Art of Community: Rural SC Grants

Art of Community: Rural SC Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: South Carolina Arts Commission
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Summary

The Art of Community: Rural SC Grants, offered by the South Carolina Arts Commission, aims to enhance community access to the arts in rural areas. By supporting arts-based projects, this grant encourages public engagement and collaboration among local residents. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, colleges, and government entities. Priority is given to projects that develop artistic skills and foster creativity, addressing specific challenges faced by rural communities in South Carolina.

Overview

South Carolina Arts Commission Vision We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences. Mission The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. Art of Community: Rural SC Grants Purpose This grant supports arts-based projects throughout rural South Carolina that use the arts to address issues and challenges in rural communities. The project must serve the rural community in which the applicant is located. Grant-funded activities should: expand community access to the arts in rural areas andinclude a public engagement component andengage a project steering committee to lead the project.A project steering committee is the group of people who will be collaborating on and leading this project. This group should have a strong understanding of the project and the applicant organization.The project steering committee is responsible for, but not limited to, providing advice and direction, setting the project timeline and budget, monitoring the quality of the project, evaluating, and monitoring success of the project, and defining project outcomes. Projects Projects must support one or more of the following artistic disciplines: Dance (choreography or performance)Music (composition or performance)Opera/musical theatre (production or performance)Theatre (performance or playwriting)Visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, or printmaking)Crafts (ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, or wood)PhotographyDesign arts (architecture, fashion, graphic, industrial, or interior)Media arts (film, animation, including production or screenwriting)Literature (poetry or prose)Spoken word/slam poetryTime-based arts (installation, sound, video art, animation, film, computer generated art, or performance art)Public art (ephemeral or permanent) All projects must: include a public engagement component ANDprovide opportunities forparticipants to develop their own artistic skills and/or produce their own artistic work; ORartistic development for artists through activities such as residencies or workshops; ORusing the arts in new contexts.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The applicant must bea college or university; ORa unit of state or local government, ORa public library, public library authority, network of public library authorities, or organization managing a public library authority as defined under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964; ORa nonprofit organization currently registered as a charity with the S.C. Secretary of State’s OfficeNote: Applicants who are exempt from this registration must upload their registration exemption approval.reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documentswith federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service OR applying through a tax-exempt fiscal agent/receiver organizationNote: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver must submit a letter outlining the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, public school districts, government entities, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid UEI number to receive an SCAC grant award.If an applicant organization is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate UEI numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver. Exceptions to separate UEI numbers are organizations run by a local government or a school district.Applicants may submit only one (1) application per fiscal year.College and university departments are eligible, but only one (1) application per department per fiscal year will be accepted.Grant funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non consumable items needed to complete the proposed project. Those might include but are not limited to:Artist residenciesExhibitionsDigital projectsArts festivalsWorkshopsCommunity muralsEquipment (e.g., kilns, lighting or sound equipment, musical instruments, storage)Furniture (e.g., easels, music stands)Professional services (e.g., performance space rental, web designer, consultant fees)Artistic services (e.g., muralist, performers, instructors)Any activities carried out within this grant must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.Matching RequirementsTIER 1: 1:3 (applicant:SCAC)A 1:3 match means that for each dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.33 of their own funds.For example, if the total project cost is $1,800, the applicant may request $1,350 and must provide the remaining $450 from other sources.Tier 1 counties: Abbeville, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Hampton, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, WilliamsburgTIER 2: 1:2 (applicant:SCAC)A 1:2 match means that for each dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.50 of their own funds.For example, if the total project cost is $1,800, the applicant may request $1,200 and must provide the remaining $600 from other sources.Tier 2 counties: Calhoun, Chester, Darlington, Edgefield, Fairfield, Georgetown, Greenwood, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Saluda, UnionTIER 3: 1:1 (applicant:SCAC)A 1:1 match means that for each dollar granted, the grantee must match with $1.00 of their own funds.For example, if the total project cost is $1,800, the applicant may request $900 and must provide the remaining $900 from other sources.Tier 3 counties: Aiken, Anderson, Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Dorchester, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Lexington, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg, Sumter, YorkUp to 50% of the grantee’s match may be in-kind donation of materials and contracted services that are essential to the project.Examples of “in-kind” include: a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project, a facility donation to host an event, a local craft store donates supplies for a community mural.

Ineligibility

Schools and school districts are not eligible.Individual artists are not eligible.Any arts material or activity that is already funded by an SCAC grant may not be duplicated in, or overlap with, an Art of Community: Rural SC grant application.Administrative support fees may not exceed 15% of the total project budget.These grant funds cannot be used for:New construction/facilities constructionAny activities primarily intended for fundraisingGoods for resaleLobbyingCosts not directly related to the artsCapital expenses or purchasesScholarships or prizesEndowment fundsOperational supportProfessional developmentEntertainment expenses, such as receptions, staff/member parties, awards, flowers, etc.Food, beverages, alcohol, catering servicesFunds may not be matched with another SCAC grant or with any federal funds.