Since 1999, Albertine Foundation and Villa Albertine have proudly undertaken a comprehensive program dedicated to theater. Albertine Theater aims to encourage and support collaborative endeavors between French and American artists in contemporary theater, circus, puppetry, street theater or hybrid forms by allocating grants to French and American nonprofit venues. Â
Discover the 2024 grantees HERE.
Learn more about the eligibility and application requirements below.
TOURING GRANTS
This grant funds tours, series, or presentation of large-scale productions of French productions in the U.S. and presentations of U.S. productions at major international festivals in France.
— A tour must include at least two different U.S. venues that are financially involved.
— A series consists of a minimum of seven consecutive performances in the same venue OR of multiple works by the same choreographer that form a thematic focus.
— A large-scale production involves a minimum of 10 performers on stage and can be considered even if presented by only one presenter.
CREATIVE GRANTS
This grant supports creations and commissions envisioned collaboratively by France- and US-based artists including:
— U.S. productions of text-based projects by contemporary French or francophone playwrights translated into English (classical French theater is not eligible).
— U.S. productions that involve a France-based director collaborating with a US-based company on a contemporary theater, puppetry, circus, or street theater production.
NB: Villa Albertine has compiled a database of texts by French or Francophone playwrights already translated into American English. If you’re interested, please check the ArtCena- Contxto database, or contact the program officer.
These grants are intended for presenting organizations. Applications from dance companies will be considered only in exceptional cases.
FOR BOTH GRANTS
Applicants must demonstrate a clear artistic and financial commitment towards the project.
Only non-profit organizations are eligible. Individual artists are not eligible to apply.
— U.S. applicants must demonstrate their 501(c)(3) status granted by the IRS.
— French organizations must provide proof of nonprofit status.
Projects must involve active collaboration between artists and organizations from both countries:
— American applicants must present a project that involves France-based artists supported by French cultural institutions.
— French applicants must present a project that involves US-based artists supported by US cultural institutions.
Artistic Criteria:
— The focus is on contemporary and innovative projects; classical French repertory theater is not eligible.
— Priority will be given to projects that involve artists whose work has never or rarely been seen in the partner country and Villa Albertine residents.
— Projects should involve artists whose work reflects the diversity of the French and/or U.S. contemporary artistic scene.
Priority will be given to projects presented sequentially at a minimum of two distinct venues within the United States (applicants must provide letters of commitment).
For a series or large-scale productions, the applications can be considered for a single venue.
Projects presented in the U.S. must be performed in English or with English subtitles. Projects performed in French without subtitles are not eligible.
When performed in France, productions including texts in English must include French subtitles or simultaneous translation.
Please note that French or France-based artists seeking an exploratory/research residency in the United States are encouraged to apply to the Villa Albertine Residency Program. 
Creative and Touring Grants support up to 50% of project costs, covering expenses such as housing, per diem, travel, visa fees, and equipment rentals related to the production, with the following limits:
— $20,000 maximum for Creative Grants
— $15,000 maximum for Touring Grants
— Grants cannot cover operating and front-of-the-house expenses of the presenting organization.
— The budget must include artist fees.
THE 2025 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOW CLOSED.
NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE: TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Theatre & New Forms receives funding from:
Institut françaisFrench Ministry of CulturePrivate Donors
Louise Dodet | Program Officer louise.dodet@villa-albertine.org