JANUARY 2008

In Performance Series Awards


Cowell Theater

It can’t be easy being a small performance group these days. No matter how creative and committed you are, the bottom line for the survival of your organization is often pure dollars and cents. And as expenses escalate, revenue from ticket sales is often not enough to cover costs, let alone to turn a profit.

This is where one of the Fort Mason Foundation’s (FMF) least known programs, the “In Performance Series” awards, steps in. With funding from the Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and — new this year — the Wells Fargo Foundation, FMF’s “In Performance Series” awards help underwrite the cost of producing performances at Fort Mason Center’s Cowell Theater.

“In the last 10 years,” says Cowell Theater Director Sharon Walton, “we’ve been able to provide 200 productions with a total of more than half a million dollars in underwriting.”

This is welcome aid, since for many small performing arts groups even the Cowell’s reasonable rates can be difficult to meet. As one recipient said, “as the costs associated with producing a show go up, having that bit of support really helps.”

To be considered for an “In Performance Series” award, an organization must, first of all, be a nonprofit and then meet a number of other criteria. Preference is given to Bay Area organizations, those that have not previously received funding, and those who reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Bay Area. Groups that offer free performances and tickets to underserved communities are also given preference.

The program serves more than 20 groups per year. Past awardees include Smuin Ballet, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Company C Contemporary Ballet, Word For Word, San Francisco Performances, Pacific Chamber Symphony, Chitresh Das Dance Company, Joe Goode Performance Group, Capacitor (performing this month at the Cowell) and many more too numerous to mention.

Worth noting is that this year the program received increased funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation that can be used for marketing and advertising assistance.

For more information about the In Performance Series awards, please visit About Us.

— Jovanne Reilly