Performing Arts

Sector Initiatives

Cullen Foundation’s Sector Initiatives investment area is an effort to address a variety of capacity-building priorities in the sector through sponsorship of speakers, workshops, professional development, and research for shared, sector-wide advancement.

Sector Initiatives Information

Responsive Grant - Performing Arts

Through our responsive grant process, we offer an open, rigorous, and user-friendly process that evaluates organizations aligned with our specific focus areas. In Performing Arts, we support the disciplines of music, dance, singing, and theatre, and our priority is to fund organizations that have a primary focus on community performances.

Cullen Foundation offers two open responsive grant process cycles each year. The winter grant cycle begins January 1, 2023 and the summer grant cycle begins July 1, 2023.

Action Grants

For past Cullen performing arts grantees seeking less than $7,500 per year, a streamlined and expedited application option is available, the performing arts "Action Grant." All other Cullen eligibility requirements and criteria must be met to apply for this opportunity.

Cullen Fellows

The Cullen Fellows program reflects the foundation’s belief that development of talent is essential to strengthening individual professionals, organizations, and elevating WNY’s performing arts sector as a whole.

The year-long, self-designed program provides substantive new learning opportunities for promising performing arts leaders to move from “success to significance” by providing them with the financial resources to enhance their skills through intentionally selected activities and a customized professional advancement plan.

Collaborative Opportunities

Cullen Foundation’s Collaborative Opportunities empowers WNY’s performing arts sector members the flexibility to create unique partnerships and collaborations and submit such proposals once a year for consideration of funding. Collaborative Opportunities provides sector members an opportunity to showcase and share their creative ideas with Erie County’s residents and visitors through new works, partnerships, and projects.