Deadline: 1-Oct-20
Artist Support Grants (previously called Professional Development Grants and Regional Artist Project Grants) fund professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.
Artist Support Grants support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and interdisciplinary arts.
The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County is committed to making the grant application process accessible to people with disabilities.
Grant Information
- Up to $1,500
Eligibility Criteria
- Individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists who have lived in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake County for at least one year are eligible to apply
- Application workshops provide information about the grant process and tips on strengthening your application.
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Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.
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Applicants must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.
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Artists should have lived continuously in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake County for at least one year prior to the October 1, 2020 application deadline. Proof of residence may be required.
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If applying as an unincorporated group of collaborating artists, all members must live in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake County, and meet the other eligibility requirements.
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Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have received funding for FY2020–2021 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply.
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Current board and staff members of Chatham Arts Council, Harnett County Government, Johnston County Arts Council, Lee County Arts Council, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
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Only adult, non-student artists are eligible to apply. 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.
Eligible Projects and Costs
- Artist Fees: Up to 50 percent of the grant may be used to pay the artist applicant for their work on the project
- 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 either at 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.
Budget Preparation Tips
- Project Expenses must occur during the project period, January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021.
- Itemize a list of ALL project expenses in the Project Budget table provided within the online application.
- The proposed project’s expenses should provide detail.
- The budget should be consistent with the project described in the project narrative.
- Review figures for accuracy.
- Round figures to the nearest dollar.
- Do not include “$” signs, only numbers.
- Up to 50% of the grant may be used to pay the artist applicant for their work on the project.
- Include materials and supplies, equipment rental or purchase, space rental, and promotion and marketing fees.
- Be sure to list any other expenses related to your proposed project. These may include artist fees—for example, dancers, other musicians, scene designers, and so on. And they can also encompass non-artist professional fees—for photographers, consultants, sound technicians, and so forth. Take time to research the fair value of each of these expenses by getting quotes from several different sources.
- If applicable, your budget should also include additional sources of income for your proposed project, including other grants/donations and funding that you are providing. Show your own financial contribution to the project and other sources of income. Expense of your own money is not required; nevertheless, if you can show you are investing your own funds (over and above your time) to accomplish a project, your commitment to it will be obvious. If you are pursuing or have secured donations from others, especially for more ambitious projects, say so. Just leave enough room on the expected income side of your budget to make it clear that you do need the grant.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be rated on three criteria: artistic merit, project feasibility, and contribution to the development of the artist’s career.
The following measures of artistic and project merit will be considered:
- Demonstrated talent in an art form and overall excellence of the artist’s work
- A clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist
- The benefit of the proposed project to the artist’s professional growth
- Feasibility of the proposed project
For more information, visit https://unitedarts.org/grants/artist-support-grants/