Arts in Rural Places Grants

South Arts, a regional nonprofit organization supporting creative vitality across the Southern United States, administers the Arts in Rural Places Grant program to strengthen access to the arts for communities that are small, rural, or geographically and economically isolated. The initiative emphasizes equitable distribution of arts experiences by funding public programming that features Southern artists and engages communities that may otherwise have limited access to professional creative opportunities. Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are designed to support artist fees for a range of artistic disciplines, including film, traditional, visual, performing, and literary arts. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and federally recognized tribal communities located in South Arts’ nine-state region—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Organizations must be located in rural or small communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer. Projects must involve the engagement of a Southern artist who resides in one of the nine states and include at least two public-facing activities that feature at least two hours of artist engagement, such as performances, exhibitions, readings, workshops, or discussions. Funding is provided solely to cover artist fees, with grant awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match. The program excludes indirect or administrative costs and supports only one artist or ensemble per application. This structure ensures that the maximum funding directly benefits artists and community participants. Organizations that received certain South Arts grants in FY24 or FY25 (Presentation, Traditional Arts Touring, or Express Grants) are not eligible for the FY26 cycle to prioritize new applicants. Applications open July 16, 2025, and are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. All applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the project start date, and projects must occur between October 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Applicants will receive notification within four weeks of submission. All projects are contingent upon available program funding. The application process is managed through South Arts’ Salesforce-based portal, where applicants upload proof of eligibility, artist agreements, work samples, and supplementary materials. Applications are evaluated based on four weighted criteria: Artistic Excellence of the Artist (25%), Artistic Merit of the Project (30%), Project Impact (35%), and Capacity (10%). Projects must be open to the public, adhere to accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities, and align with the mission of South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Applicants may contact program director Nikki Estes at 404-874-7244 x816 for guidance. The grant’s performance period concludes June 30, 2026, and appeals of funding decisions must be submitted in writing within 15 days of notification to South Arts’ President and CEO.

Contact program staff early; ensure eligibility and 1:1 cash match; plan two public-facing events; include accessibility; submit early due to rolling funds.