The Shubert Foundation, the nation's leading provider of unrestricted funding for the performing arts, has announced a record-breaking $40 million in grants that will benefit 653 not-for-profit theatres, dance companies, academic theatre training programs, and related service agencies around the country.

The funding will benefit a broad spectrum of theatre and dance organizations in both urban and rural areas.

“We are delighted to be able to increase both our funding and the number of grantees yet again this year,” said President of The Shubert Foundation Diana Phillips in a statement. “Our unrestricted grants support not-for-profit live performing arts nationwide at a still-challenging time when support for these organizations remains crucial.

“As production costs have soared while audiences have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels," Phillips continued, "we are gratified to know that our open-door policy and the general operating funds we provide are more appreciated than ever by our growing constituency. Not only is this funding necessary for the recovery and sustainability of these organizations, but it is key to expanding their reach to new audiences as well.”

“Even as we celebrate further recovery from the shutdown, not-for-profit theatre and dance companies continue to face unprecedented challenges,” added Chairman Robert E. Wankel. “By assisting with some of their financial burdens, we aim to help our grantees continue to focus on producing works that will serve, and challenge, the widest possible audience. The Shubert Foundation continues to pursue our mission of ensuring that theatre and dance reach communities around the country, including those who have historically been underserved or underrepresented in these art forms.”

The Shubert Foundation provides general operating support to 484 professional resident theatres and 115 dance companies developing and producing new work across the United States. Funds are unrestricted, which allows organizations to utilize their awards as they see fit. The Foundation has also allocated $730,000 to the NYC public schools in support of arts education efforts.

“New York City is one of the world’s greatest cultural and artistic cities, and that creativity is reflected in the significant support of teacher development and student opportunities in our schools funded by The Shubert Foundation,” stated Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “Theatre arts are an important part of our students’ education, and we are so grateful for our longstanding partnership with The Shubert Foundation—the largest funder of theatre education programs in our NYC Schools—for all they do for our kids.

“From significant support of teacher development and school capacity building to the inspired Shubert High School Theatre Festival and the Shubert/MTI Broadway Junior middle school outreach programs to name a few, The Shubert Foundation supports the range of arts-learning opportunities that nurture our City’s next generation of creative citizens. I applaud their commitment to ensuring students of all backgrounds, abilities and demographics enjoy the unique benefits of having theatre and the arts as a pillar in their education.”

Since 2005, The Shubert Foundation has provided more than $8.6 million to the NYC Department of Education. The Shubert Scholars Program provides another $1.2 million in scholarships to students in university theatre arts programs to help alleviate student debt for early-career artists.

The Shubert Foundation was established in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert in memory of their brother Sam. The Shubert Foundation grants program, which began in 1977, has awarded more than $653 million to not-for-profit arts organizations. For more information, click here.