In 2021, the country and our city face an ongoing pandemic; the associated economic impacts; and an overdue racial reckoning ignited by multiple acts of anti-Black violence. In this context, we believe that art is a critical force for advancing needed conversations, building belonging, imagining a better future and inspiring us to move towards it. We are proud to once again support visionary performing artists creating new work through Live Arts Boston.
Now in its fifth year, Live Arts Boston (LAB), created with the support and partnership of the Barr Foundation, supports Greater Boston area artists to test ideas, explore collaborations and build skills in the process of generating original work. We invite performing artists, small performing arts organizations, bands, groups of artists, producers and presenters in the Greater Boston area to apply today.
LAB provides up to $15,000 in project-specific funds to create, produce or present new performing arts work for Greater Boston audiences. In addition to funding, grantees will receive project documentation, one-on-one advising, peer networking opportunities and support for other professional development. Funding will support work in dance, theater, music, opera, musical theater, spoken word, performance art, circus arts, traditional and folk performing arts and any multi-disciplinary combination of the above.
Watch the 2021 LAB Information Session to learn more about the program and this year's application process, and scroll down to meet the 2020 LAB grantees.
Applications are closed as of February 10, 5:00 p.m.
Late March: Applicants will be notified if they are being invited for round two of the process
Late April: Round two applications close
Mid-June: 2021 grantees announced
About the Program:
2021 Program and Eligibility Guidelines
2021 Priorities and FAQs
245
projects funded since 2017
$3 million
invested directly in local artists
72%
2020 projects led by artists of color
Since 2017, Live Arts Boston has supported nearly 200 performing artists in music, theater, dance and more, providing well over $2 million in funding in its first three years. In 2020, Animating Democracy released an assessment of the program, exploring how that investment has changed the trajectories of the artists and the Greater Boston community, and providing insights into how the program could evolve and grow for greater impact.
Visit the LAB Impact report page to explore the findings in greater detail, and to download the report.
Support our LAB grantees by attending their performances and productions:
20: Mark Redmond
Mandorla Music at Home: Zahili Gonzalez Zamora Duo
Live virtual event
8:00 p.m.
Free - watch the YouTube premiere here
20: Ifé Franklin
The Slave Narrative of WIllie Mae/An experimental performance piece
Black Market Nubian Square
2136 Washington St.
4:00 p.m.
Free, Details to come
7: Danielle Abrams and Mary Ellen Strom
Lincoln Gave us a Beach
Virtual Event
5:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
14: Ashton Lites | StiggityStackz Worldwide Inc.
Stackin Stylez Freestyle Dance Culture Boston
Virtual Event
5:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
1: Unitas Ensemble
Histoire du Tango
Virtual Event
8:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
3: Ashton Lites | StiggityStackz Worldwide Inc.
Stackin Stylez Freestyle Dance Culture Boston
Virtual Event
5:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
3: Giuseppe Paradiso
Giuseppe Paradiso & Meridian 71
Tiny Whale Yard Concerts, 18 South St., Somerville
6:00 p.m.
Tickets and more information
8-10: Lion's Jaw Performance + Dance Festival
QUEER FUTURES
Virtual Event
10/8-9: 5:00 p.m.; 10/10: 3:00 p.m.
More information coming soon
8: Continuum Dance Project
Screening of "Pairing V: Forage in the Park" (via zoom)
Virtual Event
7:00 p.m.
Free, RSVP Required: Click here for more information
17: Ashton Lites | StiggityStackz Worldwide Inc.
Stackin Stylez Freestyle Dance Culture Boston
Virtual Event
5:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
30-31: Beantown Lockers
Funky Friday
Live Virtual Event
10/30: 5:00 p.m.; 10/31: 1:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here to attend
31: Ashton Lites | StiggityStackz Worldwide Inc.
Stackin Stylez Freestyle Dance Culture Boston
Virtual Event
5:00 p.m.
Free, no RSVP required: Click here for more information
Alice Vogler Arts Educator |
Karthik Subramanian Company One Theatre |
Allegra Fletcher Arts Connect International |
Kirsten Swartz Cambridge Arts Council |
Ann Gregg Independent Producer |
Kristina Latino Cornerscape Artist Management |
Arielle Julia Brown Independent Artist |
Krupp Family Foundation |
Ashleigh Gordon Castle of our Skins |
Laurel Toyofuku Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts |
Bakari Kitwana Rap Sessions: Community Dialogues on Hip-Hop |
Magdalena Gómez Independent Artist/Co-founder and Artistic Director of Teatro V!da |
Bonnie B. Jones TECHNE/High Zero Festival |
Mali Obomsawin Lula Wiles |
Carlos Uriona Double Edge Theatre |
Melissa Li Independent Artist |
Courtney Harge Fractured Atlas |
Michael J. Bobbitt New Repertory Theatre |
Danna Solomon MIT/Boston Circus Guild |
Nadine Martinez West End House |
Deidra Montgomery Culture & Arts Consultant |
Nell Breyer Independent Artist |
DéLana R.A. Dameron Black Art Futures Fund/Red Olive Creative Consulting |
Orlando Hernández Independent Artist |
Di Torres The Record Co. |
Paloma Valenzuela La Gringa Loca Productions |
Dutch ReBelle ReBelle Music LLC/KOREKTHO INC |
Rebecca McGowan Independent Artist |
Emily Ruddock MASSCreative |
Sage Crump National Performance Network |
Guy Mendilow Guy Mendilow Ensemble/Dalcroze Music School of Boston |
Sarah Guerra Cultural Worker |
Heath Marlow New England Conservatory |
Seraah Independent Artist |
J. Cottle Dunamis Inc. |
Shane Silverstein Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston |
Jamilla Deria Fine Arts Center |
Spirit McIntyre Spiritwerks: Music Reiki Facilitation/Trans*Visible/Spirit & Sparrow |
Juan Gudiño Flamboyan Foundation |
Susan Chinsen ArtsEmerson/Boston Asian American Film Festival |
Julia Schachnik American Repertory Theater |
Susanna Bolle Non-Event |
Juma Inniss The Message |
Theo de Castro Ford Foundation |
Justin Charles Hoover Collective Action Studio |
Ty Furman Boston University Arts Initiative |
Kaitlin McGaw Alphabet Rockers |
Yvonne Mendez UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center |