Wisconsin Union Theater Launches Inaugural André De Shields Fund Grant Application Process
Posted: 01/23/25
“You must imagine it to manifest it.” – André De Shields
University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduates can now apply for the Wisconsin Union Theater’s (WUT’s) André De Shields Fund grants to realize their artistic visions aimed at inspiring social change.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate how their community or perspective is unrecognized or insufficiently reflected in campus culture and how their project will create meaningful social impact through the arts.
Artists can use the grant for WUT performance space costs, artist and designer fees, production materials, crew and technical production costs, marketing expenses, and costs associated with development, rehearsals, and stagings. If the performance takes place in a WUT-run space, such as Shannon Hall at Memorial Union, the WUT team will cover the space rental fee.
An André De Shields Fund grant committee will make recommendations to the WUT team and will award up to five undergraduate students each year with seed grants of $1,000 to $3,000 and a mentor to provide guidance. Should any of the projects eventually be developed to a professional level, WUT staff and student leaders will also consider André De Shields Fund-supported works for a future WUT performing arts season.
“The André De Shields Fund, named after actor, singer, writer, and UW–Madison alumnus André De Shields, will open doors for young creatives to bring their artistic projects to life while they’re students,” WUT Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “André De Shields has received countless awards over his career spanning a little more than half a century, including a Tony Award for ‘Hadestown’ at age 74, but he did not do this without overcoming adversity, injustice, and discrimination that threatened his destiny to become a performer. His unrelenting dedication to achieving his dream opened the doors that threatened to close on him. This fund honors his journey and removes barriers for the ‘Andrés of today.’ Thanks to major support from Jonathan and Susan Lipp and Jun and Sandy Lee as well as special support from Lau and Bea Christensen and hundreds of gifts from other caring donors, we can start awarding grants to eligible students this year.”
Supporters who wish to contribute can make tax-deductible donations to the André De Shields Fund at supportuw.org/giveto/andredeshieldsfund.
Patrons can also support the Wisconsin Union Theater by purchasing tickets to events in the 2024-2025 season, which include YAMATO Drummers of Japan on Feb. 22, The Acting Company on March 19, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet on May 1.