The Grassroots Arts Program Grant is a long-standing initiative of the North Carolina Arts Council designed to ensure all residents of North Carolina have access to high-quality arts experiences. Since its inception in 1977, the program has expanded to all 100 counties in the state. The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County serves as the Designated County Partner for this initiative, administering local subgrants to arts organizations within New Hanover County. For FY 2025-2026, a total of $75,000 will be distributed through this program.
This funding opportunity supports both the execution of arts programs and the operational needs of arts organizations. Eligible expenses include professional artists' fees, travel, venue rental, advertising, and equipment rentals, among others. Additionally, general operating expenses such as salaries, utilities, and office supplies may be covered if the organization does not already receive operating support from the N.C. Arts Council. Grant awards typically range between $500 and $5,000 and must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the grantee.
To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit or nonprofit-equivalent organizations that have operated for at least one year. They must also be based in New Hanover County and conduct their projects within the same geographical area. Individual applicants are not eligible. All funded projects must occur between July 1, 2025, and June 15, 2026.
Applications are open from May 1 through June 13, 2025, and must be submitted via email to grants@artswilmington.org. Submissions sent to other email addresses will not be considered. Two optional Zoom-based grant workshops are scheduled: one on Tuesday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. and another on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:00 p.m. These sessions aim to guide applicants through the process and increase their likelihood of success.
The Arts Council of Wilmington and NHC is a nonpartisan organization that also serves as the official arts agency for both the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County. Beyond its grantmaking functions, the council engages in public art initiatives and professional development for artists. Interested applicants can contact the council via email at info@artswilmington.org or by phone at 910-343-0998. The office is located at 221 N. Front Street, Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28401, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 1973, Wilmington, NC 28402.
Attend one of the scheduled Zoom workshops to increase understanding of requirements and improve application quality
