Folklife & Traditional Arts Project Grants

The Folklife & Traditional Arts Project Grants are administered by the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) to support the preservation and promotion of traditional arts throughout the state. Rooted in SCAC’s commitment to fostering vibrant community life through cultural expression, the grant program is designed to ensure that South Carolina's diverse living traditions are not only preserved but remain active components of the state’s cultural identity. Traditional arts, as defined by the SCAC, are expressions of shared identity developed within cultural communities and passed down through generations. These may be connected to ethnic, familial, occupational, geographic, tribal, or religious backgrounds and evolve over time through both continuity and innovation. The purpose of the grant is to provide funding support for nonprofit organizations, government units, and colleges or universities that are working to preserve, promote, and document these traditional arts. Applicants may propose projects such as public presentations, performances, exhibitions, cultural fieldwork, documentation, or training programs that involve traditional artists and practices. Importantly, projects must be rooted in authentic traditional arts practice rather than re-creations or interpretations. Documentation projects are also eligible if they culminate in a public presentation or accessible archive. Funding of up to $6,000 is available per grant, with a mandatory 1:1 match from the applicant. At least 50% of the matching funds must be cash, and SCAC funds may not be used to match other SCAC grants. Applicants may receive up to 80% of their total grant award before the final report is submitted. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. This opportunity may be funded in part by federal dollars, and if so, applicants will be informed and must ensure the match is non-federal in origin. Eligible applicants include South Carolina-based nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and units of state or local government. Applicants must either be registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State as a charity or possess an exemption letter and must hold federal tax-exempt status. Alternatively, applicants may apply through a qualifying fiscal agent or receiver organization with a clear working relationship documented. A valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) is also required. Ineligible applicants include commissioners and staff of the SCAC and their immediate families. Applications are submitted through the SCAC grants portal, which utilizes the Foundant platform. Applicants are strongly encouraged to preview the application and consult with SCAC’s Arts Industry Manager prior to submission to confirm eligibility and project alignment with the program's guidelines. Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance to traditional arts, clarity of project planning, community impact, and compliance with legal and program requirements. Priority will be given to organizations proposing activities in or located within SCAC-designated Opportunity Initiative Counties, such as Allendale, Bamberg, and others. The deadline to apply is April 23, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET. While the portal remains open until midnight, applicants should note that SCAC staff are unavailable for assistance after 5 p.m. on the deadline day. Only one application per fiscal year may be submitted by a given organization or university department. The primary contact listed on the application must be an internal member of the applicant organization and will be responsible for all communications and reporting throughout the grant cycle.