The New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program supports small and mid-size dance, theater, and multidisciplinary arts organizations to enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary projects relevant to the communities they serve.
Donor Name: Kenneth Rainin Foundation
State: California
County: Alameda County (CA), Contra Costa County (CA), Marin County (CA), San Francisco County (CA), San Mateo County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/24/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The NEW Program provides unrestricted and artist fee support grants to dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations.
The NEW Program prioritizes:
- Small and mid-size arts organizations with annual budgets of $10,000-$2 million.
- Projects that support artists to deepen or experiment within their individual practice and/or expand the boundaries of dance and theater.
- Compelling projects relevant to the communities they serve.
- Unique artistic collaborations.
- Projects that compensate artists at a significant level.
- Productions in outdoor, site-specific or alternative venues.
- Projects with activities in San Francisco and Oakland.
Funding Information
Grants Up to $5,000-$30,000.
Grant Period
July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028.
Eligibility Criteria
They accept applications from applicants that meet the following criteria.
- Tax status: Nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors (requires a written agreement).
- Geography: Organizations must be based in and/or have a demonstrated history of operating in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. The Foundation prioritizes support for projects that take place in San Francisco and Oakland. See frequently asked questions for more.
- Artist residency: The majority of artists supported by the project must be based in and/or have a demonstrated history of producing and working in in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. However, artists supported through the grant are not required to reside in one of the eligible Bay Area counties.
- Annual budget: Organizations must have at least a $10,000 annual budget for their last closed fiscal year.
- For applicants that don’t meet minimum budget requirement: If your last closed fiscal year budget does not meet this requirement, but you have had an annual budget of at least $10,000 within the last three years, please submit that prior year budget with your application.
For current and previous Foundation grantees: - If you received a NEW Program grant in 2025, you are not eligible for funding in the 2026 cycle.
If you received a NEW Program grant in 2024 and have completed the project and submitted your grant report by the application deadline, you are eligible to apply.
Current Open Spaces Program grantees who are interested in applying should contact Arts Program Staff.
For more information, visit Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
