Artist Support Grants

For artists in Region 18 - Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties

Eligibility and Scope

The Artist Support Grant is intended to support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts. Eligible candidates may be either emerging or established artists. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists.

Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.

Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in the region where they are applying for at least one year before the consortium’s application deadline. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. The consortium may require proof of residence and status. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend most of the All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, and meet the other eligibility requirements. Résumés documenting residence for all team members should be included with the application.

Multiple Awards — Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have already received funding for FY2020–2021 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply.

Conflict of Interest — Current board and staff members of the consortium partner organizations and their family members are not eligible to apply for the award.

Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, nonstudent artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant. Artists in certificate programs are generally eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria. Other questions and special circumstances should be discussed with N.C. Arts Council

Eligible Projects and Costs

In project year 2021-2022, applicants may apply for up to 50 percent of the grant to support artist fees.

Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies or equipment (digital may qualify) or space rental)
Career Promotion — Projects aimed at advertising artists’ work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, and online presentation)

Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) aimed at either enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development (e.g., a master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authorities in the applicant artist’s medium)

Travel — Costs of transportation, lodging, and food for training, professional conferences, or research as allowed or possible while adhering to social distancing guidelines

Ineligible Projects and Costs

Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education
Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office
Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group
Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work)
Nonprofit initiatives

Evaluation Criteria

Artistic Merit

Demonstrated talent in an art form and overall excellence of the artist's work
Clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist

Project Merit

Feasibility of the proposed project
Benefit of the proposed project to the artist's professional growth

Review Process

All completed Artist Support Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals with experience in various disciplines. Panelists will score each application based on the above evaluation criteria.