Please note: We are currently at capacity for our in-person event at the Chelsea Factory. 

You are welcome to join The Big Give over Zoom. We have a great virtual celebration planned!

The Big Give is IndieSpace’s annual event that celebrates indie theater, and it's where we give grants to indie theater companies, fiscally sponsored collectives/productions, and indie theater venues.

This year, the event is on Giving Tuesday, and we are excited to be giving away 60 “Pay Your People” $1,000 grants to indie theater companies/collectives and venues.

There are three primary reasons we hold this event:
1) Provide a space for attendees to reconnect and socialize with your fellow indie theater makers
2) Celebrate and honor the amazing work, artistry, and love the indie theater community has shown over the past year
3) Distribute $1,000 grants to the indie theater community

Event Details

Join us on November 28 as we hold our lottery and give away “Pay Your People” $1,000 grants to indie theater companies/collectives and venues.

The in-person event will take place at the Chelsea Factory, 547 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001.

The virtual party will take place via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to those who RSVP in the week before the event.

Send one person or come as a company. Bring board members! Bring friends who love indie theater! The in-person event is always an awesome night with free food and drink! And fun activities for everyone.

How to RSVP

Anyone and everyone should feel free to join us at The Big Give - regardless of whether you are applying for our grants or not. You can participate in the Big Give in whichever way feels the most comfortable, either in person or online.

When making your “ticket” selection, you will be able to decide how you will attend the event. Please note that it is important that you register for the event INDIVIDUALLY, NOT AS A COMPANY. The order form will only allow you to reserve up to ONE ticket. Please have everyone in your company, family, or party complete their own registration.

Because of the hybrid nature of this event, this will allow us to more easily track who will be attending where and who will be representing each company/venue. This information is important to us in order to set up the event spaces appropriately and will also help make our grant-giving process more efficient.

While this event is free to attend, we do offer the opportunity to make a donation at check out that will help us cover the cost of this event (food, drinks, staff).

Please remember that if you have applied or are applying for one of our Pay Your People grants, you or someone from your company must be present at The Big Give event on November 28 to receive a grant (in person or virtually). So, mark your calendars accordingly!

Accessibility

• The in-person venue is ADA-compliant and is wheelchair and direct street-compliant.
• ASL interpretation will be provided for both the in-person and virtual events. Inclusive Communication Services will provide ASL Interpretation.
• Service animals are allowed in the venue.
• Chairs and tables will be set up throughout the venue. This is often an event with standing room. There will be enough chairs to accommodate anyone who would like one.
• Food and beverages will be served during the in-person event. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options will be available.
• Please be aware that photos and videos will be taken at the event and will be used.
  

COVID-19 Compliance

• Masks are optional, though we highly encourage them when not eating or drinking.
• These rules are subject to change due to NY infection numbers close to the date of the event.

Pay Your People Grants

For information and/or questions regarding the Pay Your People Grants, please visit our website or email us at hello@indiespace.org

The Pay Your People Grant Application opens on October 19.

The Pay Your People Grant Application closed on November 16.

Please remember that you or someone from your company must be present at the Big Give Event on November 28 in order to receive a grant (in-person or virtually).

The Pay Your People Grants are for NYC-based indie theater companies, fiscally sponsored collectives/productions, and indie theater venues. There will be grant opportunities specifically for individual artists this fall and winter.

The Pay Your People Grant is to do just that – pay the people on your team that makes the work possible. To be eligible for our grants, companies or venues must commit to using their grant to pay artists or leaders of color and/or artists or leaders who have been historically excluded from funding based on gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, ability, economic disadvantage, refugee/immigration status or for other reasons you define.

Special Thanks

We are so grateful to the Howard Gilman Foundation for their support of IndieSpace and The Big Give.

And we are thrilled to share that Tito's Handmade Vodka is returning to The Big Give as a sponsor and are grateful for their ongoing support of the indie theater community! We look forward to toasting them (and you) with a Tito's drink at The Big Give on Tuesday, November 28.