Artist Support Grants in North Carolina

The Artist Support Grant is designed to assist a wide range of talented artists working in visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts. This program welcomes both emerging and established artists who dedicate a significant portion of their time to their artistic practice. It is open to individual artists as well as small, unincorporated collectives of collaborating artists, provided they meet the residency and eligibility requirements. All applicants must be at least 18 years old and either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Applicants must have lived continuously for at least one year prior to the consortium’s application deadline in the region where they apply. For artist teams, all members must be North Carolina residents living in the same eligible region, meeting the same criteria. Proof of residency and legal status may be required, and résumés documenting residence for all team members must be included. Artists who split their time between multiple regions should apply in the region where they reside for the majority of the year. Sole proprietors of organizations already funded by the N.C. Arts Council for FY 2025–2026 are ineligible, and prior awardees must wait at least two years after receiving an award before reapplying. Board and staff members of consortium partner organizations, along with their immediate family members, are also ineligible. This grant can fund projects that help artists complete or present new work, promote their career, obtain training, or cover travel for professional purposes. Up to 50% of the award may be used for artist fees. Eligible expenses include purchasing supplies or equipment (digital equipment may qualify), renting space for creative work, developing websites or portfolios, producing audio-visual documentation, presenting work online, and participating in classes, workshops, or master classes led by recognized experts. Travel costs related to training, research, or professional conferences—such as transportation, lodging, and meals—are also eligible. Ineligible uses include scholarships for degree programs, projects supporting or opposing political candidates, activities exclusive to members of a specific religious faith, nonprofit initiatives, and projects unrelated to the applicant’s artistic growth. Before applying, all applicants must contact the arts council in their county of residence to arrange a meeting. The online application link will be provided after this consultation. Applications must be submitted online by midnight on September 30, 2025. Each county’s designated contact person, along with their email and phone number, is listed in the program materials. A Region 14 Artist Support Grant Webinar will be held on August 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM to provide additional guidance. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of arts professionals with expertise across disciplines. Reviewers will assess artistic merit—based on demonstrated talent, quality of work, and commitment to a professional artistic career—and project merit, which includes the potential benefit to the artist’s growth and the feasibility of the proposed activities. Only complete applications will be considered. Region-specific contacts are provided for counties within Region 14, including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, and McDowell. Contact information for designated arts council representatives includes email addresses and phone numbers for direct applicant support.