Small Grants for Individual Artists

The Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County offers the Small Grants Program for Individual Artists as part of its ongoing mission to support high-quality arts initiatives within Tuscaloosa County. Established in 1986, this local program has awarded over $160,000 to regional artists and organizations. The grant aims to empower artists to pursue meaningful, small-scale, or pilot arts projects that contribute to the cultural and artistic enrichment of the local community. In particular, the grant prioritizes initiatives that are innovative and demonstrate artistic excellence but may not be self-sustaining financially. The grant program is designed for professional artists residing in Tuscaloosa County. Applicants must have a demonstrated record of artistic achievement within the community. Affiliation with the Arts and Humanities Council is not a prerequisite for eligibility. Priority is given to artists who have not previously received funding through this program and are not current recipients of Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) grants. The grant serves to fund specific short-term opportunities such as workshops, seminars, educational travel, or mentorships with master artists. The available grant funding for each individual artist is between $100 and $750. As of July 2023, the 1:1 matching requirement has been waived for the Individual Artist Grant, reducing the financial burden on applicants and broadening access. Funding is not available for certain activities, including debt retirement, political or lobbying activities, fundraising events, food and beverage costs, undergraduate projects, and initiatives tied to fraternal or religious orders. The project period must occur between October 1 and May 15 of the following year. If October 1 falls on a weekend, the application deadline will be the following business day. Applicants must submit a complete application and any required supporting materials by October 1, 2025. Applications may be submitted via email or in person. Incomplete applications will be disqualified, and all applicants will be notified of award decisions by October 31, 2025. Projects may receive 50 percent of the grant amount in advance if requested, with the balance awarded upon submission and approval of a final evaluation report. Successful applicants are required to submit a final report detailing the financial and programmatic outcomes of their project within 30 days of completion or by May 15, whichever comes first. The grant emphasizes measurable goals, community impact, educational benefits, and the involvement of professional artists. Applicants are expected to address these evaluation criteria clearly in their proposal, along with outlining the significance of their project and evidence of community engagement. Questions regarding the Small Grants Program for Individual Artists can be directed to Sandra Wolfe, Executive Director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County, via email at director@tuscarts.org. Full program guidelines and application materials are available through the council’s website or may be accessed directly at the provided PDF link.

Ensure all required materials are complete and submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.