The Princess Grace Foundation – USA is a charity organization named after Princess Grace of Monaco, which supports emerging performers in theater, dance, and film in the form of awards, grants, scholarships, and fellowships. The Foundation holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize fledgling and established artists across the country. Prince Albert II of Monaco serves as its patron.
History
The Foundation was established by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to honor the legacy of the late Princess Grace, who supported Monégasque arts in culture as well as numerous up-and-coming American artists during her lifetime. In 1982, Robert Hausman, founding Chairman, incorporated Princess Grace Foundation-USA as a non-profit public charity. The Board of Trustees at the time of its founding consisted of Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Roger Moore, John Johnson, William P. Rogers, Mary Wells Lawrence, and Lynn Wyatt.
The first financial grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships were awarded in 1984 to artists associated with schools or performing arts companies in the dance and theater. An arts advisory board composed of professionals in each of those fields was appointed to the Awards recipients. President Ronald Reagan, and First Lady Nancy Reagan oversaw the first gala at the White House in Washington, D.C.; The Foundation has continued with annual Awards Galas, rotating between New York City, Los Angeles and Monte Carlo. Currently, there are five avenues of funding for Award winners, available exclusively to Award winners and honoraria: Special Projects, Works in Progress in partnership with Baryshnikov Arts Center, Choreography Mentorship Co-Commission, Professional Development, and Professional Development partnerships for filmmakers.
The Princess Grace Awards The Princess Grace Awards are a ceremony held each year, hosted by the Princely Family of Monaco and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, to recognize emerging and established artists in the performing arts. The five nomination categories include theater, playwriting, dance, choreography, and film.
The Princess Grace Statue Award The Princess Grace Statue Awarded is the foundation's highest honor, received by artists who distinguish themselves in their respective disciplines after receiving a previous Princess Grace Award. In addition to a $25,000 cash gift, the awardees are presented with a bronze statuette of Princess Grace created by the Dutch artist Kees Verkade. As of 2020, sixty-seven artists have received this award, including Oscar Isaac, John M. Chu, Leslie Odom Jr., Chinonye Chukwu, Gillian Murphy, David Hallberg, Anna D. Shapiro, and Rose Bond.
The Prince Rainier III Award The Prince Rainier III Award was inaugurated in 2005, after the passing of Prince Rainier. The Award is presented to established artists who are both highly celebrated in their careers and have made significant humanitarian contributions to their fields. The Award includes a grant to the philanthropic organization of the honorees's choice. Recipients to date include George Lucas, Glenn Close, Denzel Washington, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Redford, Queen Latifah and James Cameron.
Notable Princess Grace Awards Winners
Theater
Jared Mezzocchi, 2012 Theater FellowshipJared Mezzocchi. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Nicolette Robinson, 2009 Theater Scholarship, Gant Gaither Theater Award Scott Turner Schofield, 2007 Theater Fellowship - Acting, 2009 Special Project AwardScott Turner Schofield. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Oscar Isaac, 2004 Theater ScholarshipOscar Isaac. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Sam Gold, 2004 Theater Scholarship, 2018 Statue Award Leslie Odom Jr., 2002 Theater Scholarship, 2016 Statue Award Richard Kimmel, 2000 Theater FellowshipRichard Kimmel. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Anna Shapiro, 1996 Theater Apprenticeship, 2010 Statue AwardAnna Shapiro. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Michael John Garcés, 1995 Theater Fellowship, 2007 Statue Award Eric Simonson, 1994 Theater Fellowship, 2005 Statue AwardEric Simonson. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. David Barrera, 1993 Theater ScholarshipDavid Barrera. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. David Neumann, 1993 Theater Apprenticeship, 2011 Works in Progress ResidencyDavid Neumann. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Paul Tazewell, 1993 Theater Fellowship, 2004 Statue AwardPaul Tazewell. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Shishir Kurup, 1993 Theater ApprenticeshipShishir Kurup. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Donna Lynne Champlin, 1992 Theater ScholarshipDonna Lynne Champlin. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Michael Wilson, 1992 Theater Fellowship, 2001 Statue AwardMichael Wilson.Princess Grace Foundation-USA.] Ricardo Hernandez, 1992 Theater Apprenticeship, 2000 Statue Award Ty Taylor, 1990 Theater ScholarshipTy Taylor. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Yareli Arizmendi, 1990 Theater Scholarship, 1995 Statue AwardYareli Arizmendi. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Christopher Ashley, 1989 Theater Apprenticeship, 1998 Statue AwardChristopher Ashley. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Orlagh Cassidy, 1989 Theater ScholarshipOrlagh Cassidy. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Bruce Graham, 1988 Theater Fellowship, 1991 Statue Award Tina Landau, 1988 Theater Scholarship, 1999 Statue AwardTina Landau. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Patrick Page, 1988 Theater FellowshipPatrick Page. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Anthony Kushner, 1987 Theater Fellowship, 1994 Statue AwardAnthony Kushner. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Paul Warner, 1986 Theater Apprenticeship, 1987 Statue AwardPaul Warner. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Playwriting
Kenneth Lin, 2005 Playwriting FellowshipKenneth Lin. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jesse Kellerman, 2003 Playwriting FellowshipJesse Kellerman. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Madeleine George, 2002 Playwriting Fellowship Sheila Callaghan, 2000 Playwriting Fellowship, 2008 Works in Progress ResidencySheila Callaghan. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Bridget Carpenter, 1997 Playwriting FellowshipBridget Carpenter. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Adam Rapp, 1999 Playwriting Fellowship, 2006 Statue AwardAdam Rapp. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Kate Robin, 1995 Playwriting Fellowship, 2003 Statue AwardKate Robin. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Dance
Jacqueline Green, 2014 Dance Fellowship Isabella Boylston, 2009 Dance FellowshipIsabella Boylston. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jeffrey Cirio, 2009 Dance FellowshipJeffrey Cirio. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Joseph Walsh, 2009 Dance FellowshipJoseph Walsh. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Alexander Peters, 2008 Ballet ScholarshipAlexander Peters. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Blaine Hoven, 2008 Ballet FellowshipBlaine Hoven. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jermel Johnson, 2008 Ballet FellowshipJermel Johnson. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Lucien Postlewaite, 2008 Ballet FellowshipLucien Postlewaite. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Andrew Bartee, 2007 Dance Scholarship - BalletAndrew Bartee. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Brooklyn Mack, 2007 Dance Fellowship - BalletBrooklyn Mack. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Sarah Kathryn Lane, 2007 Dance Fellowship - BalletSarah Kathryn Lane. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Adrienne Benz, 2006 Dance Fellowship - BalletAdrienne Benz. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Drew Jacoby, 2005 Dance Fellowship, 2008 Special Project AwardDrew Jacoby. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. John Lam, 2005 Dance FellowshipJohn Lam. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Tiler Peck, 2004 Dance ScholarshipTiler Peck. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Christine Shevchenko, 2003 Dance ScholarshipChristine Shevchenko. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. David Hallberg, 2002 Dance FellowshipDavid Hallberg. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Michele Jimenez, 2002 Dance FellowshipMichele Jimenez. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jared Angle, 2001 Dance FellowshipJared Angle. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Gonzalo Garcia, 2000 Dance FellowshipGonzalo Garcia. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Lilyan Vigo-Ellis, 2000 Dance Fellowship, 2004 Special Project GrantLilyan Vigo-Ellis. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Michele Wiles, 1999 Dance FellowshipMichele Wiles. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Gillian Murphy, 1998 Dance Fellowship, 2009 Statue AwardGillian Murphy. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Maria Bystrova-Renko, 1998 Dance ScholarshipMaria Bystrova-Renko. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Alexandra Ansanelli, 1997 Dance FellowshipAlexandra Ansanelli. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Miranda Weese, 1995 Dance FellowshipMiranda Weese. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Carlos Acosta, 1995 Dance FellowshipCarlos Acosta. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Maria Kowroski, 1994 Dance Scholarship, 2006 Statue AwardMaria Kowroski. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, 1994 Dance Fellowship, 2017 Statue Award Derick Grant, 1993 Emerging Dance ArtistDerick Grant. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Robert Battle, 1993 Dance Scholarship, 2007 Statue AwardRobert Battle. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jennie Renee Somogyi, 1992 Dance Scholarship, 2002 Statue AwardJennie Renee Somogyi. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Riolama Lorenzo, 1992 Dance ScholarshipRiolama Lorenzo. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Ethan Stiefel, 1991 Emerging Dance Artist, 1999 Statue AwardEthan Stiefel. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Kristin Long, 1990 Emerging Dance ArtistKristin Long. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Pauline Reyniack, née Golbin, 1990 Emerging Dance Artist, 1991 Statue AwardPauline Golbin. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Tina LeBlanc-Jerkunica, 1988 Dance Fellowship, 1995 Statue AwardTina LeBlanc-Jerkunica. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Elizabeth Walker, 1988 Dance ScholarshipElizabeth Walker. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Diane Madden, 1986 Dance Fellowship, 1994 Statue AwardDiane Madden. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Terese Capucilli, 1985 Dance Scholarship, 1986 Statue AwardTerese Capucilli. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Li Cunxin, 1986 Dance Fellowship, 1993 Statue AwardCunxin. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Amanda McKerrow, 1986 Dance Fellowship, 1987 Statue AwardAmanda McKerrow. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Choreography
Olivier Wevers, 2011 Choreography FellowshipOlivier Wevers. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Zoe Scofield, 2011 Choreography FellowshipZoe Scofield. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Kyle Abraham, 2010 Dance-Choreography FellowshipKyle Abraham. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Kate Weare, 2009 Choreography FellowshipKate Weare. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Camille A. Brown, 2006 Choreography Fellowship - ModernCamille A. Brown. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Film
Chinonye Chukwu, 2009 Film Scholarship, 2019 Statue Award Ben Steinbauer, 2006 Graduate Film ScholarshipBen Steinbauer . Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Cary Joji Fukunaga, 2005 Graduate Film ScholarshipCary Joji Fukunaga. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Ben Russell, 2002 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2010 Special Project GrantBen Russell. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Ham Tran, 2001 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2006 Special Project GrantHam Tran. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Jon M. Chu, 2001 Film Scholarship, 2011 Statue Award David Riker, 1995 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2001 Statue AwardDavid Riker. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
Ilya Chaiken, 1994 Undergraduate Film Scholarship, 2003 Statue AwardIlya Chaiken. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Parine Jaddo, 1993 Graduate Film ScholarshipParine Jaddo. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Mark Christopher, 1992 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2005 Statue Award Rose Bond, 1989 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2008 Statue AwardRose Bond. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Eric Darnell, 1989 Graduate Film ScholarshipEric Darnell. Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Stephen Hillenburg, 1991 Graduate Film Scholarship, 2002 Statue AwardStephen Hillenburg. Princess Grace Foundation-USA.