Artist Quarterly Project Grants Program

The Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC), a prominent nonprofit arts service and development agency based in Greenville County, South Carolina, has supported artistic growth in the region for over 50 years. Through a combination of public and private funding, including from sources like BMW Manufacturing Company and the South Carolina Arts Commission, MAC delivers technical and financial assistance to artists and arts organizations. One of its core offerings is the Artist Quarterly Project Grants Program, which supports practicing individual artists in Greenville County by underwriting actual project expenses that contribute directly to artistic development. This includes, but is not limited to, exhibition costs, marketing and publicity initiatives, participation in professional development workshops or conferences, and other engagement opportunities aimed at enhancing the artists' careers. This grant program is open to practicing artists across disciplines—dance, music, literature, media, theater, and visual arts—who are at least 21 years old, not currently students, and have been permanent residents of Greenville County for at least six months before applying. A 1:1 match from the applicant is required, and a single project may not be funded more than once per year. The maximum grant amount is $1,500. Artists must be able to demonstrate that their project is fully conceptualized and planned at the time of submission, with confirmed dates, locations, and itemized budgets. MAC specifically excludes funding projects that are still in the conceptual phase. Applications are accepted quarterly, with deadlines set for February 14, May 15, August 15, and November 14, each corresponding to future project periods within the next calendar year. All submissions must be completed online by 11:45 PM Eastern Time on the deadline day. Mailed or faxed applications are no longer accepted. Applicants must include general contact details, a narrative describing the project, a detailed budget using MAC’s template, and supporting materials such as résumés, portfolios, media clippings, or promotional documents. Optional supplemental material may strengthen the application but is not mandatory. Applications are evaluated based on artistry and feasibility (60%), public impact (15%), project management (20%), and compliance with application requirements (5%). Scoring is conducted by a panel of community members with diverse arts expertise. Applicants may be invited to attend a five-minute meeting with the panel to answer questions and clarify project goals. Panelists’ scores are averaged and used to rank applications, which are then submitted to the MAC board for final funding decisions. Notifications are typically issued within two weeks of the panel’s review. If a grant is awarded, MAC will disburse 50% of the funding upon receipt of a signed contract. The remaining 50% is provided after the project is completed and a final report is submitted and approved. This final report, due within six months of the contract date, must include a summary of the project’s accomplishments, actual budget documentation, and proof of acknowledgment of MAC’s support in project materials. Extensions may be requested if a project cannot be completed within this period. The grant is recurring, operating on a quarterly basis with consistent annual deadlines. The next cycle following the final 2025 deadline is expected to open in February 2026. Applicants can reach MAC directly via phone at 864-467-3132 or by email at mac@greenvillearts.com for additional support or inquiries.

Ensure project is fully planned with venue, budget, and goals; incomplete applications are penalized.