Shakespeare Festival awarded $25K
Posted/updated on: January 15, 2026 at 2:32 am
KILGORE — An East Texas theater company has been awarded a $25,000 grant for its 2026 season as a part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration. According our news partner KETK, the Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College was one of 50 arts projects across the country to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as a part of the federal initiative, “Celebrating America250: Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.”
The National Endowment for the Arts was named a key partner in developing the National Garden of American Heroes, an executive order dedicated to recognizing notable historical figures.
The grant is awarded to arts projects in any discipline that celebrates the contributions to American history of one or more national heroes.
In its 2026 season lineup, the Texas Shakespeare Festival will feature “1776,” a musical based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is honored to support communities across the country in recognizing the individuals whose contributions have defined our history,” Mary Anne Carter, National Endowment for the Arts senior adviser, said. “The Texas Shakespeare Festival plays a significant role in commemorating these heroes’ legacies while affirming the enduring role of the arts in shaping America’s future.”
