Emerging Artist Alumni Grants

The Emerging Artist Alumni Grants are administered by the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) to provide funding and professional development opportunities to individual artists who have previously received and successfully completed an Emerging Artist grant between FY21 and FY25 (January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2025). This program supports artists in advancing their creative careers through project-based funding, along with structured engagement in professional learning activities. Grantees may receive up to $5,000 to implement a well-defined artistic project aligned with their original grant discipline, enabling them to build on prior progress and reach new milestones in their careers. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and legal residents of South Carolina who have maintained permanent residency in the state for at least one year prior to application submission and throughout the grant period. Applicants must not be degree-seeking students during the grant period and must apply as individuals, not groups or ensembles. Additionally, they must not have previously received this alumni grant. The grant program supports a broad array of disciplines, including but not limited to dance, music, theater, literature, visual arts, crafts, design arts, media arts, folklore, public art, and interdisciplinary practices. Folk and traditional artists are also encouraged to apply, provided their work reflects culturally rooted practices passed through generations. During the grant period, recipients are required to participate in quarterly one-on-one virtual meetings with SCAC’s Artist Development and Arts Industry Coordinator, submit quarterly progress reports, and complete specific professional learning requirements. These include four virtual activities through CreativeStudy.com and at least one session of the SCAC’s Artist Entrepreneur Incubator (AEI). These engagement components ensure that funding is not only transactional but also tied to a framework that nurtures artist sustainability and development. The use of funds is restricted to project-related costs and may cover consumable and non-consumable items such as materials, equipment, furniture, and professional services. However, grants may not be used for general operating expenses, professional development not tied to the proposed project, personal living costs, or stipends for the applicant. Indirect costs must not exceed 10% of the total grant, with the majority allocated to direct project execution. Applications must be submitted through SCAC’s grants portal, which operates on the Foundant platform. Interested applicants are advised to consult the Grants Portal FAQ to understand the technical requirements and prepare accordingly. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 14, 2026, though technical support will not be available after 5:00 p.m. on that day. SCAC will prioritize applications from artists located in or proposing work in Opportunity Initiative counties, including Allendale, Bamberg, Calhoun, Edgefield, Hampton, Lee, Marlboro, Saluda, Union, and Williamsburg. Final awards are issued as reimbursements, and artists must ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024) regarding the prohibition of obscene content in publicly funded projects.