPERA America affirms that enriching the field with diverse life experiences, cultural backgrounds, and artistic narratives is essential to the future of opera.
Applicants must be women composers who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. In order to access the full application, prospective applicants are required to submit an “Intent to Apply” by September 20, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The completed applications are due by October 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Adjudication will occur in December 2024, with award notifications sent out by January 31, 2025. The funded grant period runs from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the provided grant guidelines and application worksheets, all of which are accessible through OPERA America’s Grants Portal. These include PDFs for the guidelines and intent/application questions, along with a budget template in XLSX format. All submissions must be completed through the official portal.
Recent grant recipients include composers such as Jamey Guzman, Wang Lu, Angélica Negrón, and Emily Wells, among others. Their awarded projects represent a diverse range of themes and collaborative partnerships, reinforcing the program’s mission to uplift women-led creative endeavors in opera. For assistance or questions about the application process or eligibility, applicants may contact OPERA America via email at Grants@operaamerica.org or by phone at 646.699.5236.
