Grantee Database
WAYWARD ARTIST INC
Grant Year
2025-26
Grant Program
General Operating Support
Award Amount
$16,200.00
Project Description
The Wayward Artist is a nonprofit theater company in Irvine, California, dedicated to producing innovative, inclusive, and community-driven performances. We are requesting General Operating Support to sustain our core operations, including staff wages, rent, utilities, and administrative costs. This funding will support our continued commitment to artistic excellence and equity through programming like Wayward Voices, which uplifts BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists, and by offering accessible, socially relevant productions. Following our move to a new shared space with Irvine United Congregational Church, we are expanding our reach and building deeper community partnerships. General Operating Support will ensure our long-term stability and growth as we remain a creative home for emerging and marginalized artists in Orange County and continue our mission to reimagine theater as a space for radical inclusion, dialogue, and transformation.
Organization Summary
Core Programs and Services – The Wayward Artist
Season of Live Theatrical Performances
We produce 6–8 dynamic theatrical events each year, including full-length plays, musicals, new works, staged readings, and experimental performance art. Our productions reflect a range of genres and voices, often featuring bold reimaginings and socially relevant themes that challenge audiences and amplify underrepresented perspectives.
Internship and Mentorship Programs
We offer hands-on internship opportunities for college, high school, and university students interested in theatre arts, design, directing, and arts administration. These programs connect emerging artists with seasoned professionals, fostering growth, confidence, and a pathway into the arts workforce.
OC Theatre Guild Membership and Collaboration
As an active member of the Orange County Theatre Guild, we contribute to a county-wide effort to strengthen the local arts ecosystem through shared resources, advocacy, and collaborative programming.
Educational Outreach and Partnerships
We engage in educational outreach by partnering with local schools, colleges, and community centers to offer workshops, masterclasses, post-show discussions, and artist talkbacks. These efforts are designed to build bridges between professional theatre and community learning.
Wayward Voices: BIPOC Artist Initiative
Through our Wayward Voices program, we provide a dedicated platform for BIPOC artists to create, develop, and present new work. This initiative includes artist residencies, mentorship, and curated performances that center culturally specific narratives and empower artists to tell their own stories.
Community Engagement and Support
We are committed to being a vital cultural hub in Santa Ana and Orange County. Our events, talkbacks, fundraisers, and partnerships with local organizations foster meaningful community connections. We prioritize accessible pricing, inclusive programming, and active listening to ensure our work serves and reflects the diverse community we call home.
Organization
The Wayward Artist
Address
4915 Alton Parkway
IRVINE
92604
County
Orange
Region
South – Los Angeles & Orange
Phone
(949) 378-0706
Congressional District
District 47
State Assembly District
District 73
State Senate District
District 37
