ASC Culture Blocks for Organizations in North Carolina

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) of Charlotte-Mecklenburg serves as the county’s Local Arts Agency and cultural catalyst, supporting inclusive access to the arts, sciences, and historical programming. Through strategic leadership, ASC aims to foster upward mobility and cultural retention across the community. Its Culture Blocks initiative, funded by Mecklenburg County and delivered in collaboration with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, exemplifies ASC’s mission by funding accessible, community-driven cultural experiences in underserved areas. Culture Blocks provides financial support to nonprofit organizations for the delivery of diverse cultural programs in Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville. These programs are hosted in public venues such as libraries, recreation centers, parks, and community spaces, making cultural experiences accessible to residents where they live. Eligible programming spans visual arts, dance, theater, writing, culinary arts, music, festivals, and multicultural events, and must be free to the public. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and must propose programming that aligns with community feedback gathered through ASC Community Gatherings. A key element of the application is demonstrating how local input has directly informed the proposed cultural experience. The grant focuses on direct delivery of programming rather than organizational capacity-building, excluding items like ongoing staff salaries, technology purchases, or capital equipment. Programs must serve all ages, prioritize access, and be delivered within designated areas. Food and beverage costs are generally not allowed unless for specific use cases such as snacks for youth programs. Applications for the FY26 Culture Blocks funding open on July 11, 2025, and close on August 18, 2025, at noon Eastern Time. Programming must occur between January 1 and December 31, 2026. A maximum of $40,000 may be requested, though partial funding is possible based on budget availability and program distribution across community blocks. Only one application is allowed per organization per cycle to ensure equity in funding. Award notifications will be issued by September 30, 2025. All program expenses must be submitted using the official budget template. Additionally, ASC provides opportunities for applicants to schedule 15-minute feedback meetings between July 16 and August 6, and draft applications can be submitted for review by August 1. Programs will be evaluated by a panel of Mecklenburg County representatives, library staff, community members, and artists. Applications are scored based on feasibility, alignment with the Culture Blocks mission, responsiveness to community input, and clarity of the marketing and communications plan. Final decisions will be submitted for board approval following the panel review and scoring process. For further assistance or questions, applicants may contact the Culture Blocks team at cultureblocks@artsandscience.org.

Attend info sessions and submit draft by August 1. Only one application allowed; prioritize best proposal.