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

Playwriting

Dance

Choreography

Film