Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief

This program launched in April 2020. Applications are currently closed.

Theatre Philadelphia distributed micro-grants to 485 theatre workers for a total of $344,000. Click here to view our program report.

For questions about Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief, please contact [email protected].

ABOUT:

Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief will award micro-grants with a sliding scale of $300-$500 to individuals who live in the Philadelphia region, work in theatre, and whose theatre income has been impacted by COVID-19. Individuals who live within a 35-mile radius of Philadelphia's City Hall are eligible to apply. Micro-grants are first-come-first-serve.

Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief includes contributions from the Virginia Brown Martin Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation, CHG Charitable Trust, the June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation, the Victory Foundation, who also provide support to Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore program; support from Linda and David Glickstein Fund at The Philadelphia Foundation, William Penn Foundation Matching Gifts Program, and Anonymous and Individual contributions.

We welcome applications from all individuals who work in the theatre industry, including, but not limited to: performers, administrators, box office/event staff, choreographers, stage managers, designers, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, production staff, musicians, teaching artists, technicians, and service workers.

View and Download: Emergency Relief Program Information

View and Download: Emergency Relief FAQs

ELIGIBILITY:

Emergency Relief is open to individuals working in Philadelphia theatre who have lost income and opportunity due to COVID-19 cancelations. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Applicants must live within a 35-mile radius of Philadelphia's City Hall.
Applicants must be active participants in the Philadelphia Region's theatre community.
Applicants must have evidence of income or opportunity loss while working in the Philadelphia Region's theatre community due to COVID-19.
Applicants must not have another source of income OR a second source of income is also limited.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH TIME APPLICANTS:

Theatre Philadelphia will begin accepting applications for micro-grantees who have been awarded funds but may still have emergent need. While continuing to prioritize first time applicants, the program will begin granting requests for second, third, and fourth time micro-grants as the program budget allows. We ask that applicants meet the following eligibility factors:

Individuals who are still unable to receive income from other sources, including unemployment from the federal government.

If ACCEPTED, we will do our best to expedite the distribution of micro-grants following review and verification of applications, but please allow two to four weeks from the date of submission for processing.

SUPPORT:

Theatre Philadelphia is currently accepting public donations to amplify the total fundraising efforts. Theatres in our region employ thousands of creative professionals and staff each year. The Emergency Relief effort can only cover a fraction of the need demonstrated in our city at this time. All donations will make their way directly into the hands of local theatre artists and workers encountering financial burden.

A donation of $300 will serve as a micro-grant for one individual. No contribution is too small to make an impact. Make a donation and help us spread the word!

Make a Donation
Theatre Philadelphia is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.