Gaston Arts Council

Artist Support Grant

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ABOUT

What are Artist Support Grants?
Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

WHO MAY APPLY

These grants support professional artists in any discipline and at any stage in their careers to pursue projects that further their artistic and professional development.

SCOPE AND ALLOWABLE EXPENSES

Types of fundable projects include:

• Creation of new work
• Purchase of equipment and materials
• Professional development workshops
• Travel support for expenses associated with a professional opportunity such as participating in an exhibition or a conference
• Development or upgrading of promotional materials such as brochures, DVDs, CDs, and websites

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program. Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

PROJECT PERIOD

Projects must be completed by December 31, 2023.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

All regions are currently accepting applications for year three of the N.C. Artist Support Grant, FY 2022-23.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY

• 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 Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln or Rowan County for at least one year before September 12, 2022. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend most of the year. 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. Resumes 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 FY2022–2023 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply. Artist Support Grant Recipients with projects funded during the 2022 cycle are ineligible to apply in the 2023 cycle.
• 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.
• FY22 Artist Support Grant Recipients— Artists who received an award through this program in FY22 will not be considered for funding in FY23.
• 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.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND COSTS

Up to 50 percent of the grant amount may be used for artist fees. Projects can support the following expenses:

• 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)

DEADLINE

All applicants are required to apply through our online application system before NOON on September 12, 2022.

APPLY NOW

Evaluation Criteria

• Overall excellence of the applicant’s artwork as demonstrated by work samples
• Feasibility of the proposed project
• Contribution of the proposed project to the advancement of the applicant’s professional artistic development and practice

Review Process

All completed Artist Support Grant applications will be judged by a multi-county panel of established artists, arts professionals, arts educators and administrators who will review and evaluate the applications and allocate funds for selected projects

APPLICATION INFORMATION

All regions are currently accepting applications for year three of the N.C. Artist Support Grant, FY 2022-23.

Information Sessions (registration required)

• Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, at 3 p.m. 
  RSVP Required
• Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at 3 p.m. 
  RSVP Required