Grantee Database
Theatre Bay Area
Grant Year
2024-25
Grant Program
Impact Projects
Award Amount
$20,832.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, Theatre Bay Area will sustain and expand its Arts Leadership Residency (ALR), which funds aspiring artistic directors and managing directors in residence at Bay Area theatres for a 12-16 week period during which the residents are mentored by the artistic and/or managing directors and lead a significant mainstage project during the season. Unfortunately, the past corporate sponsor of this program is no longer able to continue their support, so a grant from the CAC will ensure this important leadership pipeline program continues into 2025. The ALR provides $12,000 in funding per resident to the host companies, facilitating deep and substantive mentorship for emerging arts leaders from historically marginalized groups — a vital investment in the long-term sustainability of the Bay Area theatre workforce.
Organization Summary
TBA’s programs & activities:
Professional Development: Includes monthly webinars, roundtables, and the weekly Writers’ Room, in partnership with Z Space. TBA’s major convenings include 1. Annual General Auditions (connecting 200+ actors with 100+ producers and casting directors), 2. Annual TBA Conference (convening 200+ theatremakers for a full day of learning and community building).
Grants & Awards: Include the Hewlett Foundation-funded CA$H Grants program; the Rella Lossy and Glickman Awards for local playwrights; the Arts Leadership Residency Program; the RHE Artistic Fellowship; and the Mary Mason Lemonade Fund. Collectively, these programs will contribute over $175,000 to Bay Area theatremakers in FY26.
Audience Development: TBA helps theatre companies grow their audiences through initiatives like the Postcard Distribution Network, which distributes marketing collateral at 57 locations; Bay Area Theatre Week, which highlights the diverse offerings in our community with targeted discounts and community gatherings; the TheatreGoer e-newsletter delivering monthly show listings and special offers to 12,000 subscribers; and the TBA Highlights program which celebrates productions that meet objective criteria in alignment with our community’s values.
Research & New Initiatives: TBA explores innovative research initiatives and pilot programs that address challenges facing theatremakers. TBA’s Shared Services Project aims to increase administrative efficiency, reduce costs, and support the long-term sustainability of Bay Area theatre. Throughout 2025-26, TBA will pilot elements of the Shared Services program and continue sharing research results with our community so we can co-create impactful programs.
Arts Advocacy: TBA partners with groups like Arts for a Better Bay Area, Bay Area Arts Together, Californians for the Arts, and California Arts Advocates to effect policy change and secure increased arts funding. Recent successes: TBA supported AB280, which created a carve-out for nonprofits, and was involved in efforts related to SB478 and the implementation of the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund.
Doing Business As
Theatre Bay Area
Address
499 Alabama St. #450
SAN FRANCISCO
94110
County
San Francisco
Region
Bay Area – San Francisco
tba@theatrebayarea.org
Congressional District
11th Congressional District of California
State Assembly District
District 17
State Senate District
District 11
