Evaluation Procedures

After applications have been reviewed by Foundation staff, additional support materials or information may be requested for consideration by the independent review panel, which will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The Independent Review Panel comprises experts from the musical, theatrical, and scholarly communities; panelists’ identities are confidential to assure maximum impartiality. Grants will be awarded on an objective and non-discriminatory basis.

When grant applications are evaluated, the independent review panel considers the following criteria:

• Quality of the project and potential for excellence.
• Relevance of the project to the furtherance of The Kurt Weill Foundation’s goals and current priorities.
• Evidence of the applicant’s prior record of achievement, commitment, and ability to carry out the project successfully.
• The diversity of the personnel involved with the project, both on stage and off.
• Potential reach of the project (Factors: size of audience or readership, ability to engage new constituents, media involvement, introduction of emerging performers and audiences to Weill’s and Blitzstein’s lesser-known works, etc.)
• Potential impact of a stage or concert presentation of a work by Kurt Weill or Marc Blitzstein to advance the understanding and appreciation of their oeuvres in the performing arts field, or scholarship on a topic not previously explored.
• Capacity to complete the project.
• The applicant’s demonstrable commitment to implementing and enforcing policies that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices

Notification and Disbursement of Awards

Grant applicants will be notified of the decision of the Board of Trustees within approximately 6 to 8 weeks following the application deadline. Thus, notifications for applications submitted by the 1 November deadline will arrive by late December/early January, and those for applications submitted  by the 1 June deadline by late July/early August. Funds will be disbursed following the completion of the project, and once the stipulations in the grant agreement have been satisfied.