By Simone Garza | The Community Voice
It can be difficult for theater and performing art groups to remain financially stable.
Fortunately, there’s support around the nation to uplift theaters’ unique forms of art.
The Kansas City Melting Pot is the recent recipient of that kind of support. Earlier this month the organization announced recieving a $10,000 “RESPOND” grant from the THRIVE! Uplifting Theatres of Color regranting program administered by the Theatre Communications Group. The grants are exclusively for Black and Indigenous theaters and Theatres of Color based in the United States.
The RESPOND grants provide funding for theaters to address urgent challenges preventing ongoing work within their community.
Linda Williams, General Manager of KC Melting Pot Theatre, said use of the grant funds is unrestricted.
“So you could really use the grant money for anything within your organization to help sustain your organization,” Williams said.
Since the theater is not heavily funded, they will use the funds to help employ artists to build sets and reinforce the overall mission of the theatre.
The Melting Pot was one of 20 organizations across the country selected to receive the RESPOND grant.
Williams said the theater has also applied for a “RECOGNIZE” grant, a separate $50,000 unrestricted grant This grant will also be awarded to 20 Black, Indigenous or theaters of color, with selection based on the theaters demonstrated deep level of service to their chosen communities; a clear vision guiding their on-going and future work; and the highest potential for the THRIVE! program to positively impact their organization..
Recipients of the RECOGNIZE grant will also participate in REBUILD: A Learning Cohort working with BIPOC consultants to strengthen their effectiveness as an organization.
The Thrive program was developed by the Theatre Communications Group, a national organization focused on building a more just and equitable theater environment. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation funded the regranting program.