Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is pleased to announce the application launch of THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color. With $1,635,000 in support from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, TCG is working in partnership with an Advisory Circle of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC*) to provide unrestricted funds for Black theatres, Indigenous theatres, and Theatres of Color (BITOC*) based in the U.S. (including Tribal Nations and U.S. Territories). THRIVE! will provide two grant opportunities, RESPOND and RECOGNIZE, as well as host REBUILD: A Learning Cohort, which will strengthen participating theatres’ effectiveness in areas such as financial planning, crisis management, scenario planning, and program evaluation.
“For too long, funding in the theatre sector has mirrored the racist inequities and scarcity mindset of our broader culture,” said Teresa Eyring, executive director, and CEO, TCG. “Yet through their ingenuity and tenacity, Theatres of Color have abundantly served their communities. As our country continues to reckon with systemic racism, we know that BITOC will continue to lead the way. That’s why, as part of our new strategic plan and mission, we’ve committed to centering BITOC and BIPOC theatre-makers in all our programming, knowing that when we do, the whole of our field will benefit. THRIVE! was developed in alignment with that new plan and is a critical part of our mission to lead for a just and thriving theatre ecology.”
“In last year’s Field Conversations, we heard directly from BITOC leaders and worked to incorporate valuable learnings into THRIVE!—not all BITOC have tax-exempt status; unrestricted funds are both the most difficult to source and the most essential; the theatre’s budget size should not determine the level of funding; community relationships are assets and in-kind contributions should be included as part of their operating budget” said Emilya Cachapero, TCG’s Director of Grantmaking Programs. “TCG is committed to collaborating with colleagues in the grantmaking and theatre sectors who are dedicated to challenging funding inequities.”
To address historical funding inequities (learn more in the program guidelines here), a minimum of 30% of the grants will be awarded to Indigenous theatre organizations, a minimum of 20% will be awarded to Black theatre organizations, with the remaining amount open to all other Theatres of Color.
The two grant categories for support are:
- RESPOND: 25 rapid response grants of $10,000 each, unrestricted. RESPOND grants aim to address immediate, time-sensitive challenges that prevent ongoing work with their community. Recipients of RESPOND grants will still be eligible to apply for RECOGNIZE grants.
- RECOGNIZE: 20 general operating grants of $50,000 each, unrestricted. RECOGNIZE grants will be awarded to BITOC demonstrating a deep level of service to their chosen communities; a clear vision guiding their on-going and future work; and the highest potential for the THRIVE! program to positively impact their organization
During the grant program period RECOGNIZE grantees will participate in REBUILD: A Learning Cohort, working with BIPOC consultants to strengthen their effectiveness in specific areas that may include financial planning, crisis management, scenario planning, and program evaluation. Additional opportunities will be created for peer learning through grantee virtual meetings on selected topics, which will include disability and Transgender and Gender Nonconforming inclusion.
To learn more about the program: https://circle.tcg.org/resources/grant-professional-development-programs/thrive
The Advisory Circle members include: Andrea Assaf, Founding Artistic Director, art2action; Miranda Gonzalez, Producing Artistic Director, Urban Theatre; Andre Harrington, Professor of Design at California State University, San Bernardino; Dr. Nicole Hodges Persley, Artistic Director, KC Melting Pot Theater; Leslie Ishii, Artistic Director, Perseverance Theatre and Board President, Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artist; Jonathan McCrory, Executive Artistic Director, National Black Theatre; Alexandra Meda, Artistic Director, Teatro Luna; Kate Moore Heaney, Artistic Producer, Noor Theatre; Meena Natarajan, Executive and Artistic Director, Pangea World Theatre; Ryan Opalanietet Pierce, Artistic Director, Eagle Project; DeLanna Studi, Artistic Director, Native Voices; K. Zaheerah Sultan, Founder and Executive Director of Mind Your Business Art; Meredith Suttles, Managing Director, Marin Theatre Company and Steering Committee Member, Black Theatre Commons; and Torange Yeghiazarian, Founder, Golden Thread Productions.
TCG is inspired by the writings of W.E.B DuBois and defines BITOC as organizations that have been founded by, for, about, with, and near BIPOC communities. THRIVE! recognizes that communities of color often disperse beyond one geographic area. Also, during this pandemic time, TCG recognizes the difficulty of being in physical proximity to community members. For these reasons, TCG defines “near” and “with” broadly to include digital and cultural proximity. In addition to these elements, BITOC are led by BIPOC.
*A note about terminology: BITOC and BIPOC are terms used here for solidarity purposes representing a multiplicity of racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. We acknowledge that the terms “BITOC” and “BIPOC” are imperfect, not universally embraced by many who identify as People of Color and/or People of the Global Majority, and that language is in a constant state of reimagination and redefinition. For reference, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color represent over 80% of the global population. It is possible that during the program period, the language may shift again.
The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, and child well-being, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation focuses its support to the performing arts on contemporary dance, jazz and theater artists, and the organizations that nurture, present, and produce them. DDCF is one of only two foundations in history to have received the National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, in special recognition of DDCF’s support of creative expression across the United States and “bold commitment” to artistic risk, which has helped performing artists share their talents and enriched the cultural life of the nation.
Further information from Theatre Communications Group (TCG): www.tcg.org
