2025 Call for Applications: Theatre & New Forms

TOURING GRANTS

This grant funds tours, series, or presentations 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.  

 Projects must take place between May 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2026. 

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.  

FOR TOURING GRANTS

• 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 application platform opens on December 5, 2024, and closes on January 31, 2025, at 11:59PM EST. 

The application consists of narrative questions and supplemental materials, including artistic project details, a detailed budget, proof of nonprofit status, outreach activities, a communications plan, and additional documents, such as letters of engagement from presenting partners and related project texts. 

February 2025: Applications will be screened for eligibility by Villa Albertine staff.

March 2025: Eligible projects are evaluated by a peer artistic committee comprised of French and American performing arts professionals.

End of April 2025: Results will be announced.

APPLY HERE

What is Theatre & New Forms?  

• Theatre & New Forms is a program of Villa Albertine in partnership with Albertine Foundation that provides grants to non–profit organizations supporting contemporary theatrical forms (such as theater, circus, puppetry, street theater, and hybrid forms) between France and the United States. 

What are the deadlines? 

• The application platform opens on December 5, 2024 and closes on January 31, 2025 at 11:59PM EST. Projects must take place between May 1st, 2025, and August 31, 2026. 

Can you present my performance? 

• Our organizations are not presenters, nor do we have performance spaces. However, we facilitate and initiate connections between French and American professionals. 

I want to present a production for a young audience. Is my project eligible? 

• Yes, as long as it meets the program’s criteria above. The THEATRE & NEW FORMS program does not differentiate projects based on a target audience. 

Will you organize my U.S. tour? 

• No, Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation do not organize U.S. tours. However, if a U.S. presenter is interested in your performance, our program officer can help them connect with potential partners. 

I am a U.S. presenter interested in a French production. Can you provide information about performances available for touring? 

• Yes! Please contact the program officer who will be happy to assist you in navigating the French creative landscape. 

I am the producer of a French theatrical production, can I apply? 

• Except in specific cases (to be discussed with the program officer prior to applying), companies are ineligible. The program is intended for performance venues, festivals, and institutions that invite artists. 

I am a France-based artist with a creative project that requires research in the U.S. Can I apply for a THEATRE & NEW FORMS grant? 

• No, THEATRE & NEW FORMS is not designed for research projects. However, we encourage you to explore our Villa Albertine residency program and apply if it aligns with your project. 

I am a U.S.-based director, and a major French festival wants to present my work. Should I apply? 

• Congratulations! While you cannot apply directly, the French festival may be eligible. Encourage them to reach out to us for guidance. 

We are a U.S. dance company inviting a French director for a new creation. Can we apply? 

• Yes, you may apply for a Creative Grant. 

We are a group of American venues presenting a France-based artist. Which one of us should apply? 

• While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, the venue managing visas, travel, and set transportation is typically the main applicant. Alternatively, multiple partners can apply, provided each clearly outlines their financial contributions in the “shared costs” table. 

I am a French director working with American dance students. Can I apply to THEATRE & NEW FORMS? 

• THEATRE & NEW FORMS does not support teaching- or student-focused creative projects. However, collaborations between French and U.S. choreographers may be eligible, depending on the project and lead organization. 

If awarded a grant, can you help with visa applications for the artists involved?

• No, visa applications must be processed through the appropriate U.S. agencies. While Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation cannot handle the applications directly, we can recommend attorneys who specialize in artist visas. 

I want to present multiple works by the same artist but don’t have other U.S. venues as partners. Can I apply? 

• Yes, you can apply. If your venue focuses on presenting multiple works by the same French artist within a specific timeframe, the project is eligible for a touring grant. 

Can I apply if additional partners join after the deadline?

• Yes, as long as you meet the requirements when applying. Additional partners can join at a later stage. 

Where can I find examples of past THEATRE & NEW FORMS-funded projects? 

• You can view a list of past grantees here.

Why doesn’t THEATRE & NEW FORMS support dance? 

• Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation have a separate program for contemporary dance. Learn more about FUSED here.

Why are the calculations on the provided budget worksheet not functioning?   

• Only numbers should be entered in the cells highlighted in red. If any words, symbols, or other characters are included in these cells, the calculations will not work. Only the cells highlighted in blue can contain text. 

Can I apply for multiple projects taking place between May 2025 and August 2026? 

• Yes, please submit a separate application for each project. 

Do project artists need to be French or American citizens? 

• No, but the main artists must be clearly affiliated with the French or American artistic scene.

I have a question not answered here. What should I do?

• Contact the Program Officer at: louise.dodet@villa-albertine.org
• Please allow at least seven business days for a response. We also encourage you to check these FAQs regularly, as they will be updated based on the questions we receive.