The Kenneth Rainin Foundation awarded $832,100 to 33 small and mid-sized arts organizations through our New and Experimental Works (NEW) Program. The NEW Program provides grants of $5,000-$30,000 to enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary works that are relevant to the communities they serve, advance their artistic practices and push the boundaries of dance and theater.
Even in the most challenging times, Bay Area artists persist in creating work that is meaningful, powerful and joyful. This year’s projects feature dynamic partnerships, intergenerational collaborations and multidisciplinary work. Immersive performance continues to be an area of exploration and growth for artists, with projects experimenting with audience interaction, engagement and participation. Artists are also boldly claiming space for Trans joy and collective power, exploring sacred myths and folk wisdom and examining healing through different cultural contexts and communities. At this critical moment, artists are filling the essential role of sustaining and enriching our communities. See the full list of 2025 NEW Program grant recipients.
A Shift To Unrestricted Grants
We want our Arts grantees to have the flexibility to continue doing their work during this turbulent time. In response to current funding challenges and increased uncertainty across the field, we made this year’s NEW Program grants 100% unrestricted. We hope this adjustment allows our grantees to produce their projects while also supporting them to adapt and respond to evolving conditions. This shift aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to the “Meet the Moment” pledge, which calls on funders to mobilize resources in trust-based ways.
Artist-Centered Selection Process
As we are shifting power in our grantmaking decisions, our selection process remains grounded in transparency. We again invited four Bay Area artists to review the 104 applications we received and make funding recommendations. Of the 33 grants awarded, 45% went to first-time NEW Program grantees and 67% went to organizations with budgets under $250,000. This year’s artist panel included:
About The Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a family foundation that collaborates with creative thinkers in the Arts, Education and Health. We believe in taking smart risks to achieve breakthroughs. We support visionary artists in the Bay Area, create opportunities for Oakland’s youngest learners and fund researchers on the forefront of scientific discoveries. Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded over $64 million in funding to support individual artists and small to mid-size Bay Area arts organizations that are pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Explore the Rainin Foundation’s funding opportunities.
