Metropolitan Arts Council
Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC) is a Greenville, South Carolina-based organization that supports individual artists, arts organizations, and arts education programs in Greenville County. Its support includes grants, artist programs, and cooperative marketing opportunities.
Metropolitan Arts Council at a glance
In short: Metropolitan Arts Council gave $568K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $567,932
- +17.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,793
- +17.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $41,000
- Total assets
- $6,337,566
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (56% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Metropolitan Arts Council
- How to Apply
-
The website directs applicants to submit online applications; it says paper applications are no longer accepted. Final reports are also submitted online.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 quarterly schedule lists November 16, 2026, for the fourth-quarter deadline, for projects beginning February through April 2027. Earlier 2026 deadlines listed on the website have passed.
- Deadline
- The 2026 quarterly schedule lists November 16, 2026, for the fourth-quarter deadline, for projects beginning February…
- Contact
Mailing address: 16 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Website: https://greenvillearts.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Metropolitan Arts Council
Alaina Fisher Scholarship
Metropolitan Arts Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Artist Grants
Metropolitan Arts Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts Organization Quarterly Project Grant Program
Metropolitan Arts Council
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Metropolitan Arts Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was South Carolina Children's Theatre ($51K). Together the top 9 received $319K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 46 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MAC’s mission and grant guidelines identify Greenville County as its service area. The website says artist applicants must reside in Greenville County, and organizational applicants must be located in and serve its residents. The 2025 filing data attributes 56% of grant dollars to South Carolina recipients; the state for the remaining 44% is unspecified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Metropolitan Arts Council gives
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $230K (2020) to $568K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $568K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Other Organizations | — | $248,632 |
| South Carolina Children's Theatre Greenville, SC | — | $50,500 |
| Artisphere Greenville, SC | — | $43,000 |
| Greenville Symphony Orchestra Greenville, SC | — | $43,000 |
| Greenville Chorale Greenville, SC | — | $41,000 |
| Greenville Theatre Greenville, SC | — | $41,000 |
| The Warehouse Theatre Greenville, SC | — | $40,800 |
| Centre Stage Greenville, SC | — | $40,000 |
| Peace Center Greenville, SC | — | $10,000 |
| Greenville County Museum of Art Greenville, SC | — | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2025, MAC reported 10 grants. The filing data reports 10 grants in 2024 and 16 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,337,566 | $2,736,883 | $2,811,379 | $567,932 | 10 | $125,719 |
| 2024 | $6,038,031 | $3,634,115 | $2,785,301 | $482,200 | 10 | $150,291 |
| 2023 | $5,233,092 | $3,926,858 | $2,685,578 | $553,441 | 16 | $75,336 |
| 2022 | $3,438,834 | $2,590,039 | $2,581,612 | $510,455 | 1 | $-313,564 |
| 2021 | $3,409,693 | $2,105,516 | $1,577,504 | $331,500 | 9 | $96,749 |
| 2020 | $2,739,611 | $2,107,101 | $2,000,792 | $230,000 | 9 | $49,639 |
| 2019 | $2,465,974 | $1,950,132 | $1,945,483 | $272,300 | 10 | $78,999 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MAC’s mission is to stimulate and support artistic expression and its appreciation and enjoyment in ways that enrich the people, artists, cultural organizations, and communities of Greenville County. It says it does this by providing funding and other services to individual artists, arts organizations, and arts education programs.
Its grantmaking supports arts projects and organizations, individual artists, and arts education. For organizational project grants, MAC’s stated priorities include artist-related costs, cultural tourism, organizational capacity, access to the arts, community and economic development, and developing or attracting audiences. Its artist project grants support artistic development, such as exhibition or performance opportunities and professional development. MAC also describes SmartARTS as a partnership with Greenville County Schools that integrates the arts with other areas of education.
Among its 2025 grantees, South Carolina Children’s Theatre describes its mission as empowering and inspiring young changemakers through theatre. Greenville Symphony Association says it provides educational and cultural opportunities through live orchestral music, while Greenville Civic Chorale describes its work as promoting choral music through performance, support for singers, and community outreach.
Grantmaking
MAC reported 10 grants totaling $567,932 in 2025. Awards ranged from $10,000 to $248,632, with a median of $41,000. The largest listed award was $248,632 to “OTHER ORGANIZATIONS”; the recipient is not identified in the filing data. Other listed awards included $50,500 to South Carolina Children’s Theatre; $43,000 each to Artisphere and Greenville Symphony Orchestra; $41,000 each to Greenville Chorale and Greenville Theatre; $40,800 to The Warehouse Theatre; $40,000 to Centre Stage; and $10,000 each to Peace Center and Greenville County Museum of Art.
MAC’s website describes quarterly grant categories for artists, organizations, and schools. Artist project grants are up to $1,500 and require a 1:1 applicant-to-MAC match. Organization project grants are up to $3,000 and require a 2:1 applicant-to-MAC match. The published artist guidelines require applicants to be at least 18, not matriculating students during the grant cycle, practicing artists in specified disciplines, and Greenville County residents for at least six months before the deadline and during the grant period. Organization applicants must be eligible government or charitable organizations registered with South Carolina, located in and serving Greenville County, and able to provide the required match. Both grant pages state that applicants with outstanding MAC grant activities or reports cannot apply until those requirements are completed and approved; they also limit awards to two per applicant in a fiscal or calendar year and prohibit funding one project through two quarterly grants. Organization project applications from recipients of General Operating Support receive lower priority, according to the website.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alan Ethridge as “Executive DI” and the following people as members: Rand Baughman, Debbie Bell, Ken Betsch, Rainer Blickle, Katie Bolt, Whitney Bracket, Braden Busold, Carey Ann Campbell, and Kris Cassell.
Metropolitan Arts Council is led by Chris Fincher, Chairman since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 58 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Chris Fincher
Chairman
Member → Chairman & Member, 2024
Chairman & Member → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Alan M. Ethridge
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$129K (2019) → $236K (2025)
Andy Coburn
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Anne Woods
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Bj Koonce
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Bob Howard
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Carlos Phillips
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Carolyn Coulter
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Catherine Smith
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Chris Kavolus
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Clark Mickel
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
David Posek
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Debbie Bell
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Doug Dorman
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Edith Hardaway
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ellis Fisher
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Fabian Unterzaucher
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Gayla Day
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Genevieve Mendes Weaver
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Hank McCullough
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Hunter Garrett
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Irvine Welling III
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James W. Jones
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Janette W. Wesley
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John Creech
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Josh Smith
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kelly Odom
Past Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Past Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ken Betsch
Member
Past Chairman → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Knox White
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Laura Turner
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Luanne Runge
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Lynn Greer
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mary Burnet Johnston
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mary Hipp
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Michael Cooper
Vice Chairman
Chairman → Past Chairman, 2021
Past Chairman → Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Phil Hughes
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rainer Blickle
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rush Wilson III
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Sandy Watkins
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Steve Lambert
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tim Reed
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Andrew Huang
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Brittney Kessler
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carter Lowrance
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jackson Herlong
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kris Cassell
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Penn Williams
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Rand Baughman
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Tara Eaker
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Whitney Bracket
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Curt Hall
Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Katie Bolt
Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Braden Busold
Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Heath Dillard
Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Suzanne McGee
Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Carey Ann Campbell
Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Chuck Chitty
Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Robin Henderson
Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Brian Morris (2019–2024) — Member
- Former: Sue Priester (2019–2024) — Member
- Former: Megan Byrd (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Peter Micali (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Michael Mathers (2019–2023) — Member
- Former: Peter Tilkemeier (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Bill Stephenson (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Colby (2019–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Dave Posek (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Roger Ables (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Truman Henderson (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Dant (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Julio Hernandez (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Virginia Cebe (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Stone (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Riley (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sandy Rupp (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $236K, to Alan Ethridge (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Arts Council
How much does Metropolitan Arts Council give each year?
Metropolitan Arts Council gave $568K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $482K across 10 grants.
What is Metropolitan Arts Council's typical grant size?
Metropolitan Arts Council's median grant in 2025 was $41,000, and its average grant was $56,793, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Metropolitan Arts Council give grants?
Metropolitan Arts Council gives mostly in South Carolina: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greenville, SC (9 grants).
Who are Metropolitan Arts Council's largest grantees?
Metropolitan Arts Council's largest 2025 grantees include South Carolina Children's Theatre ($50,500), Artisphere ($43,000) and Greenville Symphony Orchestra ($43,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Metropolitan Arts Council?
Metropolitan Arts Council reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What does Metropolitan Arts Council fund?
MAC’s mission is to stimulate and support artistic expression and its appreciation and enjoyment in ways that enrich the people, artists, cultural organizations, and communities of Greenville County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Metropolitan Arts Council?
The website directs applicants to submit online applications; it says paper applications are no longer accepted. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Metropolitan Arts Council's EIN?
Metropolitan Arts Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-0560186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 19, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in South Carolina
South Carolina Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Metropolitan Arts Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/metropolitan-arts-council-morg_3677b01c86c7492cb2c4b160618142f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_570560186_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Metropolitan Arts Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/metropolitan-arts-council-morg_3677b01c86c7492cb2c4b160618142f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Metropolitan Arts Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Metropolitan Arts Council down — hundreds of funders to go?