Special Awards in the Arts

The Gerbode Foundation's Special Awards in the Arts Program, established in 1987, has been a cornerstone in supporting new works across dance, theater production, and music composition. The program has consistently backed culturally and aesthetically diverse works by emerging, mid-career, and legacy artists. These grants have supported artists at critical junctures in their careers; enabled local nonprofit artist-centered groups to produce original works; and enriched Bay Area audiences by showcasing the region’s most promising new works.

Please click here to view Special Awards in the Arts recipients since 1987.

This program is made possible with generous support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

2025 Theater Production Awards

The Gerbode Foundation is pleased to announce a $400,000 fund for the creation and development of new theater productions by California writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, and theater-makers. The new works will be commissioned and produced by Bay Area nonprofit artist-centered organizations with annual budget sizes of $60K to $3M that can apply for grants of $50,000 each.

Program Goals

  1. Support the creative process involved in developing new work.

  2. Recognize the exceptional contributions of innovative writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, and theater-makers.

  3. Support projects that represent diversity in gender-expression & identity, race, ethnicity, culture and are inclusive of individuals of all abilities.

  4. Support artist-centered organizations in their commitment to commission, develop, and produce new work by California artists.

  5. To support organizations and companies that are deeply rooted in Bay Area communities and have a positive impact within these communities.

Program Guidelines

View Program Guidelines here.

Download Guidelines here.

Gerbode Application Form & The Common App

The Common App is a collaboration between funders and grantmakers with unique histories and objectives. The 2025 Theater Production Awards is a part of the Common Application for the Arts – Bay Area (“Common App”) – an initiative in which participating funders use standardized questions to help create greater efficiency for grantseekers.

The information requested in our Application Form aligns with the Common App with notations in parentheses. While the intent of the Common App is to provide an easy copy-n-paste from the Common App template, be mindful of our program’s goals and criteria. Consider making minor revisions to ensure responses address the specific nuances of the 2025 Theater Production Awards program.

Download Gerbode Application Form (Word doc) here.

Download the Common App template here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please review FAQs here.

Program Contact Information

Olivia Malabuyo Tablante
Program Director

Email: special.awards@gerbode.org

Program Updates

February 27, 2025

2025 Theater Production Awards application process opens. Download the Press Release here.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4pm (PST)

2025 Theater Production Awards application deadline. Application materials emailed to: special.awards@gerbode.org

February 2026

2026 Music & Sound Design Awards round announced. Program guidelines and application will be made available. Deadline will be in May 2026. Click here to be added to the email announcement list.