Cultural Districts Grants

The Cultural Districts Grants program, administered by the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC), is designed to support creative placemaking efforts within officially designated South Carolina Cultural Districts. These grants are intended to enhance and implement initiatives that align with each district's strategic plan. The goal is to strengthen the presence of arts, culture, and design through community-driven programming that encourages cross-sector collaboration and public engagement. The program specifically funds projects that integrate arts or cultural activities, involve partnerships with non-arts entities, and ensure public interaction and artist involvement. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, festivals, performances, public art installations, and community workshops. All proposed activities must occur within the district’s approved geographic boundaries and reflect the priorities established in its strategic plan. The funding is structured as an expense reimbursement grant, meaning costs must be incurred and documented before reimbursement is issued. Eligibility is limited to units of local government representing currently designated S.C. Cultural Districts in good standing. “Good standing” requires annual report compliance and active steering committees comprised of at least five members representing diverse district interests. Fiscal agents, such as nonprofit liaisons, may participate as collaborators but cannot serve as the official applicant. A valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) is required for all applicants, and all projects must comply with federal, state, and local laws, including prohibitions on obscene content as defined by South Carolina Code § 16-15-305. Grant awards are capped at $10,000, and applicants must demonstrate a 1:2 match, meaning for every dollar awarded by SCAC, the grantee contributes $0.50. This match must be at least 50% cash and cannot include funds from other SCAC grants. Eligible expenses include artist fees, event production costs, marketing, and travel, while ineligible expenses include salaries for city employees, food, fundraisers, competitions, and capital purchases. Indirect costs are limited to no more than 10% of the grant amount. The application process is managed through SCAC’s Foundant grants portal. Applicants are advised to consult the Grants Portal FAQ prior to starting. The application deadline is April 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. However, staff support is only available until 5 p.m. on the deadline day. The grant period spans from August 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. Only one application may be submitted per Cultural District per grant cycle. For assistance, applicants may contact Harvee L. White, SCAC’s Public Art Coordinator, via phone or email.

Review SCAC’s Arts Directory; use Verified Teaching Artists where required.