Grant Information
Arts Access Grant
The Arts For Autism Arts Access Grant is offered annually. Individuals or organizations that serve or will serve people on the autism spectrum may apply. Funds granted need to have a direct and immediate effect on the lives of people impacted by autism and must be used to expand or increase access for individuals to participate in or enjoy the arts. The minimum request is $1,000 and the maximum award is $5,000. People on the autism spectrum are encouraged to apply. One Arts Access Grant will be awarded annually.
Application Deadline: October 1st, 2023
Grant will be awarded by December 31st, 2023
Community Access Grant
The Arts for Autism Community Grants will be offered to applicants on a rolling basis and are available to individuals or organizations that will serve people on the autism spectrum. The grant may be used for a wide range of projects (including arts-related), but funds granted need to have a direct and immediate impact on improving the lives of people on the autism spectrum. The minimum request is $1,000 and the maximum award is $5,000. People on the autism spectrum are encouraged to apply. Grants will be awarded based on available funds.
Application Deadline: October 1st, 2023
Grants will be awarded by December 31st, 2023
If you are unable to view or complete the application online, please email or call us for assistance.
info@artsforautism.net • 917-475-4580
How Are the Grants Awarded?
Our newly established advisory board will oversee the granting of funds raised at the Arts For Autism benefit concert. The board was formed in 2022 in response to community feedback about where money raised is being donated. We are excited to see where they decide to make an impact to support the autism community this year and beyond! Check our site later this summer for updates.
Members of the Advisory Board:
Christine Biernacki | Attorney & mother of autistic children
Deborah Bonomo | Speech Language Pathologist
Andrew Duff | Autistic actor from the TV series As We See It
Jill Frutkin | Actor & creator of theater curriculum for Stages on the Sound
Kelvin Moon Loh | Broadway Actor
Andy Paris | Emmy nominated actor and writer known for The Laramie Project & Uncommon Sense
Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg | Pediatrician & mom of autistic son
Recipients of the 2022 Arts for Autism Access Grants:
Shining Stars Network | $5,000
Shining Stars Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Cranford, NJ that is dedicated to shining a light on the special needs community through media, events and experiences. Shining Stars Network plans to use this grant towards the cost of renting The Union County Performing Arts Center for a performance in 2023.
ELIJA (Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism) Transitional & Programming Services (TPS) provides a multiyear, comprehensive, and scientifically validated curriculum for young adults transitioning into academic and work environments. They will be using this grant to offset the food costs for their Culinary & Baking Arts Program, which is offered to the young adult and adult ASD population.
The Miracle Project | $3,000
The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theater, film and expressive arts program focused on building communication, self-esteem, job and social skills for neurodiverse and/or disabled individuals. This grant will be put towards Miracle Movement, which is a component of all the classes at The Miracle Project.
Spotlight Theater | $3,500
Located in Castle Rock, Colorado, Spotlight Theater aims to provide broad access to theatre experiences by offering programming that reaches out across diverse backgrounds to engage with youth of all ages. Spotlight Theater will put this grant towards their goal of opening a specific cast for students that are on the autism spectrum and students with other disabilities.
The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will be using this grant towards their Low Sensory Night (LSN) events, which seek to provide an inclusive night of theatre for individuals and families living with diverse sensory needs.
Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America | $3,750 Awarded
The purpose of NSASA is to improve the daily quality of life for individuals with autism within our local communities. We are requesting this grant to help support individuals with autism, regardless of their age.
Actionplay, Inc. | $5,000
Actionplay is a NYC-based theatre organization dedicated to providing autistic, neurodivergent, and disabled teens and young adults with equal access to the theatre making process. This grant will support their Action-Improv-Musical-Series (AIMS), a program where autistic teenagers and young adults team with neurotypical peers to hone improv skills and create and present original works in New York City venues.
Making Light | $3,500
Making Light Productions is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing an inclusive theatre arts education for children, teens, and adults of all abilities, as well as providing job opportunities for adults with disabilities. Making Light Productions will put this grant towards their first live production, A Year with Frog and Toad, based on the classic children’s books by Arnold Lobel.
This grant will be supporting a week-long production of Kinderkrankenhaus at the Brick Theater in Brooklyn during the last week of September 2023. Kinderkrankenhaus is set in a children’s hospital in an unknown time and place, though the setting is inspired by a
long history of hospitalization and medical intervention related to neurodiversity. The 10-person cast will be inclusive and the starring roles will be held by young neurodivergent actors from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Presented By
Educational Travel Adventures (ETA) & Believe NYC
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info@artsforautism.net
917-475-4580
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