Deadline: 22-Dec-22
The Opera America is seeking applications for the Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants to support the development of new operas by women-identifying composers, advancing the important objective to increase gender parity and diversity across the field.
Discovery Grants support women-identifying composers in their exploration of opera as an artistic medium, providing funding for activities such as libretto readings, workshops, and working performances.
OPERA America believes that different perspectives, cultural histories, life experiences, and personal stories enrich the operatic repertoire. OPERA America is committed to supporting creators who reflect the diversity of the nation.
Opera Grants for Women Composers are supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Funding Information
Grant recipients will receive:
- $15,000 to support costs associated with the production of a workshop, reading, or other performance-based event.
- Complimentary registrations, transportation, and housing stipend (valued at $2,250) to attend OPERA America’s Opera Conference and New Works Forum.
- An OPERA America individual membership.
- An announcement in the Opera America Magazine.
- Supported works will be considered for presentation at future forum events.
Duration: Grant Period: April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Supported Activities
- Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants support the exploration of opera as an artistic medium through such activities as:
- A Libretto Reading: a reading in which the devised literature is read aloud for evaluation.
- A Workshop: an informal performance of some or all of a work to obtain feedback on specific elements of the piece. Workshops might be performed with piano and/or instrumental accompaniment.
- Working Performance: a partial or full run-through of a work, with piano or instrumental accompaniment, to obtain feedback for the further development of the piece. An audience may or may not be present.
- Other eligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- Costs incurred to create or prepare new musical materials, such as expanded or reduced orchestrations and copyist expenses for the creation of parts;
- Other specific expenses associated with the development of a new opera;
- Production design development; and
- Dynamic promotional materials.
- Projects which are more fully-developed will be given priority in determining funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must self-identify as women composers and have U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
- The applicant must self-identify as a woman composer.
- Applicants must have U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. (Proof of citizenship will be requested.)
- Applicants must demonstrate their ability to write music and/or text by providing work samples.
- The applicant must be the composer, who serves as the fiscal agent for the project. The composer must apply for the grant, disburse all funds received, and provide all required financial and narrative documentation. The work of each applicant remains the property of the composer.
- Funding may not be applied to expenses incurred before April 1, 2023.
- Grant-funded activities must be completed by June 30, 2024.
- This program is open to composers from all performing arts disciplines.
- Applicants whose work received a Commissioning Grant from OPERA America in any previous cycle are ineligible to apply for a Discovery Grant.
- Applicants who were awarded a Discovery Grant in any previous cycle are ineligible to apply for additional Discovery Grants. Applicants may only submit one proposal per cycle.
- Applicants may only submit the same work for consideration for three cycles of this granting program.
- Applicants who have applied unsuccessfully in two cycles with the same piece must articulate the substantive changes made since the last cycle in their intent to apply. Changes may include but are not limited to:
- Rewriting of the text and/or music;
- Restructuring of the dramatic arc; and
- Change in librettist or other key personnel.
- A piece that has already had its premiere may be considered for a Discovery Grant provided the submission represents a substantial reworking of the piece.
For more information, visit Opera America.