Every year, independent theater artists who meet the necessary eligibility criteria are invited to submit an application seeking Ministry of Culture funding for a new production.

Given that the Ministry of Culture works solely with registered non-profits and local authorities, the application is submitted through EVE – Independent Theater and Performance Artists Organization, serving as an umbrella organization for independent artists working in theater and performance art.

EVE holds an annual open meeting for artists, usually around October,  to outline all the information and answer any questions that arise.

Below is a summary of the crucial information, regarding applications for 2026 (every year we update the information according to the Ministry of Culture guidelines):

• Only artists who gave advance notice, with EVE’s assistance a year in advance can submit The funding is intended for the creation of a new production/show only.
  
  
• The funding is intended for a production that will premiere in 2026.
  
  
• The Ministry of Culture support will not exceed 75% of the production’s budget. As such, the budget submitted as part of the funding application is obliged to account for additional funding sources amounting to 25% of the production’s budget.
  
  

Eligibility Criteria for 2026

There are two quantitative eligibility criteria that must be met in order to submit an application:

1. Between the years 2022-2025 – the applying artist independently staged two new productions, with each of them running at least 12 times during those years (it is possible to submit two productions that each ran 12 times, or one production that ran 11 times and the second 13 times, or one production that ran 10 times and the second 14 times).
   
   

And in addition –

1. Between the years 2024-2025 – all your productions, regardless of their premiere date – ran 30 times in Israel.
   
   

Application Process

1. It is only possible  to apply if advance notice was given (as written above).
   
   
2. The applying artist joins EVE – the umbrella organization that will assist you with the application process (we hold organized guidance sessions and orientation to for new EVE members so you understand the meaning of membership beyond as a means to apply for funding).
   
   
3. The funding application period usually opens in the last quarter of the year preceding the funding year (for example, the application period for funding in 2027 will likely open in the last quarter of 2026). EVE will contact the artists who have given advance notice to concretize the application.
   
   
4. The funding application includes submitting 3 documents:
   
   

Project Description  – a description of the production for which funding is requested (we provide guidelines regarding the required content).

Substantive Report (a form from the Ministry of Culture that will be sent to you in advance).

Budget Proposal (in a given format we supply)

1. We hold a guidance session before the application begins, and review the submitted materials, ensuring their accuracy, before transferring the completed application to the Ministry of Culture.
   
   
2. Presentations – All applying artists are invited to presentations before an official committee of the Ministry of Culture (Fringe Theater Department). The presentations entail presenting a very short segment from the rehearsals of the production and a conversation with the committee members.
   
   
3. Timeline –- Each year, the funding application period + the presentation dates are subject to change. EVE is in regular contact with the Ministry of Culture and publishes any relevant information upon receiving word of any changes. 
   
   

For more details and in the event of any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at [email protected].

Good luck!

The EVE Team