Call for Applications: Theatre & New Forms 2026   

I. Touring Grants 

This grant supports tours, series, or large-scale presentations of productions. Funding is offered to French productions in the U.S. and U.S. productions presented 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 either a minimum of seven consecutive performances or multiple thematically focused works by the same choreographer, all presented in the same U.S. venue. 
• A large-scale production must involve a minimum of 10 performers on stage. It may be considered for funding even if presented by a single U.S. presenter. 

II. Creative Grants 

This grant supports creations and commissions envisioned collaboratively by France- and U.S.-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 U.S.-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 are interested in viewing our selection, please check the ArtCena- Contxto database, or contact our program officer Louise Dodet. 

I. 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 U.S.-based artists supported by U.S. cultural institutions.  

Projects must take place between May 1 2026, and August 31, 2027. 

II. Artistic Criteria

• Grants support contemporary and innovative projects. Classical French repertory theater is not eligible. 
• Priority will be given to projects that involve Villa Albertine residents or artists whose work has never or rarely been presented in the partner country. 
• Projects should involve artists whose work reflects the diversity of the French and/or U.S. contemporary artistic scene.  

III. For Touring Grants

• Priority will be given to projects presented sequentially at a minimum of two distinct venues within the United States. The application must include a signed letter of commitment from each collaborating partner.
• For a series or a large-scale production, 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 translations.

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 the presenting organization’s operational and front-of-the-house expenses.  

The budget must include artist fees.  

• The application platform opens on December 1, 2025, and closes on January 30, 2026 
• The application consists of narrative questions and supplemental materials, including artistic project details, a detailed budget, proof of nonprofit status, outreach activities, a communication plan, and additional documents, such as letters of engagement from presenting partners and related project texts. 
• February 2026: Applications will be screened for eligibility by Villa Albertine staff.  
• March 2026: Eligible projects will be evaluated by a committee comprised of French and American performing arts professionals. 
• End of April 2026 : Results will be announced.