THE SUPPORTING ARTIST FUND (SPA) GRANT PROGRAM

Purpose: The purpose of the Supporting Performing Artists Fund (SPA) is to promote the performing arts and to develop the talent of select performing artists. SPA seeks to make grants to encourage and nurture performing artists at critical points in their career. Successful applicants can receive up to a $10,000 grant.

Guidelines: Successful applicants to the SPA Fund will:

  • Already be involved in their chosen career in choreography, dance, musical performance (instrumental or voice) music composition and/or theatre (acting or writing);
  • Have a portfolio which includes professional accomplishments, including major works or major performances, fellowships, grants, prizes, honors, teaching and residencies etc.;
  • Demonstrate the ability to accomplish the task outlined in the application;
  • Maintain a residence in Berks County; and
  • Include an outcome-based project evaluation plan.

Eligibility: Anyone who is a performing artist in the field of choreography, dance, music performance (instrumental voice), music composition or theatre (acting, writing).

Application Procedures:  Individual performing artists may apply at anytime.

After receiving and reviewing the application, a Community Foundation staff member may schedule an individual interview with the applicant. The staff member may request additional information and/or forward the application to the Community Foundation’s Support Performing Artists Fund Committee. The Support Performing Artists Fund Committee may request additional information and/or set up an additional interview. The Support Performing Artists Fund Committee will then forward a recommendation to the Community Foundation president for final approval.

The amount of time required to consider an application will vary with the complexity of the application, but applicants should consider 90 days from the date the application is received by the Community Foundation to be the norm.

Staff Contact:  For more information on this program, contact Richard Mappin, Vice President for Grantmaking at 610-685-2227 or richardm@bccf.com

Click here to download an application for the Support Performing Artists Fund.

If you have questions, please contact Rick Mappin via email at richardm@bccf.org or by phone at 610.685.2223.