Arts Organization Quarterly Project Grant Program

The Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC), a long-standing arts development nonprofit based in Greenville, South Carolina, administers the Arts Organization Quarterly Project Grant Program to support the vitality and growth of arts organizations in Greenville County. Founded over 50 years ago, MAC plays a key role in funding and providing technical assistance to local artists, arts educators, and organizations. This grant initiative forms part of its broader mission to promote access, education, and participation in the arts, aiming to ensure that residents and visitors of Greenville benefit from a rich cultural landscape. The purpose of the Quarterly Project Grant Program is to fund projects that make a demonstrable impact on the local community. Eligible projects may include those that ensure consistent financial support for artist payments, expand arts access, enhance organizational capacity, stimulate local economic development through arts-driven events, or promote cultural tourism. Projects that develop or attract new audiences to the arts are particularly encouraged. Allowable expenditures include artist fees, marketing efforts, and production or exhibition costs. Overhead and staffing costs may be considered only on a case-by-case basis. Organizations applying must be located in Greenville County and must have official charitable status registered with South Carolina’s Secretary of State. Each applicant must also demonstrate its ability to meet the required 2:1 match funding ratio, which necessitates that the applicant provide twice the requested amount. Grants can be awarded up to a maximum of $3,000. Organizations are limited to two awards per calendar year and cannot use two separate quarterly grants to fund a single project. Projects submitted by organizations that already receive General Operating Support (GOS) from MAC are deprioritized and are instead encouraged to participate as collaborators on other projects. The application process requires submission of a fully completed online application form through the MAC website. Applications must include general organizational information, a detailed narrative outlining the proposed project, an itemized budget, and optional support materials such as artist resumes or past promotional content. Incomplete applications may negatively impact scoring and funding outcomes. The grant panel evaluates proposals based on artistic merit, community impact, project feasibility, and adherence to the grant’s criteria and requirements. Applications are due quarterly and must be submitted online by 11:45 p.m. ET on the deadline dates: February 14, May 15, August 15, and November 14. Each deadline corresponds to a specific project initiation window. Applicants are informed of funding decisions within two weeks of the panel’s review session. Selected grantees receive 50% of the award upon contract signing, with the remainder disbursed after submission and approval of a final report within six months of the project’s completion. The grant cycle is recurring, with applications reopening for new quarterly deadlines each year.

Emphasize project feasibility, community impact, diversity in audience reach, and confirmed logistical planning. Incomplete applications lose points. Collaboration with non-GOS partners is encouraged.