The 1/52 Project, a financial grant program that supports early-career theater designers, has announced that it will return for a new cycle in 2025. The 1/52 Project provides monies to designers from historically excluded groups with the goal of diversifying the Broadway pipeline.
The program was created by Beowulf Boritt, who has won Tony Awards for his scenic design of 2014’s “Act One” and 2023’s “New York, New York.” In looking to offer new seats at the table, the program hopes that established designers, currently represented on Broadway, would donate one week of their annual royalties to uplift new and early-career designers.
“As we embark on our fourth year, I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of the theater community, both individuals and businesses, who have funded these grants,” Boritt said in a statement. “Getting to know the brilliant recipients of the grants and watching them begin to reshape theater design has been an extraordinary honor, and I look forward to seeing what they'll do for many years to come.”
Designers of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, especially those who have created in non-traditional venues. All candidates need to have designed professionally for a minimum of three years. Recipients will be awarded based on “talent, creativity, innovation, financial need, and potential for future excellence in the professional theatrical field.” The deadline to apply is March and semifinalists will be notified in May. Recipients will be notified in the fall.
Since its inception, the 1/52 Project has awarded $350,000 in grants. Members of the 2024 cohort each received up to $17,500 in funding.
Additional information, including how to apply for 2025, can be found here.
