Grants & Funding

Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant: DEADLINE APRIL 29th, 2024

The newest entry in our Roy W. Dean Grants for independent filmmakers is specifically for narrative fiction shorts, live-action or animated, that are 40 minutes or less in length.  

As with their other Roy W. Dean Film Grants, the films need to be unique and make a contribution to society.

Winner of the grant will receive $3,000 in cash and donated services.

Our wonderful donors to the other grants have become donors for the short film grant as well.  Among the donations the winner will receive are:

Click here to see all donations for grant. 

Deadline for submission to the Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant is April 29th, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT

WHY WE CREATED THE ROY W. DEAN SHORT FILM GRANT

Dedicated to helping independent filmmakers fund their films, From the Heart Productions created the Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant in response to the explosion and popularity of short form content. 

Many filmmakers use short films to hone their craft and as a proof of concept for later full length features. From the Heart Productions wants to support their work and encourage them to make films with stories told with passion that enlighten us about our lives and the world we live in. 

Filmmakers can apply at https://fromtheheartproductions.com/grant-application-form/.  

EVERY FILMMAKER GETS HELP FOR THEIR PROJECT JUST BY APPLYING

What sets apart the Roy W. Dean Film Grants from other grants is that every applicant has the opportunity to receive a 15-minute consultation on their film.  Filmmakers can get advice on how to find funding, build up a database of donors or investors, market their film, and more. 

“Wow! This was one of the most valuable conversations I’ve had about getting a short film produced. So much insight and support: really incredible!” Andrew Jonathan Smith

For more information on the grant, please email [email protected] or call 805-984-0098. 

FUTURE DEADLINES:

  • Summer Grant Application, Deadline: June 30th
  • Fall Grant Application, Deadline: October 31st
  • Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant, Deadline: November 30th

THE INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FUND AND THE PREMIERE FELLOWSHIP – Deadline: April 30th

The Individual Artist Fund will provide a direct award of unrestricted funds to three individuals who demonstrate artistic excellence and innovation. This is not a project-based grant. The award is designed for interpretative artists working in various forms such as actors, dancers, and designers, or creating artists who are not seeking project support, or whose project may not be a good fit for CPT based on scope or other factors.

Cleveland Public Theatre will provide:

  • A $5,000 direct cash reward to the artist.
  • Promotion of the Artist as a Premiere Award recipient on CPT’s website, social media, and season materials.
  • A Public Presentation opportunity hosted during the grant period for the artist to share a 5-50 min. award impact report.
  • Note* This is not a project grant and no additional support for the artist is committed from CPT

The Premiere Fellowship will support four artists with a direct award (unrestricted and unattached to the artists project itself) and the development of an original performance project by providing an additional payment to the artist with direct funds for the project, significant underwriting of producorial management, production, rehearsal/performance space, marketing, front of house support etc. CPT will especially focus on Fellowship projects that align with the needs of the field for research and development. We are looking for artists and projects that have groundbreaking, eco-system-changing potential.

Cleveland Public Theatre will provide:

  • $10,000 total for the project including $7,000 to the artist and $3,000 for project expenses (paid by CPT to vendors, artists, etc.)
  • Promotion of the artist as a Premiere Fellow on CPT’s website, social media, and season materials.
  • Line-production and other producorial support for workshop or full production.
  • Rehearsal and performance space.
  • Front-of-house management and marketing materials to support performance and audience engagement.
  • Additional creative mentorship if requested by the artist.
  • Networking opportunities to the artist and internal promotion of the artist nationally to other artistic directors and leaders.
  • Public presentation opportunity hosted during the grant period for the artist to share a 5-50 min. award impact report.

ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS PROGRAM (ADAP) – Deadline: May 1st

The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career.  

Grants are awarded to individual artists at both the emerging artist level ($500) and professional artist level (up to $2,500), with no cash match required. Applicants may receive only one ADAP award per year. Artists with Disabilities Access Program grantees generally receive their full request.

Note: For the purposes of the ADAP program, emerging artists are individuals who have consistently worked in their chosen art form for more than three years, have demonstrated strong artistic potential, and want to develop their careers. Professional artists are individuals who devote a major portion of their time to creating, practicing, performing, or teaching their chosen artform and receive some type of monetary support from this endeavor.

(EGG)CELERATOR LAB – DEADLINE MAY 22ND

The (Egg)celerator Lab is focused on identifying and supporting nonfiction directors working on their first or second feature-length documentary. This program brings together ten projects, with a special focus on women and gender-expansive directors.

In this year-long program, these ten projects will receive:

  • $40,000 USD in grant funding for the production of their feature-length film
  • Monthly mentorship with Chicken & Egg Pictures’ team members
  • Two creative retreats focused on career building and creative development
  • Tailored industry meetings and funder connections
  • Peer support from the (Egg)celerator Lab cohort

The Chicken & Egg Pictures (Egg)celerator Lab for first- and second-time directors is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, and through general operating support from our wonderful community of donors and grantmakers.

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Grants

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture believes that investing in arts and culture inspires our community, builds stronger neighborhoods and ultimately enhances the quality of life for all Cuyahoga County residents. 

This is achieved through our primary grants: General Operating Support, Project Support, and Cultural Heritage.

Assembly for the Arts: Financial & Funding Resources

Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research, marketing that elevates the region, and services for nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses. Put simply, Assembly is here to “expand the pie” and increase equity in Cleveland’s arts and culture industries. It is governed by a volunteer board with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. More than 50% of Assembly for the Arts board members are women or non-binary people and more than 40% are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Assembly by design operates in close partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a government agency and Assembly for Action, a 501(c)4 political action nonprofit to serve the entire creative sector.

Ohio Arts Council Grants

The Ohio Arts Council’s grant programs are grouped into four categories supporting organizations, arts learning, and individual artists:

  • Operating Support | Awards to support an organization’s operations  
  • Project Support | Awards to support organizational projects 
  • Arts Learning | Awards to support purpose-driven experiences for educators and learners of all ages 
  • Individual Artists | Awards that recognize excellence, preserve cultural traditions, and offer developmental support 
  • Learn more about the grants they offer in each category by clicking here.

Artists with Disabilities Access Program | Provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Opportunities For Artists

SPACES commissions artists from around the world—at all stages of their careers—to make new work that is responsive to timely issues. They use these projects as a jumping off point to create educational initiatives that help develop a more informed citizenry. They also distribute grants to artists outside of their residency and exhibition programs.

Think Outside The Box Office

In writing his book Think Outside the Box Office (TOTBO), Jon Reiss drew on his own experiences distributing his film Bomb It, in addition to interviews with countless other filmmakers, distributors, publicists, web programmers, festival programmers and marketing experts to create the first step-by-step nuts and bolts guide to marketing and distributing a film in the 21st century. Jon’s goal was to provide a written resource to help other filmmakers and media content creators achieve their goals in distributing and marketing their films.

This mission continues, but now includes a live educational experience to accompany the information found in the book. 

Decentralized Pictures Foundation

Decentralized Pictures (DCP) is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization seeking to discover new and innovative filmmaking talent. They run a democratic film fund that allows their online community of creatives, film fans, and industry professionals to decide who is most deserving of their support. Submit your film idea, and if the world loves it, they’ll help you make it.

Andrews/Bernard Award

Steven Soderbergh’s production company, Extension 765, launched a $300,000 pot of money in April on DCP’s platform. The Andrews/Bernard Award will help multiple filmmakers find the funds needed to finish their English-language fiction features or shorts.

INCLUDES 1 – $100,000 GRANT AND 1 – $200,000 GRANT