$37.9 Million Awarded to 635 Arts Organizations
The Shubert Foundation announced a record $37.9 million in unrestricted grants to 635 not-for-profit theaters, dance companies, academic theater training programs, and related service agencies across the country. As the nation’s leading provider of unrestricted funding for the performing arts, grants benefit a broad spectrum of theater and dance organizations—from large to small, from urban to rural. Long committed to a fully open-door policy, The Shubert Foundation further increased access to theater and dance companies across the country by revising requirements for those organizations with the smallest budgets.
“The increase in both our funding and the number of our grantees comes at a critical time for performing arts organizations across the country,” said Diana Phillips, President of The Shubert Foundation. “Unfortunately, many of them continue to be faced with huge challenges—skyrocketing costs, still-hesitant audiences and the end of federal relief funding being key among them. As the need and the merit have never been greater, we are particularly pleased we can expand our funding to a broader range of theater and dance companies than ever before.”
“Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion have long been central to the Foundation’s decision making, as helped by our open-door policy for all applicants. Coupled with the recent lowering of barriers to the smallest companies, this has expanded our reach to companies that focus on bringing professional theater and dance to underserved populations,” said Chairman Robert E. Wankel.
The Shubert Foundation leads the field in providing general operating support to 471 professional resident theaters (you can see the full list of supported theaters at www.shubertfoundation.org/theatre) and 110 dance companies developing and producing new work across the United States. As always, funds are unrestricted, empowering organizations to utilize their awards as they see fit. The Shubert Foundation was established in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert, in memory of their brother Sam. Since the establishment of The Foundation’s grants program in 1977, more than $613 million has been awarded to not-for-profit arts organizations throughout the United States. You can learn more about the work and grants programs of the Shubert Foundation at www.shubertfoundation.org.
Historic Contract
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) recently announced that members working under The Broadway League and Buena Vista Theatrical (d/b/a/ Disney Theatrical) IATSE Pink Contract overwhelmingly voted in favor of the proposed contract. With a 65.5% turnout, the vote passed with 678 members (70.4%) in favor, and 285 (29.6%) against. Pink Contracts cover theatrical professionals, including stagehands, hair and make-up artists, wardrobe personnel, and other essential workers on Broadway productions both in New York and touring across the U.S. and Canada. The agreement covers 45 theatrical shows across the U.S. and Canada, with 17 on tour and 28 on Broadway.
This new agreement heralds a significant moment for the workers covered under the Pink Contract, as this was the first opportunity for these members to vote on the ratification of their agreement. The decision validates their collective voice and highlights a cultural shift within the union towards improved democratic processes with respect to bargaining campaigns. This agreement features several historic gains. The Health Care plan will stay the same for the length of the contract with no added cost to workers. Both Heads and Assistants would see wage increases to match the street rate for touring shows, with Broadway minimum rates increasing to move towards parity with similar workers in other Locals. Employers would be required to provide hotel accommodations and increase the daily per diem, reducing touring workers’ out-of-pocket expenses as hotel and food costs continue to rise. And for the first time ever, the bargaining committee got the employers to agree on language which provides a day off for workers, as the union has emphasized for years. “The strength and unity shown by our members during this process have been remarkable,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “The ratification of this agreement is a testament to their collective power and sets an uplifting precedent for future negotiations.”
[Subhed] An IATSE First
In another historic contract first, IATSE, who as a labor union represents over 168,000 members is always looking to include the breadth of roles that support theater, film, broadcast and live entertainment. As such they are proud to announce that The IATSE Local 154 successfully negotiated and ratified a first contract for the maintenance and custodial workers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). This marks the first time in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees’ (IATSE) 130-year history the successful negotiation of an agreement covering only Facilities/Maintenance and Custodial workers in an American theatrical venue.
While Stagehands at OSF were first organized by Local 154 in 2016 with scenic, props, and costume shop artisans to follow in 2021-2022, facilities/maintenance and custodial did not have a union contract — until now. “This agreement represents a monumental step in the recognition of an essential sector of the entertainment industry, whose workforce has long remained under-appreciated and overlooked,” said IATSE International Representative Amanda Sager.
The 2.5-year agreement, which covers 14 dedicated crew members, brings a host of benefits for Facilities/Maintenance and Custodial workers, including: annual wage increases between 3-5%, healthcare and retirement benefits, just cause and progressive discipline, on-call premium pay, extra payments if workers are not provided adequate turnaround time between workdays, language accessibility in meetings and documents, and a bilingual pay differential. The new contract was ratified unanimously with a vote of 14 to 0. “The Alliance will not rest until all entertainment workers are given the recognition and respect they justly deserve,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “This is more than just a first contract; it’s a bold statement to all underrepresented workers in the industry that their voices matter and their work is valued.”
