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    1. Home
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    3. Arts Midwest
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    Arts Midwest

    ActiveArts, Culture & Humanities
    Minneapolis, MNWebsite6123410755

    About Arts Midwest

    We believe creativity is the spark that makes the Midwest feel alive, connected, and full of possibility. Join our efforts to strengthen and amplify creativity across the region we call home.

    Focus Areas

    Performing artsVisual artsLiterature and reading programs (NEA Big Read)Jazz and music touring (Jazz Road)Theater and education (Shakespeare in American Communities)Folk arts and culture bearers

    Who They Fund

    K–12 students and schoolsjustice-involved youth / juvenile detention populationslocal community members participating in Big Read/community artscommunity arts organizations and teaching artists

    Funding Style

    About Arts Midwest

    Arts Midwest Incorporated channels most of its grantmaking into Shakespeare in American Communities, with recent awards reaching as high as $85,000 to Kentucky Shakespeare Inc for schools work and $70,000 to Marin Shakespeare Company for juvenile justice programming. That pattern points to a funder that uses named programs to support arts learning, youth engagement, and public-facing performance rather than one-off general philanthropy. Its portfolio also includes Big Read grants for community reading, support for touring and community presentations, and awards for culture bearers and artists with disabilities. Recent grants show a mix of large program awards and mid-sized support to arts organizations across the country, including The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Inc in Florham Park, NJ and Actors' Shakespeare Project Inc in Charlestown, MA. The foundation’s active programs make clear that it funds structured arts participation: reading together, presenting artists in communities, connecting young people to Shakespeare, and supporting folk and visual arts practitioners. Recipients include schools, community arts groups, and organizations working with justice-involved youth.

    What Arts Midwest Funds

    Arts Midwest Incorporated supports several distinct arts and learning lanes. In literature and community dialogue, it gave $40,000 to Lone Star College - Houston North for Big Read, a program built around shared reading and discussion. In school-based Shakespeare work, it awarded $50,000 to Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC for Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools, and similar school grants went to Idaho Shakespeare Festival Inc and California Shakespeare Theater. Justice-focused arts education is another clear theme: Marin Shakespeare Company received $70,000 for juvenile justice programming, while Tennessee Shakespeare Company received $50,000 for Shakespeare Juvenile Justice 2023-2024. The foundation also backs arts-in-community presentation, including $55,750 to Sisseton Arts Council Inc for We the Many: Community Partner and Bush Community Creativity Cohort.

    How Arts Midwest Gives

    Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $12,500, the median is $19,900, and p75 is $25,000. The recent list also shows a smaller number of larger program grants, especially through Shakespeare in American Communities and related initiatives. The foundation appears to fund recurring relationships rather than isolated awards; Marin Shakespeare Company, Ohio Arts Professionals Network, Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Actors' Shakespeare Project Inc, California Shakespeare Theater, and Barter Foundation each appear more than once across 2023 and 2024. Arts Midwest Incorporated is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $5M

    Total Assets

    $12M

    Total Revenue

    $7.1M

    Total Expenses

    $9.6M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $13K and $25K, with a median of $20K.

    25th Percentile

    $13K

    Median

    $20K

    75th Percentile

    $25K

    Geographic Reach

    National49 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Torrie Allen

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    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 41-1000424Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $12M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    program/project-specific supportcohort-based capacity buildingcommunity partnership fundingemergency/relief funding (CARES/ARP)

    Topics

    K–12 arts education (Shakespeare in Schools)arts programming for juvenile justice / justice-involved youthcommunity reading and literacy initiatives (Big Read)community creativity and cultural cohort developmentartist/teaching-artist support and school residencies

    Where Arts Midwest Makes Grants

    Grant recipients are spread nationally, with all recorded grants going to U.S. organizations. Minnesota accounts for 9% of grants, while New Jersey is the top state by grant count. Recent awards reached cities including Berkeley, Houston, Columbus, San Rafael, Charlestown, and Florham Park. The map of giving shows a broad national footprint, with many awards landing outside the foundation’s Minneapolis headquarters region.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Arts Midwest

    What kinds of programs does Arts Midwest Incorporated fund?

    Its active programs include NEA Big Read, Shakespeare in American Communities, GIG Fund, Peter Capell Award, Midwest Culture Bearers Award, Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, and Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants. The grant list also shows support for conferences, juvenile justice arts education, school-based Shakespeare, and community reading programs.

    Does Arts Midwest Incorporated accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including NEA Big Read, Peter Capell Award, GIG Fund, Midwest Culture Bearers Award, Shakespeare in American Communities, Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities, Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants, and GIG Fund: Arts & Wellness.

    What is the typical grant size?

    Typical awards are mid-sized: the p25 grant size is $12,500, the median is $19,900, and the p75 is $25,000. Active program ranges include $2,000–$15,000 for GIG Fund, $5,000–$20,000 for NEA Big Read, and $15,000–$30,000 for Shakespeare in American Communities.

    Do grantees appear more than once?

    Yes. Several organizations recur across 2023 and 2024, including Marin Shakespeare Company, Ohio Arts Professionals Network, Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Actors' Shakespeare Project Inc, California Shakespeare Theater, and Barter Foundation. That suggests ongoing program relationships rather than purely one-time awards.

    Where does the foundation give most often?

    The top state by grant count is New Jersey. Minnesota, the headquarters state, accounts for 9% of grants, and the recipient list is national rather than limited to the Upper Midwest.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Arts Midwest that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Nov 17, 2026Award: $2K – $10K

    GIG Fund: Interstate Touring

    Arts and cultureInterstate touringCreative exchange+2 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be smaller nonprofit organizations located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin, or tribal organizations of any budget size. Organizations must have a UEI, be in good standing with Arts Midwest, comply with federal requirements, and submit only one application. Projects must feature a professional artist or ensemble from outside the applicant's state, include at least two activities including one public performance, exhibition, or workshop, reach an underserved audience, and provide a 1:1 nonfederal match.

    Deadline: Phase 1 due November 4, 2026 at noon Central Time; Phase 2 due November 17, 2026 at noon Central Time.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    South ArtsAtlanta, GA$1,000,0002025ArtsHERE
    Regents of the Univ of Colorado a body corporateColorado Springs, CO$75,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    VICTORIA THEATER ARTS CENTERSaint Paul, MN$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    YOUTH ART TEAMWATERLOO, IA$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    SOUTH ASIA INSTITUTECHICAGO, IL$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    RACING MAGPIERAPID CITY, SD$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    TBEY ARTS CENTER INCMILWAUKEE, WI$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    BI-OKOTO DRUM & DANCE THEATRECINCINNATI, OH$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    MASA CENTERBATTLE CREEK, MI$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    RIVER WEST THEATER INCINDIANAPOLIS, IN$67,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    BEMIDJI COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL INCBEMIDJI, MN$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    BLACK ALPHABET NFPChicago, IL$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    OH SEW POWERFUL INCCLEVELAND, OH$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    MARGINAL ENTROPY INCFort Wayne, IN$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    Allied Media ProjectsDetroit, MI$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    GIRLS ROCK PINE RIDGE INCSPEARFISH, SD$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    UKWAKHWADE PERE, WI$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    FUERZAS CULTURALES BALLET FOLKLORICO DE CEDAR RAPIDS INCCEDAR RAPIDS, IA$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    INDIGENOUS ASSOCIATIONFARGO, ND$55,0002025Cultural Sustainability
    OYE GROUP INCBrooklyn, NY$50,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    CATSKILL MOUNTAIN SHAKESPEARE LTDWest Kill, NY$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE INCNEW YORK, NY$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    IDAHO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INCBOISE, ID$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANYSan Rafael, CA$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    LANTERN THEATER COMPANYPhiladelphia, PA$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    ACTORS SHAKESPEARE PROJECT INCWatertown, MA$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY INCBOSTON, MA$50,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY 01-65CEDAR CITY, UT$45,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    Kilgore Junior College DistrictKilgore, TX$40,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    WRITE OUT LOUDSAN DIEGO, CA$40,0002025NEA Big Read 2024-2025
    SEVEN STAGES INCATLANTA, GA$40,0002025NEA Big Read 2024-2025
    Gateway Regional Arts CenterMt Sterling, KY$39,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    The Pennsylvania State UniversityState College, PA$38,2502025NEA Big Read 2024-2025
    Ohio Area Professionals NetworkLakewood, OH$30,0002025Conference Support
    JUNIOR PLAYERS GUILDDALLAS, TX$25,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    SOUTHWEST SHAKESPEARE COMPANY INCMESA, AZ$25,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    DRAMA CLUB INCNew York, NY$25,8572025Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025
    THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY INCFLORHAM PARK, NJ$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    PORTLAND CENTER STAGEPORTLAND, OR$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    AFRICAN-AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANYSan Francisco, CA$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024
    GUTHRIE THEATRE FOUNDATIONMINNEAPOLIS, MN$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024
    ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INCMONTGOMERY, AL$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    GREAT LAKES THEATER FESTIVAL INCCLEVELAND, OH$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024
    HUDSON VALLEY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INCGARRISON, NY$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024
    NASHVILLE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVALNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    SHAKESPEARE THEATREWASHINGTON, DC$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024
    BARTER FOUNDATION INCORPORATED STATE THEATRE OF VIRGINIAABINGDON, VA$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    QUINTESSENCE THEATRE COMPANYPHILADELPHIA, PA$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    HARTFORD STAGE COMPANYHARTFORD, CT$25,0002025Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025
    OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ASSOCIATIONASHLAND, OR$25,0002025Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    South Arts

    $1,000,000
    Atlanta, GA2025

    ArtsHERE

    Regents of the Univ of Colorado a body corporate

    $75,000
    Colorado Springs, CO2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    VICTORIA THEATER ARTS CENTER

    $67,000
    Saint Paul, MN2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    YOUTH ART TEAM

    $67,000
    WATERLOO, IA2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    SOUTH ASIA INSTITUTE

    $67,000
    CHICAGO, IL2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    RACING MAGPIE

    $67,000
    RAPID CITY, SD2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    TBEY ARTS CENTER INC

    $67,000
    MILWAUKEE, WI2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    BI-OKOTO DRUM & DANCE THEATRE

    $67,000
    CINCINNATI, OH2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    MASA CENTER

    $67,000
    BATTLE CREEK, MI2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    RIVER WEST THEATER INC

    $67,000
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    BEMIDJI COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL INC

    $55,000
    BEMIDJI, MN2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    BLACK ALPHABET NFP

    $55,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    OH SEW POWERFUL INC

    $55,000
    CLEVELAND, OH2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    MARGINAL ENTROPY INC

    $55,000
    Fort Wayne, IN2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    Allied Media Projects

    $55,000
    Detroit, MI2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    GIRLS ROCK PINE RIDGE INC

    $55,000
    SPEARFISH, SD2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    UKWAKHWA

    $55,000
    DE PERE, WI2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    FUERZAS CULTURALES BALLET FOLKLORICO DE CEDAR RAPIDS INC

    $55,000
    CEDAR RAPIDS, IA2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    INDIGENOUS ASSOCIATION

    $55,000
    FARGO, ND2025

    Cultural Sustainability

    OYE GROUP INC

    $50,857
    Brooklyn, NY2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    CATSKILL MOUNTAIN SHAKESPEARE LTD

    $50,000
    West Kill, NY2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE INC

    $50,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    IDAHO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INC

    $50,000
    BOISE, ID2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

    $50,000
    San Rafael, CA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    LANTERN THEATER COMPANY

    $50,000
    Philadelphia, PA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    ACTORS SHAKESPEARE PROJECT INC

    $50,000
    Watertown, MA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY INC

    $50,000
    BOSTON, MA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY 01-65

    $45,000
    CEDAR CITY, UT2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    Kilgore Junior College District

    $40,857
    Kilgore, TX2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    WRITE OUT LOUD

    $40,000
    SAN DIEGO, CA2025

    NEA Big Read 2024-2025

    SEVEN STAGES INC

    $40,000
    ATLANTA, GA2025

    NEA Big Read 2024-2025

    Gateway Regional Arts Center

    $39,857
    Mt Sterling, KY2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    The Pennsylvania State University

    $38,250
    State College, PA2025

    NEA Big Read 2024-2025

    Ohio Area Professionals Network

    $30,000
    Lakewood, OH2025

    Conference Support

    JUNIOR PLAYERS GUILD

    $25,857
    DALLAS, TX2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    SOUTHWEST SHAKESPEARE COMPANY INC

    $25,857
    MESA, AZ2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    DRAMA CLUB INC

    $25,857
    New York, NY2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice 2024-2025

    THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY INC

    $25,000
    FLORHAM PARK, NJ2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    PORTLAND CENTER STAGE

    $25,000
    PORTLAND, OR2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    AFRICAN-AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

    $25,000
    San Francisco, CA2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    GUTHRIE THEATRE FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INC

    $25,000
    MONTGOMERY, AL2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    GREAT LAKES THEATER FESTIVAL INC

    $25,000
    CLEVELAND, OH2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    HUDSON VALLEY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INC

    $25,000
    GARRISON, NY2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    NASHVILLE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

    $25,000
    WASHINGTON, DC2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024

    BARTER FOUNDATION INCORPORATED STATE THEATRE OF VIRGINIA

    $25,000
    ABINGDON, VA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    QUINTESSENCE THEATRE COMPANY

    $25,000
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    HARTFORD STAGE COMPANY

    $25,000
    HARTFORD, CT2025

    Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025

    OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION

    $25,000
    ASHLAND, OR2025

    Shakespeare Schools 2023-2024