The Playwrights' Center is one of the largest sources of career-advancing financial assistance for playwrights in the country today. In fact, the amount of funding the Center regrants-including support of theater artists-is second only to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Relying on rotating independent panels of distinguished leaders in the field, the Center distributes awards through five programs: McKnight Advancement Grants; the McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships; the McKnight National Residency & Commission; Jerome Fellowships; and Many Voices Residencies.