Application Guidelines

ABOUT THIS LOTTERY:

IndieSpace is excited to open our 2026 Community Resource Lottery!

The lottery gives indie performing artists, collectives, companies, productions, and venues the chance to receive FREE resources from trusted community partners.

We will be holding a lottery for 21 offerings, so make sure you look over all of the wonderful offerings and apply for any and all that interest you! 

You are welcome to apply using the same application on behalf of yourself or an entity you represent. 

Apply for one, two, or ALL of these amazing offerings in ONE application. These offerings are in collaboration with so many community partners that you likely know and love! 

Be sure to read the instructions for each offering, and be sure that you can commit to the opportunity BEFORE submitting an application for it. 

You may apply to AS MANY offerings as you would like and are eligible for. 

You will only be able to receive ONE, so that we can spread the opportunities to as many people and companies as possible.

The opportunities listed below vary by audience. Various opportunities are for indie performing arts organizations and individual performing artists.

For this lottery, we are using "indie performing arts organization" as an umbrella term for collectives, companies, nonprofit organizations, productions, and venues.

 

LOTTERY OFFERINGS:

Opportunities for Individual Artists

Offering #1: Artist Consulting Package

Provided by: Ensemble Consulting

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $1,250

Free for you!

When's the last time you were able to stop fighting fires long enough to reflect, reconnect to what brought you to this work, see the forest and the trees, and plan your way forward holistically? 

Kristin Patton of Ensemble Consulting supports leaders and organizations through inclusive and values-aligned change processes. They're offering a strategic thinking and planning package designed to inspire, align, and springboard individual artists forward.

Package Includes:

- 1-hour Intro session (virtual or in person)

- 1-hour Project planning session (virtual)

- 3-hour in-person Context Mapping, Reflection, Connections Making Mini Retreat (space provided)

- 2-hour Follow Up meeting to review documentation and identify strategic priorities (virtual or in person)

- 1-hour wrap-up meeting to finalize documentation and next steps (virtual)

Timeline: Designed to be completed within 1-3 months

Time commitment: About 8-10 hours of artist time

For more information about Ensemble Consulting, please visit: https://www.ensembleconsulting.org

 

Offering #2: Behavioral Integrative Therapy Session

Provided by: Debora Balardini

Number of offerings: Three

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $200

Free for you!

Step into a transformative journey with Debora Balardini's enriching Behavioral Integrative Therapy. In this immersive 2-hour session, you'll experience body reading, learn the five principles of integrative therapy, and unlock their myriad benefits. Discover the power of breathwork as you learn to harmonize your mind and tap into your life's purpose.

Debora has expertise as a performer, theatre director, and artist's coach. Sessions transcend traditional therapy, offering tools to integrate mind, body, and emotion. She can expand to groups in a workshop format focused on voice and movement. 

For more information about Debora Balardini, please visit: https://deborabalardinitherapy.com

 

Offering #3: E-Learning Artist Bundle

Provided by: Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP)

Number of offerings: Fifteen

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $40

Free for you! 

TAP's E-Learning Artist Bundle provides vital, accessible education on how to navigate the theater industry. Each course provides a certificate of completion.

Package Includes:

- Know Your Rights: Explore employment classifications, what misclassification means, core protections for all workers (union or not), volunteering, internships, apprenticeships

- Contracts 101 - AEA & Non-Union: Learn persistent disparities in hiring/pay, how to read and leverage contract language to address inequity and workplace harm

- Finance 101: Budgeting, saving, managing income fluctuations, taxes, retirement planning (includes free finance workbook)

For more information about Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP), please visit: https://www.theatreadvocacyproject.org

 

Offering #4: Five Hour Admission to QC Spa New York

Provided by: QC Spa New York

Number of offerings: Five

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $150

Free for you!

QC Spa New York offers an oasis of wellness in the heart of New York City.

During your 5-hour session, you will have access to their signature wellness experience and spa amenities; which include infinity spa pools, luscious outdoor gardens, saunas, steam baths, and relaxation rooms.

IndieSpace will cover the spa admission, which includes the amenities outlined above.

Massage services, food, and beverages are available for purchase by the recipient.

QC Spa New York is open Monday through Sunday and is located at:

12 Andes Road


Governors Island, New York, NY 10004

For more information about QC Spa New York, please visit: https://www.qcny.com

 

Offering #5: Four Session Coaching Arc

Provided by: LaKeshia Lewis at Souled Self Coaching

Number of offerings: Three

Audience: Individual Artists (Women-Identifying Artists)

Value of services: $300

Free for you!

Every artist deserves to show up as the most confident, empowered self in their work. Souled Self Coaching is here to help you do just that. 

You'll engage in a 4-session virtual coaching arc built to reconnect with your voice, build lasting confidence, and move towards your goals with clarity. 

Each session is one-on-one and lasts 60 minutes. Whether it’s balancing your work schedule around auditioning or improving your interview skills, Souled Self Coaching is here to support you.

Please note: Souled Self Coaching is specifically for women/women identifying artists.

For more information about Souled Self Coaching, please visit: https://souledselfcoaching.com

 

Offering #6: 1-on-1 Financial Coaching Sessions

Provided by: Get Shameless, Inc

Number of offerings: Three

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $300

Free for you!

One-on-one Get Shameless financial coaching sessions. Clients can ask anything and everything about their finances in a 45-60 minute session.

Whether you want to book this call because you already have a burning question or you don’t know what you don’t know, we’ll have plenty of time to either have a deeper discussion on one topic or talk higher level about a few different topics. Feel free to send a list of questions or any documents you want us to review ahead of time. Here are some ideas for what we can talk about:

✨ Create 12-month cash flow projections and increase rates/streams of income

✨ Create system for tracking biz expenses to maximize tax deductions

✨ Determine best retirement plan for self-employed/tax savings

✨ Get the right business entity set up

✨ Get the right insurance and legal docs for your personal and biz needs

✨ Organize bank accounts between biz and personal

For more information about Get Shameless, please visit: https://www.getshameless.com

 

Offering #7: Somatic Coaching Sessions

Provided by: Shaleece Haas

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $600

Free for you!

For many creatives and cultural workers, the ability to feel and connect are integral parts of the work. And for performers, the body is also a central means of expression. 

And yet, no matter our work, we all embody things we don’t necessarily choose or even believe in. Our tendencies in relationships, our responses to conflict, and the way we react under pressure are all embodied habits. And often, these automatic responses get in the way of what we care about most. 

In somatic coaching, we get clear about what you deeply care about and then practice the embodied skills to get there. These include:  

* Feeling for your own needs and longings, while staying in connection with others

* Returning to a connected, present state under pressure

* Noticing how yes, no, and maybe show up in your body, and then expressing your boundaries with dignity and care

* Making requests grounded in what you need and value

* Cultivating resilience as an ongoing practice

In four 90-minute coaching sessions with somatic practitioner Shaleece Haas, you will be introduced to foundational embodiment practices that you can bring into your life and work. 

To learn more about Shaleece’s approach to somatics, please visit https://www.shaleecehaas.com

 

Offering #8: Two-Hour Headshot Session

Provided by: Jody Christopherson

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Individual Artists

Value of services: $650

Free for you!

Jody Christopherson, (Owner PFA Photo) is a photographer and generative artist based in New York. Her photography has been on display at the 23rd Street Gallery, Dixon Place, Queens Theater and widely published on iTunes as part of her sound/photography installation Necessary Exposure: The Playwright Project, which seeks to bring awareness to the plays of women and non-binary writers. Publications include Yale Press, The New York Times, American Theater Magazine, Huffington Post, Readers Digest, Mcgraw Hill and more. 

Book your two-hour headshot session with Jody for a session between November 2026 and April 2027 based on your shared availability. Your session includes the following;

- 200 high resolution (300dpi) images shot on a professional quality DSLR camera and delivered digitally via Dropbox within 48 hours for download and use

- Pre session consultation that includes: setting expectations for session goals, advice on color combinations, background selection, looks and what to expect for our time together

- Post session consult to determine edits: minimal retouching (under 15 min) of 2 favorite images, gratis. Minimal retouching edits must be specified by the client, as body autonomy and artist agency are priority. Options available for retouching include: eye brightening, vein removal in eyes, teeth brightening, removing the occasional stray hair, removing blemishes, and softening or removal of lines and shadows. $30 per photo for retouching of any additional images. 

- A curated selection of music from Jody’s 1500+ vinyl record collection

- A variety of backgrounds to choose from (pink, blue, brown red, grey, black or white backdrops, a cityscape or outdoor locations in Chelsea)

- Steamer and lint brush onsite for touch ups

- Coffee, tea, water available 

- ADA accessible building and session options

- Makeup artists are available for an additional fee of $300 or please feel free to do your own or not use make-up 

For more information about Jody Christopherson’s photography and work samples, please visit: https://www.pfaphotonyc.com

 

Opportunities for Organizations

Offering #9: ASL Interpreted Performances

Provided by: Inclusive Communication Services

Number of offerings: Four

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $540

Free for you!

Inclusive Communication Services (ICS) is a woman-owned accessibility agency providing accommodation services for the Deaf, Blind, and non-English speaking. Their mission is to improve inclusion in local communities through affordable, quality accommodations. 

For this lottery, ICS is offering ASL interpreting services for four organizations, one production each (up to 3 hours) at no cost to the participant.

For more information about Inclusive Communication Services, please visit: https://inclusiveasl.com

 

Offering #10:  Branded Digital & Social Media Templates

Provided by: Social Change Consulting

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $600

Free for you!

Annemarie Henning from Social Change Consulting will create a set of branded digital and social media marketing templates. These will be designed in line with the organization's existing brand and style. 

Annemarie will schedule an initial meeting to discuss your brand and needs, then design a template set that delivers a cohesive, consistent visual identity across your channels. You'll have the opportunity to review drafts and request one round of revisions before final files are delivered in an easy-to-use format (Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud), along with brief guidance on how to use them. The full process typically takes 6–7 weeks from initial meeting to final delivery, depending on scheduling and feedback turnaround.

Templates to Include:

- Social Media Digital Graphics (1080x1080 [1:1], 1080x1350 [4:5], and 1080x1920 pixels [9:16])

- Marketing Header Images: Email newsletter header image, online fundraising platform header image, online ticketing platform header image

- 8.5x11 Flyer 

Each asset is reusable for events, announcements, and/or series

For more information about Social Change Consulting, please visit: https://socialchangeconsulting.com

 

Offering #11: E-Learning Organizational Bundle

Provided by: Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP)

Number of offerings: Five

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $85

Free for you!

TAP's E-Learning Organizational Bundle is a suite of courses built for theatre companies, venues, and producing organizations, providing vital, accessible education with certificates of completion for each course.

TAP will create a dashboard for your team to track completion and send reminders to help you stay on track with learning and compliances.

Package Includes:

HABIT Core: Harassment, Abuse, and Bullying Intervention Training

- Comprehensive harassment prevention course designed specifically for the theatre industry

- Theatre-specific scenarios, interactive quizzes, and practical tools like the Five D's of Bystander Intervention

- Learn to recognize, prevent, and respond to harassment, abuse, and bullying (including sexual harassment and discrimination based on protected characteristics 

NYC HABIT Add-On:

- Covers additional requirements of New York City's Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act

- Ensures theatre organizations in five boroughs meet City's stricter compliance standards

EDIT: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Theatre training

- Shared language and frameworks for understanding systemic oppression (racism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism)

- Relationship to white dominant culture in theatre

TGNCIT: Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Inclusion in Theatre training

- Transgender history, representation, and workplace inclusion

- Key terms and context for how trans identity has shaped theatre historically

- How that history shows up in rehearsal rooms, casting practices, workplace culture

Navigating Microaggressions:

- Define microaffirmations and microaggressions

- Identify three forms/categories of microaggressions

- Practice navigating difficult conversations

 For more information about Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP), please visit: https://www.theatreadvocacyproject.org

 

Offering #12: Focused Consulting Support for Your Organization

Provided by: Ensemble Consulting

Number of offerings: Three

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $1,000

Free for you!

This offering is 10 hours of focused consulting support with leadership/leadership team to be completed within 6 months.

Kristin Patton of Ensemble Consulting helps theater leaders and their organizations better realize their collective aspirations through inclusive and values-aligned change processes that bring internal stakeholders into greater alignment with core purpose and each other.

It Includes:

- Initial Discovery Session with Leader or Leadership Team to discuss current needs and identify focus areas

- Development and delivery of lean, bespoke plan of focused consultant support

Potential Areas of Focus:

- Mapping Your Current Context to see the Forest and the Trees

- Leadership Strategic Action Planning

- Articulating or Revisiting Mission, Values, Vision, Aesthetic

- Clarifying Roles and Decision-Making Authorities

- Strengthening Internal Communications and/or Meetings

- Board Engagement/Development/Recruitment

- Board and/or Professional Leadership Coaching

- Strategy for bringing internal stakeholder groups into greater shared understanding and alignment

- Artist/Ensemble Engagement Strategy

Anticipated Impact:

- Leadership time and support to reflect and plan

- Greater internal clarity and alignment sets the stage for strengthening culture

- Greater effectiveness and impact

- Stronger case for external support

- Substantive movement on an identified pain point 

For more information about Ensemble Consulting, please visit: https://www.ensembleconsulting.org

 

Offering #13: Mental Health + Intimacy Coordination/Choreography

Provided by: LySaundra Janeé

Number of offerings: Two

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $500

Free for you!

As a mental health and intimacy professional, LySaundra Janeé combines nearly 15 years of experience in domestic and sexual violence prevention, over 20 years in music performance and education, creative writing and storytelling, and movement practice to support your creative storytelling and production goals. 

Her role is to support creative, ethical, and consensual storytelling involving intimacy and mental health. LySaundra is available as a consultant during pre-production and a coordinator on-set and in rehearsals.

LySaundra will work with the actors/scene in rehearsals, blocking with your director, and provide documentation for your production. LySaundra can also consult with the production team on the script/scene if she is unable to be in rehearsal. LySaundra will provide 10-15 hours of consulting for your production. 

LySaundra received relevant training from programs like the Somatica® Institute, Theatrical Intimacy Education, and the Association of Mental Health Coordinators, among over a decade of direct service and training through anti-domestic and sexual violence organizations. Her movement practice stems from West African, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Brazilian dance.

For more information about LySaundra Janeé’s work, please visit: https://www.lysaundrajanee.com/mental-health-intimacy-consulting

 

Offering #14: Strategic Planning Workshop

Provided by: AMS Planning & Research

Number of offerings: Three

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $500

Free for you!

Planning with Purpose: a 3-hour virtual Strategic Planning Workshop designed for small nonprofit arts organizations.

Context: Not-for-profit arts organizations face more competition (from streaming, commercial entertainment, leisure-time opportunities) and more constraints than perhaps ever before. Adapting requires moving at breakneck speed, but it's hard to slow down, reflect, and set strategic direction.

Workshop Goals:

- Understand what a strategic planning process is and how it can serve participating organizations

- Develop a prioritized list of key strategic questions and clear near-term goals

- Build new/deepened relationships between peer organizations and learn from colleagues

- Receive a set of resources, frameworks, and tools to move toward completing the planning process

Delivery: Participatory and engaged workshop. Up to 2 representatives from each organization. Minimal pre-work required (helps tailor facilitator approach and provides reflection foundation). 

This is bespoke to the IndieSpace community and scheduled based on participant and facilitator availability.

The workshop is designed for multiple organizations to attend together and benefit from collaboration and discussion. It will be scheduled for the three recipient organizations to attend together.

Facilitated by: AMS Associate Directors Hannah Fenlon and Nora Fleury

 For more information about AMS Planning & Research, please visit: https://www.ams-planning.com 

 

Offering #15: Two-Hour Photography Session for Theater Rehearsal and Production

Provided by: Ash Marinaccio 

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $400

Free for you!

Ash Marinaccio is a documentary photographer whose practice centers on people, community, and storytelling. 

Ash’s work draws from her background in theatre and documentary performance, with an emphasis on creating images that feel intimate, candid, and alive. 

Ash will provide a two-hour session of theatre rehearsal and production photography, capturing the process, performers, and energy of your work from rehearsal through performance. 

This is an opportunity to receive a set of professional, documentary-style images for your archive, press, website, and future promotion.

For more information about Ash Marinaccio’s work, please visit: 

https://ashmarinacciophotography.com

 

Offering #16: Workplace Culture/Rehearsal Package

Provided by: Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP)

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations

Value of services: $1,050

Free for you!

This package creates a framework for productions to establish a culture of belonging and provide tools to have courageous conversations.

Package Includes Three Sessions:

PRE-SHOW SESSION (30 minutes):

- Work with your team to understand production context

- Discuss any additional details to include in production survey

- Walk through Community Agreement Session to ensure alignment

FIRST REHEARSAL COMMUNITY AGREEMENT SESSION (90 minutes):

- Work with full cast and creative team to set rehearsal expectations

- Establish guiding principles for safety and equity throughout rehearsal process

- Provide conflict resolution techniques

- Cover foundational lesson of workplace rights

- Bring appropriate framework to the show

- Help scaffold the rehearsal process

POST-MORTEM (45 minutes):

- Provide workplace culture survey to assess success and identify areas for improvement

- Discuss survey results and recommendations

NEW THIS YEAR:

- Company/team members can reach out for office hour appointments throughout the process for any questions/concerns that arise

For more information about Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP), please visit: https://www.theatreadvocacyproject.org

 

Opportunities for Organizations and Individual Artists

Offering #17: Boilerplate Writing Sessions

Provided by: Benvenuti Arts

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations and Individual Artists

Value of services: $500

Free for you!

Piecing together scattered copy fragments for every new grant application? Let's fix it. Within three group sessions and two individual consultations, you will build a system to keep your language organized, updated, and readily useful.

What's Included:

- Registration for 2 team members from your organization

- Three working sessions, 1.5 hours each

- Two 30-minute one-on-one meetings with our consultant (one between 2nd/3rd session, one month after last session)

- All necessary templates

- Access to the Sessions recordings and slides for 12 months 

The working sessions are September 29, October 6, and October 20 from 11am - 12:30pm ET

The sessions are virtual.

IMPORTANT: Participants must be able to attend all sessions during this timeframe and put a tentative hold in their calendar now to avoid conflicts if chosen.

For more information on Benvenuti Arts, please visit: https://benvenutiarts.com

 

Offering #18: End-of-Year Campaign Planning Seminar

Provided by: Benvenuti Arts

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations and Individual Artists

Value of services: $350

Free for you!

Running out of steam to plan an end-of-year campaign? Benvenuti Arts can help you set up a chaos-free campaign. You will:

- Develop a strategy for managing your donor lists and prospecting

- Complete a campaign publications calendar

- Draft the launch language

- Walk out with immediately useful assets

Benvenuti Arts is hosting an End-of-Year Campaign Planning Seminar on October 5 from 10am-1pm. This session is virtual.

What's Included:

- Registration for 2 team members

- All necessary templates

- Email Q&A with the BA consultant within a week after the seminar

- Access to the Seminar recordings and slides for 12 months

IMPORTANT: Participants must be able to attend the event during this time frame and put a tentative hold on their calendar now to avoid conflicts if chosen.

For more information on Benvenuti Arts, please visit: https://benvenutiarts.com/

 

Offering #19: Producing Assets Package

Provided by: Privy Producing Collective

Number of offerings: Two

Audience: Organizations and Individual Artists

Value of services: $250

Free for you!

Privy Producing Collective (PPC)  is an NYC-Based Producing collective made up of Bailey Williams, Theresa Buchheister, and Julia Greer. They have each produced on many different scales wearing countless hats – taking projects from concept to presentation all over New York and beyond. They came together over a belief that artists and indie companies should be empowered to make and present their own work. 

For this Lottery, PPC is offering a Producing Assets Package that includes Budget Templates, Contract Templates, and Guides to each template, as well as a meeting to answer any questions about making your project happen and what steps to take next. 

The offered meeting is 90 minutes. This meeting can be in person or on Zoom, whichever the recipient prefers. In the meeting, you can discuss a specific project you are in the midst of producing or theoretical questions based on your past experiences and future goals. 

For more information on Privy Producing Collective, please visit: https://www.privyproducingcollective.com

 

Offering #20: Taking the Fear Out of Fundraising Training

Provided by: Aurore Fundraising

Number of offerings: Twenty

Audience: Organizations and Individual Artists

Value of services: $150

Free for you!

Training will take place on Zoom. You can select one of two dates. All times are Eastern. 

Wednesday, October 14 at 12pm OR 

Sunday, November 8 at 10am 

Are you new to fundraising and don’t know where to begin? Perhaps your organization is about to go into Campaign mode, and you want to motivate your Board to become more confident fundraisers. Or are you struggling to retain your current donors and progress them towards more regular, larger gifts?

In this 1.5-hour session, I will dispel common misconceptions surrounding individual and corporate fundraising for non-profit arts organizations and explore the science behind the positive effects of philanthropy and giving. We’ll work together on establishing positive mindsets for fundraising success by defining key terms and understanding jargon. We’ll explore the power of effective storytelling and the difference between sponsorship and strategic corporate partnerships. I’ll give you helpful questions to open up meaningful conversations with potential donors in one-to-one meetings. 

Finally, we’ll brainstorm creative stewardship opportunities to keep your crucial donor retention rate high. As a result of your participation in this interactive session, I will help to take the fear out of fundraising, and you will come away with additional skills, knowledge, and confidence to help your organization raise transformative funds. And hopefully have some fun along the way!

IMPORTANT: Participants must be able to attend one of the two designated sessions and put a tentative hold in their calendar now to avoid conflicts if chosen.

For more information on Aurore Fundraising, please visit: https://www.aurorefundraising.com

 

Offering #21: 25 hours of Rehearsal Space

Provided by: New Perspective Theatre Company

Number of offerings: One

Audience: Organizations and Individual Artists

Value of services: $500

Free for you!

New Perspective Theatre Company is offering 25 hours of rehearsal space in their studio between September 18 and October 12, 2026.

The studio is a storefront space, located at 37th Street and 10th Avenue. It measures approximately 18' x 20' (plus some side space). It is wheelchair accessible. Dance rehearsals are not recommended in the space due to its linoleum floors.

The recipient of this offering will work with NPTC to schedule their 25 hours. 

For more information about New Perspective Theatre Company, please visit: https://www.newperspectivestheatre.org/

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

This application is open to any NYC-based indie performing artists or organizations in need of these resources. This will NOT be a weighted lottery.

APPLICATION PROCESS: 

To apply for the lotteries, please complete the application below. This application should take you 20 minutes or less to complete. If you have any questions about the application or need assistance completing the application via video call, please reach out to our Grants Manager at yasmine@indiespace.org.

LOTTERY PROCESS:

Applications will be accepted until September 13 2026 at 11:59pm! Eligible applicants will then be entered into the lottery drawings. If you enter multiple lotteries, you will only be eligible to win a max of ONE OFFERING. Applicants will be notified of the lottery results by September 18 2026.

*We will be using the Random Picker software to run our lotteries. Screen recordings of each lottery will be made and are available to review by request.

About This Grant:

The IndieSpace Mental Health Grant Program awards New York City-based indie performing artists $500 Grants to use toward therapy, medication, meditation classes, and any other mental health-related costs. It is our hope that by providing this financial resource, we can help remove barriers that prevent artists from seeking and receiving the care, support, and information they need to care for their mental health. 

Who is Eligible?:

This application is open to any New York City-based indie performing artist in need of mental health funds, even if you have previously been awarded this grant. In order to be eligible, applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria: 

1. Applicant must live within NYC's five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island)

2. Applicant must be a theater, dance or multi disciplinary artist whose works is primarily presented by NYC-based indie performing arts companies or venues - theaters or performance venues with 99 seats or less 

3. Applicant must be requesting funds to support a  mental health need

Please note that funds will be prioritized to Global Majority (BIPOC), transgender/gender non-conforming/non-binary/Intersex/Two Spirit, disabled, d/Deaf, and immigrant artists AND applicants who HAVEN'T already received this grant before using a weighted lottery system. 

After receiving a Mental Health Grant, applicants are asked to wait a period of 3 months before reapplying. This allows us to make space for others who are still waiting to receive support. Applicants will be able to receive the Mental Health Grant no more than twice in a calendar year. Once you have received it twice, any subsequent applications will be declined.

Application Process 

To apply for funds, please complete the application below. This application should take you 10 minutes or less to complete. If you have any questions about the application or need assistance completing the application via phone, please reach out to the IndieSpace team at hello@indiespace.org. 

Lottery Process 

Each month, IndieSpace runs a digital lottery and awards at least $10,000 (20 grants).

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through 3:00 PM (ET) on the fourth Friday of each month. All eligible applications received by that deadline will be included in that month’s lottery, along with any applications rolling over from previous months.

On that Friday, all eligible applicants will receive an email with their assigned lottery number. This number will remain the same for the entire calendar year, even if you receive a grant and apply again later in the year.

The lottery drawing will take place on the following Monday using the Random Picker lottery tool. Screen recordings of each lottery will be made and are available to review by request. 

If your number is not selected, your application will automatically roll over into the next month’s lottery. This process will continue each month until all eligible applicants have received a grant.

Reapplication

Anyone whose number was not pulled in that month's lottery will roll over into our next lottery. Applicants will receive a 1 point increase in their lottery weight for each month their application rolls over. This means that if your application has rolled over across multiple months, your chances of being selected will be higher than folks who have only rolled over one month. Our goal is to make sure that no one is left waiting indefinitely or going long periods without critical mental health needs being met. 

You do not need to reapply to receive this benefit, your application will automatically remain active and carry forward each month until you are selected. To help us keep the process fair for all applicants, we ask that you maintain only ONE active application at a time.

The IndieSpace team is actively working to grow and expand this Mental Health Program. Our goal is to support every artist in need of this funding, and while it may take time, we are committed to continuing to raise and allocate resources to make that possible.

Payment Process

IndieSpace is excited to introduce a new, more streamlined approach to grant payments with even more options! To give recipients the most flexibility when choosing payment methods, we offer ACH payments, free PayPal payouts, or paper checks. 

Once your lottery number is pulled for the grant, you'll receive an email containing a link to choose a payment method. To ensure speedy delivery, please verify that your contact email address is correct in your application, as this will be how you will receive payment instructions. Once you submit the payment form, you will be paid out in the manner you’ve indicated, on the timeline specified for each payment method in the form. 

IndieSpace is constantly working to make the granting process as simple and quick as possible, and we hope that this new process will be helpful to you!

Please note that if you are an individual who has already received funding from us in 2026, you will be required to submit a W-9. If you need a blank copy of a W-9, you can download one here.

About The Emergency Grant:
The IndieSpace Emergency Fund provides grants to arts organizations who have experienced a sudden loss or unforeseen circumstance that will impact their ability to move forward with a production (i.e. broken equipment, an ill artist etc.) Emergency Grants are not available to fill a gap in your fundraising efforts.

Grants will occasionally be provided to individuals facing a hardship that doesn't fall within one of our other grant programs for individuals.

About the Loan Program:

The IndieSpace Loan Program is meant for those with emergencies that are temporary and where funds are anticipated. We are happy to offer loans with 0% interest and flexible repayment terms to be determined together. 

Who is Eligible?:
This application is open to any NYC-based Indie theater company or venue. Indie theater venues are considered theaters or performance spaces with 99 seats or less. Emergency grants are given on a rolling basis, however, we do prioritize funding to companies or venues that are BIPOC, Trans & Non-Binary, Immigrant, and/or Disabled/Deaf run and operated. Individuals may also apply for funds, but they are limited and are only given on a case by case basis.

Application Process:
To apply for funds, please complete the application below. We hope this application will not take a long time to complete. Please note that this application will require some documentation uploading as support to your application. Please have any of the following ready and on hand to submit, if applicable: insurance claim, production or operating budget, photos of space or production damage, etc.  

If you have any questions about the application or need assistance completing the application via phone, please reach out to our Executive Director, Randi Berry, at randi@indiespace.org.

Payment Process:

• Applications will be accepted and reviewed by our staff and board within 24hrs of receipt. We aim to respond with application status update by email and/or payment details within 2 days of your submission. Funds will be paid out via PayPal or check depending on what you selected in your application. Zelle and ACH are also an option that can be discussed via email once the grant is approved.

Additional Info:

• We can not guarantee a payout of the full amount requested in your application. Grants may equal up to 25% of the total in the Emergency Fund pool at the time of the application.
• Grants can not be made to an organization to fill shortfalls in organizational budgets or fundraising as this is an unfortunate circumstance that many in our community are facing and we do not have the resources to support everyone in this way. If you are unsure or have questions about the emergency you are facing and want to discuss eligibility, please email randi@indiespace.org