New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program is sponsored by Kenneth Rainin Foundation. This program provides unrestricted and artist fee support to small and mid-size arts organizations to enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary dance, theater, and multidisciplinary works that push artistic boundaries and are relevant to the communities they serve.

Geographic focus: San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties)

Focus areas: Arts, Dance, Theater, Performing Arts

New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program - Kenneth Rainin Foundation New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program The NEW Program provides unrestricted and artist fee support grants to dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations.

The NEW Program supports small and mid-size dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations with grants of $5,000-$30,000 to enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary projects relevant to the communities they serve. Since 2015, this program has awarded over $6 million to 204 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.

Emergent Landscapes performance at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Photo credit: Rich Lomibao We’re accepting applications for the NEW Program from March 3-24, 2026, at 11:59 PM PDT. We 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 .

Important Application Dates Pre-Application Workshop: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12-1 PM. Application Period: March 3-24, 2026, at 11:59 PM PDT Grant Period: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028. Performances must have production dates after July 1, 2026.

One-Stage Application Process Application: All grant application materials must be submitted using GivingData, the Foundation’s online application system, during the application period window. The application in our grant application portal aligns with The Common Application for the Arts (The Common App).

While 90% of the application questions are the same as The Common App, our application includes a few questions specific to the NEW Program. Download a Word version of our application. If you are planning to copy and paste your information from The Common App into our online system, please be sure to note the word count limits.

Financial Requirements: Project budgets will be required from all applicants. Applicants can elect to use The Common Application project budget template (Excel sheet download) . We strongly recommend including detailed budget notes to provide panelists with insight into your budget calculations.

We will only request applicant financial statements (such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets) from applicants we are recommending for funding. Work Samples: Work samples will be required from all applicants as part of the one-stage application. See frequently asked questions for more.

Grant Review Panel: We will convene a panel of Bay Area dance and theater artists to review applications and make funding recommendations. The Foundation will provide anonymized panel feedback, upon request, to declined applicants. DataArts requirement: The DataArts funder report is not a requirement for the application.

However, if awarded a grant, recipients will be required to submit their DataArts funder report as part of their grant reporting requirements. Applicants who currently have a DataArts profile are strongly encouraged to submit their funder report with their application. The Foundation will waive this requirement for: Organizations with annual budgets under $60,000.

Fiscally sponsored organizations applying to the NEW Program for the first time and that do not currently have a DataArts profile or funder report. Public presentation: Projects must have a public presentation of some kind but are not required to have a fully produced performance component.

For example, grant funds may be used to support research and development, work-in-progress showings, readings, films of project activities, etc. Public presentations may be in-person (in accordance with public health guidelines) and/or virtual. Grant and request amounts: Grants range from $5,000–$30,000. Please request an amount that best suits the needs of your project.

Projects that compensate artists at a significant level will be prioritized. A note about funding levels (for all applicants): We endeavor to fund the full amount of support requested. However, we commit to funding no less than 70% of the requested grant amount for all selected projects.

Grant period: Project activities must take place within the 24-month grant period, July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028. Performances must have production dates after July 1, 2026. The developmental phase of projects may begin before the grant period starts.

A panel of Bay Area artists will evaluate the New and Experimental Works (NEW) Program applications and make funding recommendations. The panelists will use the process described below to score applications. We made it available to improve transparency and to help applicants assess their project’s alignment with the program and whether to apply.

Evaluation of NEW Program applications is based on four criteria, which are assigned a score of 1, 4, 7 or 10. 10 = Exemplary, far exceeds criteria. 7 = Strong, exceeds criteria.

4 = Average, meets criteria. 1 = Weak, does not meet criteria The scores are then averaged, weighted and combined for a total possible score of 100. This process ensures a consistent and equitable approach in the evaluation of applications.

While scores provide a framework for conversation among panel members, they are not the only factor that influences funding decisions. Panelists score each application on the following criteria. Experimentation: The degree to which the project expands the boundaries of dance and theater and supports artists advancing their practice.

Does it impact or shift the artistic practice and/or discipline of the artist(s) in a meaningful way? Do the artist(s) and the project challenge the art form or field (e.g., breaking performance norms, fostering equity, working outside the Western canon, etc.)? Do the work samples reflect an experimental approach?

Relevance and Timeliness: The degree to which the project content addresses timely and compelling issues relevant to the artists and communities it intends to serve. Is the project focus or content timely and relevant to the artist(s) and communities served? Is the artist/organization deeply rooted in and of that community?

If they are not currently part of or serving that community, does it appear they seek to authentically connect with and serve the community? Community Connection: The degree to which the project considers, reflects and/or connects with the unique communities it seeks to serve. Is the artist/organization deeply rooted in and of that community?

If they are not currently part of or serving that community, does it appear they seek to authentically connect with and serve the community? Capacity: The degree to which the project demonstrates a sound scope, plan, and budget. Is there capacity and a reasonable plan for executing the project?

We have provided further explanations of the criteria in our frequently asked questions . Have questions before applying?

Watch the recording and view the slide deck from our pre-application webinar Explore application tips from a past NEW Program review panelist and grantee Read through the frequently asked questions Use our contact form to email Arts Program Staff The Kenneth Rainin Foundation enhances quality of life by championing the arts, promoting early childhood literacy, and supporting research to cure chronic disease.

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