Hawaii Foundation for Performing Arts
Where the Stage Comes Alive — Nurturing the Arts That Make Hawaii's Culture Shine
Our Story
Where the Stage Comes Alive — Nurturing the Arts That Make Hawaii's Culture Shine
Our Story
Hawaii Foundation for Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in downtown Honolulu, dedicated to supporting, promoting, and sustaining the performing arts across the Hawaiian Islands. From the grand stages of Honolulu's historic theaters to community performance spaces on the neighbor islands, we believe that the performing arts are essential to the cultural vitality, social well-being, and creative life of Hawaii's communities.
Our mission is to strengthen and expand access to the performing arts in Hawaii through grants, education programs, community partnerships, and advocacy. We envision a Hawaii where every resident — regardless of background or geography — has the opportunity to experience, participate in, and be transformed by the power of live performance.
The performing arts in Hawaii face ongoing challenges: limited funding, high production costs, and the need to reach audiences across a geographically dispersed island chain. Hawaii Foundation for Performing Arts was established to address these challenges — providing the financial support, organizational capacity, and community connections that allow Hawaii's performing arts organizations and artists to thrive.
We support the full spectrum of performing arts in Hawaii — from classical music and ballet to contemporary theater and traditional Hawaiian performance.
Competitive grants for performing arts organizations and individual artists across Hawaii, supporting production costs, artist fees, educational outreach, and capacity-building initiatives.
School residency programs, youth performance workshops, and community outreach initiatives bringing the performing arts to students and underserved communities across the Hawaiian Islands.
Professional development resources, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities for emerging and established performing artists in Hawaii — helping them build sustainable careers in the arts.
Hawaii Foundation for Performing Arts has made a meaningful difference in the cultural life of the Hawaiian Islands. Through our grants, education programs, and community partnerships, we have supported hundreds of performances, reached thousands of students, and helped sustain the organizations and artists that make Hawaii's performing arts scene one of the most vibrant in the Pacific. We are proud to play a role in ensuring that the transformative power of live performance remains accessible to all of Hawaii's communities — today and for generations to come.
Join us in celebrating and supporting the performing arts in Hawaii. There are many ways to get involved — as a donor, volunteer, or audience member.
Your support makes it possible for Hawaii's performing arts to flourish. Whether through a donation, a grant application, or volunteering your time, there are many ways to contribute to the cultural life of Hawaii. We invite you to join us in our mission to ensure that the performing arts remain a vital part of Hawaii's community for generations to come.
Get InvolvedWhether you are an artist seeking support, an organization interested in partnership, or a donor who wants to make a difference, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out using the form below.