2018 Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Launched in 2017 in celebration of the Hewlett Foundation's fiftieth anniversary, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions is a five- year, $8 million commissioning initiative that is the largest of its kind in the United States. The initiative will support the creation of 50 exceptional works of performing arts and their premiere in the Bay Area through grants of $150,000 to Bay Area nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations will receive funding to achieve their creative vision in partnership with the commissioned artists, who may be based anywhere in the world.

The ultimate beneficiaries of the new program will be local audiences, who will be among the first to see important new works in the performing arts premiered in their communities.

The Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions align with our longstanding commitment to providing Bay Area audiences with access to world class performing arts, and it is our hope that the works created will go on to inspire, engage and challenge audiences across the country and around the world in years to come.

Disciplines
Ten commissions will be awarded annually in each of five performing arts disciplines from 2017 - 2021. The recipients of the 2017 awards, in music composition, have been announced.

In 2018, the awards will focus on theater, spoken word, and musical theater.

Applying for a grant
There is a two-step process to apply. First, organizations submit a short LOI identifying the artist they propose commissioning and describing the proposed project. The most competitive applicants will be asked to complete an in-depth proposal for their project, and Hewlett Foundation staff will make the final decision about winners of the awards.

Those interested in submitting a letter of inquiry are invited to view a recording of an introductory webinar, as well as a growing list of frequently asked questions about the commissioning program.

On January 30, the foundation will host a webinar describing the initiative in more detail and inviting questions from participants. Those interested in submitting a letter of inquiry should register to participate.

Letters of Inquiry are due by April 20. Recipients of the 2018 awards will be announced later this year.

Contact: 
Phone: 
Email: 50CHelp@hewlett.org
Website: https://www.hewlett.org/about50commissions/
Grant link: https://www.hewlett.org/apply-hewlett-50-arts-commission/
Deadline: 04-20-2018