Crowded Fire's Ignite Fund

Launched in 2016, Crowded Fire’s Ignite Fund seeks to support the growth of and enhance the working lives of theater designers and technicians in the Bay Area with an eye towards supporting the plurality of race, culture, class, gender, and age in our local design and technical community.

Crowded Fire believes in the development of all artists and technicians, yet there are a limited number of grants for theater designers and technicians. We understand that growth in and innovation of design comes from designer’s and technician’s investment in tools and training. We believe in your, the designer’s and technician’s, vision and want to support the richness you bring to our local theater ecology.

This form, including your back up documents must be submitted via this form before the deadline in order to be eligible.

You may "Save" your application as a draft and come back to it later, however we are unable to see applications until they have officially been submitted.

Applications not finalized/submitted before the deadline will not be considered.

For questions, please email ignite@crowdedfire.org

View the 2021 Ignite Fund FAQ and interview with past grantees here.

• All questions are required
• Form attachments
  • PDF Resume of primary applicant.  [File name: LastName_FirstName_Resume]
  • Proposal Budget: a detailed breakdown of the total proposal cost and the total requested from the IGNITE FUND.  [File name: LastName_FirstName_Budget]
  • 3 examples of your work or description of a past technical project submitted as a link, jpeg, or pdf file.
    • While we may view your website if you list it below, only specific links/files will be considered for this requirement
• VIDEO SUBMISSION: We are now also accepting video submissions in lieu of attachments. Attach a video or include the link in the attachments area of the form below.

CHANGES MADE IN 2021, that still carry through to this year's application:

• Smaller grants so that we can support more individuals
• Looser requirements around residency (though a commitment to the Bay Area still needs to be demonstrated)
• Reminder that these grants can be used to strengthen your economic stability

Applications will be reviewed by a panel composed of local theater designers, technicians, and/or community members, as well as Crowded Fire staff members. Panelists will review eligible proposals and select recipients based on the information provided in your application by using the following selection criteria:

• Designers and technicians practicing in the following areas will be considered: scenic, lights, sound, costumes, props, projection, video, puppetry, and stage management.
• All applicants must demonstrate a proof of commitment to the Bay Area. In past years this was proof of working on four local, Bay Area theater productions in the last two calendar years; this year, it could be a short statement sharing your previous residency or future plans/commitment.
• Designers and technicians may apply for grants in the amount of $1,000 to $2,000 in support of:professional development workshops and training opportunities, purchase of design tools and equipment, and strengthening the economic sustainability of an arts practice.

• Priority will be given to applications that support a designer’s or technician’s career growth and/or bolstering a designer’s or technician’s individual tools and equipment.
• Priority will be given to designers and/or technicians who reflect a potential to significantly impact and advance the local theater community.
• Priority will be given to applicants who exhibit a track record of innovative, exploratory, and quality work.
• The panel will review the applicant pool with an eye towards supporting the plurality of race, culture, class, gender, and age in our local design and technician community.

• Applications must clearly articulate a plan to implement the proposed activities and an appropriate proposal budget must support that plan.
• Only one application will be accepted per applicant. Collaborators may also apply as a team. 
• We do not require applicants to have previously worked on a Crowded Fire show.

• Applications will open on June 1, 2022 and close at 11:59:59 PM on July 7, 2022.
• Notification of applicants (via email) by August 15th
• The earliest start date for granted activities is September 1, 2022, with completion of activities by September 1, 2023

Please do not call or email Crowded Fire Theater Company to check the status of your application.