We're sorry! Based on your answers, it appears that you are ineligible and do not meet our guideline requirements. See below for possible ineligibility, and go to our website for a full list of eligibility requirements. For questions, contact the LAB team at LAB@tbf.org .
If you answered “false” to “I/we am/are applying for a project that I/we have plans to present to the public (either as a finished work or in progress) between December 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026."
-All LAB-funded projects must be available to Boston and Greater Boston audiences to be seen/experienced in some form during the grant period indicated (December 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026). We cannot support projects that have finished before the grant period begins.
If you replied “false” to “I/we am/are NOT applying for a project that is predominantly a film or visual arts project.”
-LAB grants do not support stand-alone media, visual or film projects. Each of these areas may be components of a project, but the majority of the work must align with the following disciplines: dance, theater, music, opera/musical theater, spoken word, performance art, circus arts, traditional and folk performing arts, and any combination of these.
If you answered “false” to “My/our project is NOT primarily focused on arts education or primarily involves youth.”
-A requirement of the LAB program is that core artistic members of the project must be professional artists over the age of 18. We define a professional artist as someone who has devoted significant time and training to build a career creating, interpreting, presenting, and/or producing works of art. An individual or group comprised of professional artists may perform for younger audiences, and youth can be included in grant-funded performances (for example, in the case of a children’s choir taking part in a larger production). However, projects primarily focused on teaching arts and/or youth work are not eligible for LAB funding.
If you answered “False” to “I am over the age of 18.”
-All applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for a LAB grant.
If you answered “false” to “I, as the primary applicant, will NOT be a full-time student (graduate or undergraduate) in the 2024-2025 academic year.”
-If you, as the primary applicant, will be enrolled as a full-time student (graduate or undergraduate) in the 2024-2025 academic year, you are ineligible to apply for a grant.
If you answered “false” to “My organization is a non-profit with a primary mission in performing arts.”
-Only organization’s whose PRIMARY mission is focused on arts and culture may apply for a LAB grant.
If you answered “false” to “My non-profit performing arts organization has a budget of less than $450,000.”
-LAB grants only support organizations with annual operating budgets of $450,000 or less during the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year.
If you answered “false” to “I/we have NOT received a Live Arts Boston Grant in BOTH 2022 and 2023.”
- Grantees who receive LAB funding for two years in a row are required to take a year off before re-applying. For example, a grantee who received funding in 2022 and 2023 would not be eligible to apply in 2024, but could reapply in 2026.