Update: The NEA Pulled Our Funding

In November 2024, PlayPenn received news that we had been awarded a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts — the first since 2022. The grant was intended to help fund our 2025 New Play Development Conference, a vital event supporting new theatrical voices.

Our application was withdrawn May 2, 2025.

Here is the letter from the NEA:

Pursuant to the Offer letter, the tentative funding recommendation for the following application is Withdrawn by the Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts will no longer offer award funding for the project.

Applicant: PlayPenn, Inc.

Period of Performance: January 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025

Tentative Funding Recommendation Amount: $15,000.00

The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President. Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities.

The NEA will now prioritize projects that elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities.

Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration’s agenda.

Your project, as noted below, unfortunately does not align with these priorities:

Purpose: To support PlayPenn’s new play development conference