GRANT APPLICATION
Who is eligible to apply for a grant from The Olga Forrai Foundation?
Singers
Singing applicants must possess a large, dramatic voice suitable to the works of Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, Puccini, and similar verismo composers.
Confirmed Role
Contracted by a professional company to learn a role new to your dramatic repertoire for this engagement.
- or -
Audition Tour
Must have at least three (3) confirmed auditions in houses.
The successful applicant shall;
Be identified as an emerging artist in dramatic repertoire and demonstrating exceptional talent in the performance of their art at the professional level.
Have completed basic musical studies at a conservatory, university, or equivalent musical training and experience.
Have a signed contract with a professional company for paid performances of a new role or a verified itinerary for an audition tour.
Conductors
Conductors contracted to conduct a professional performance of a full-scale opera, a choral work with orchestra and soloists, or a symphonic work with soloists in the dramatic repertoire. Grants for conductors made by The Olga Forrai Foundation are limited to a maximum of one (1) per calendar year.
The successful applicant shall;
Be identified as an emerging artist and have relevant professional experience conducting full-scale opera productions, choral works with orchestra and soloists, or symphonic works with soloists in the dramatic repertoire.
Have completed basic musical studies at a conservatory, university, or equivalent musical training and experience.
Have a signed contract with a professional company for paid performances of a full-scale opera, a choral work with orchestra and soloists, or a symphonic work with soloists in the dramatic repertoire and new to your repertoire.
Returning Grantees
If you previously received a grant from The Olga Forrai Foundation, you may be eligible for continuing support. However, Returning Grantee applications cannot be submitted until all performances of an existing grant are completed, and the "Use of Funds" form has been returned. An abridged application is available for you to submit additional proposals. Returning grantee applications are subject to the same guidelines (a professional, paid contract with orchestra and a dramatic role new to your repertoire) and approval processes. The Board of Directors reserves the right to ask any returning grantee for an in-person audition.
Apply here.
How can the money be used?
Singers
Grant money is awarded primarily for studying and preparing a role(s) new to your dramatic operatic or concert repertoire. This preparation may include voice lessons, coaching, and language studies necessary to perfect vocal technique to pursue a professional career or confirmed audition tour(s).
Confirmed Role
Voice Lesson, Coaching, Language Study
Audition Tour
Flight, Train, Accomodation, Accompanist
Conductors
Grant money is awarded primarily for studying and preparing a professional full-scale opera production, choral works with orchestra and soloists, or a symphonic work with soloists in the dramatic repertoire and new to your repertoire. This preparation may include lessons with an established conductor or mentor, coaching, language study, or other relevant measures related to your proposal. Grants for conductors made by The Olga Forrai Foundation are limited to a maximum of one (1) per calendar year.
Grants are generally not awarded for purchasing music, website building/maintenance, headshots, meals, household expenses, grooming aids, wardrobe, or travel expenses.
An exception will be considered for travel expenses, in part or in full, when travel is an integral component of a series of three (3) or more auditions in significant centers of operatic performance, especially in foreign countries. The Olga Forrai Foundation will consider only audition tours scheduled by your manager/agent for this exception.
Please see Frequently Asked Questions.
What is the application process?
Fill out the online Grant Proposal form. Your grant proposal should outline your specific financial needs to accomplish your professional goals related to the project you are preparing. Please be very specific in your grant proposal. See Preparation Checklist.
Submit application.
Once you have submitted your completed grant proposal and materials, the Artistic Advisor will review all requests and recommend the best-qualified candidates to the Board of Directors. Successful applicants will be invited to New York to sing in person for the Artistic Advisor and the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will secure a suitable venue for the audition. The pianist and any other expenses incurred are the sole responsibility of the artist. Please note that being invited to sing for an audition is not a guarantee of your proposal being granted.
In all instances, the decision of the Board of Directors is final.
All grant recipients will be required to submit an itemized accounting of monies spent as described in your proposal by filling out the Grantee Report on Use of Funds form. This form also fulfills The Olga Forrai Foundation's fiduciary obligation as required by IRS Code, Section 4945.
What Grantees Are Saying
“I am so grateful to The Olga Forrai Foundation for all the encouragement and support which has made possible lessons and coaching to prepare for new roles and expand my repertoire to prepare for upcoming work. The Foundation’s belief in my artistry is a true blessing.”
“Today we have an entire world of opera houses searching for dramatic voices able to sing the most demanding parts. We need to train and train but then also eventually be found by these houses. This wonderful Foundation is not only making it possible for me to train and study my crazy dramatic parts, but also travel so that I can be found. And last but definitely not least, I am so grateful for their encouragement in general! Thank you with all my heart!!! ”