Historic Theater Grant Program
Forecasted
Historic Theater Grant Program supports owners and organizations repairing Washington’s historic theaters to preserve their character, sustain theater use, and keep them part of community life.
Funder: Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $500,000 available in the 2025–2027 biennium; awards up to $75,000
Summary: Matching grants support physical preservation of historic theaters in Washington.
Key Information: Award recipients must enter a five- to fifteen-year preservation easement and maintain the theater for at least ten years.
Description
The Historic Theater Capital Grant Program supports the stabilization and rehabilitation of Washington theaters originally built for theatrical use. Housed within the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and managed under contract by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, it uses state capital funding to address physical repair needs and sustain theaters as community gathering places.
Projects may repair a building’s shell or structure, theater features, building systems, or accessibility features. The program aims to preserve theaters’ historic character while supporting their continued or restored use, their contribution to local economies, and their role in community life.
