Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice Program (US)

Program Specifications

• Each Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice project must meet these requirements:
  • Conduct educational theater programming that explores and illuminates Shakespeare’s text, addressing his work in modern context through frequent contact over a significant number of visits:
    • Examples of activities may include workshops, discussions, seminars, and residencies.
    • Activities may be in-person or virtual.
  • Partner with at least one facility to reach youth in the juvenile justice system:
    • Examples of facilities include detention centers, correctional facilities, court-appointed programs, treatment centers, transition centers, group homes, or educational schools/programs specifically for juvenile offenders or incarcerated youth.
    • Juvenile offenders are defined as youth (age 17 or younger) who have committed a crime or offense that is punishable by law.
  • Engage a minimum of two teaching artists, staff, or personnel in theater education programming:
    • Activities must be led by experienced teaching artists, staff, or personnel with strong credentials and experience working within the justice system.
    • Teaching artists will be required to complete a survey at the midway and conclusion of programming to evaluate the impact of the program on participants.
    • All performers and related or supporting professional personnel should be compensated at no less than the prevailing minimum compensation. (This requirement is in accordance with the regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor in part 505 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.)
  • Participate in virtual and in-person convenings with other grantees:
    • Arts Midwest will host several virtual and one in-person networking and professional development convenings for Shakespeare in American Communities grantees. Travel, lodging, and limited food costs for one company representative will be covered by Arts Midwest for the in-person convening at the end of the grant cycle.

Funding Information

• Applicants may request grant awards ranging from $15,000 to $25,000.
• Programming must take place between August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026.

Eligible Expenses

• Eligible expenses are those that directly relate to your programming. Examples include:
  • Artistic fees for actors, directors, designers, choreographers, etc.
  • Production costs of props, costumes, set, etc.
  • Travel costs associated with touring productions or artist travel
  • A prorated portion of staff salaries;
  • Printing and marketing expenses;
  • Other direct costs associated with the production and educational programming.

Ineligible Expenses

• Unallowable costs include, but are not limited to:
  • Refreshments, concessions, food, and alcohol
  • Fellowships or cash prizes
  • Payment for facilities, purchase of capital equipment, or non-project related administrative expenses.
  • Overlapping project costs between federal awards, whether received directly from a federal agency or indirectly, such as through a state agency or other entity.
  • Entertainment costs, such as opening parties, receptions, or fundraisers designed to raise funds for your own organization and on behalf of another person, organization, or cause.
  • Programs restricted to any organization’s membership; programs must be promoted and available to the general public.

Eligibility Criteria

• Shakespeare in American Communities welcomes applications from 501c3 non-profit professional theater companies located in the U.S. or the Native Nations that share this geography and:
  • Have a minimum of two years’ experience partnering with the justice system to provide theater education programs.
  • Do not have overdue reports or funding moratoria with Arts Midwest.
  • Have a UEI number by late April 2025 in order to receive grant funds.
  • Can comply with Federal eligibility requirements.

Selection Criteria

• Grantees are selected based on:
  • Artistic excellence and merit of programming: The panel will review the content of the theater education programming and the credentials and experience of teaching artists or actors, staff, or personnel.
  • Depth of audience engagement: The panel will consider the plans to address the needs of students of different backgrounds, abilities, ages, and learning styles as well as potential.
  • Planning for success: The panel will evaluate the plan for using the grant funds; a clear plan to navigate and adapt to the practical barriers of partnering with the justice system; and goals that are clearly stated and align with Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice.
  • Resource management: The panel will consider the applicant’s ability to manage and implement their proposed programming. This could include the evidence of the organization’s past work with the justice system; organizational expertise; proven fiscal responsibility; etc.

Application Requirements

• Applicant organization details (EIN, UEI number, annual operating budget, mission statement, organization location information, publicity name)
• Primary contact information
• Short summary of project activities (250 words)
• Project start and end dates
• Grant request amount.

For more information, visit Arts Midwest.