Professional Development Grants for Arts Organizations

South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, supports the development, sustainability, and growth of arts organizations across the southeastern United States. Through its Professional Development Grants for Arts Organizations, South Arts provides targeted funding to strengthen organizational capacity by investing in training, skill building, and knowledge sharing for arts administrators, staff, and boards. The program is part of South Arts’ mission to advance Southern vitality through the arts and to promote resilience, innovation, and sustainability among small and mid-sized organizations across the nine-state region it serves. The Professional Development Grants program offers financial assistance to arts organizations seeking to expand staff expertise and organizational effectiveness through participation in professional development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and trainings. Grants may fund both in-person and virtual learning events. Eligible expenses include travel costs (lodging, airfare, and local transportation), registration or admission fees, and consultant or service fees associated with staff-wide training. The funding is intended to support “first-time” participation in these opportunities, directly tied to the organization’s arts programming and operations. To qualify, applicants must be tax-exempt nonprofit arts organizations, government units, or federally recognized tribal communities located within South Arts’ nine-state service area: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Organizations must have annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less, possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and demonstrate compliance with federal and state nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements. Fiscally sponsored organizations, for-profit entities, individuals, and non-arts organizations are not eligible. Applicants must also provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match and may request between $250 and $1,000, representing up to 50% of total project expenses. Applications open on July 16, 2025, and are accepted on a rolling basis, but must be submitted at least sixty days before the start of the proposed professional development activity. Eligible projects must occur between October 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Applicants will receive funding notifications within four weeks of submission. All funding is contingent upon the availability of program resources, and awards are not transferable to other activities or events. Mileage and per diem reimbursements follow South Arts’ standard rates, and receipts are required for all expenses other than meals or mileage. Applications are submitted online through South Arts’ Salesforce portal, which requires account creation and supporting documentation uploads such as proof of government status (if applicable), organizational history, and details of the proposed event or training. Evaluation is based on four weighted criteria: Artistic Excellence (25%), Project Artistic Merit (30%), Project Impact (35%), and Capacity (10%). Reviewers assess the artistic quality of the applicant’s work, the value of the professional development opportunity, potential impact on the organization and its communities, and evidence of sound planning and budgeting. Applicants are encouraged to contact Program Director Nikki Estes at 404-874-7244 ext. 816 prior to submission to confirm eligibility. South Arts emphasizes readiness and sustainability planning and encourages all applicants to maintain a continuity plan, referencing its partnership with the Northeast Document Conservation Center’s dPlan|ArtsReady initiative. This program provides free tools to help arts organizations prepare for operational disruptions. Successful grantees must comply with South Arts’ reporting and acknowledgment requirements and may appeal funding decisions under specific procedural conditions if warranted.

Contact program director before submission; submit at least 60 days before event; ensure UEI and receipts are current; emphasize sustainability and impact.