Artist Creative Practice Grant

The Artist Creative Practice Grant by South Arts supports individual artists in various disciplines by funding professional development opportunities. This grant ensures that artists can access vital experiences that enhance their careers, covering up to 2/3 of the total costs with awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. By promoting artistic growth, South Arts aims to elevate the cultural landscape of the Southern United States and foster meaningful connections within communities.

Note: This has a Rolling Deadline with final applications due no later than the deadline indicated above.
South Arts Inc
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.
South Arts recognizes the importance of professional development in building artists’ careers. Even with stipends or payments, overall expenses can make participating in these opportunities inaccessible. South Arts offers Artist Creative Practice Grants (formerly Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants) to ensure that artists from our region can take advantage of a variety of career enhancing opportunities.
The Artist Creative Practice Grant supports a variety of professional development opportunities including milestone activities in an artist's career that will likely lead to substantial career growth.
Awards
Artist Creative Practice Grants will pay up to 2/3 of the total cost of the opportunity, with a $500 minimum award and a $3,000 maximum award.

Eligibility

The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be an individual professional-caliber working artist in one or more of the following artistic disciplines:

Dance (choreography or performance).Music (production, composition, songwriting, or performance).Opera/musical theatre (producing, directing or performance).Theatre (producing, directing, acting, or playwriting).Visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, or printmaking).Crafts (ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, or wood).Photography.Design arts (architecture, fashion, theatrical, graphic, industrial, or interior).Media arts (TV or film production, experimental film, screenwriting, or animation).Vernacular, Folk and Traditional Art.Literature (poetry, prose, spoken word).Time-based arts (installation, sound, video art, computer-generated art, or performance art).Public art (ephemeral or permanent).Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.Be a legal resident of the United States and the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee).Expect to maintain residency in the region during the award period.Not be a degree-seeking student during the grant period.Submit a complete and accurate application using the South Arts’ SalesForce portal
Eligible Opportunities
Examples of opportunities that match the intent of this program include, but are not limited to, curated invitations and competitive selection or qualifying professional development activities:ARTIST RESIDENCY: Selection to participate in a residency opportunity at an official artist residency program.APPRENTICESHIP: Advanced study of artistic practice or mentorship.CONFERENCE OR CLASS (up to $1,000): Attendance at a professional conference or non-degree granting classes that enhance artistic practice or arts management or artistic knowledge and skills (request are limited to a maximum of $1,000).CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Support for limited artist business enhancement activities including the development of e-commerce solutions, creation of marketing materials, engagement of a consultancy to assist with financial management, branding, marketing, or legal counsel related to patents, trademarks, contracts or business formation/continuity issues.PRESENT, PRODUCE, PERFORM, EXHIBIT, SCREEN OR SELL: Invitations to deliver original work at a significant in-person event, such as a recognized major festival, a juried showcase, an artist fair or marketplace, exhibition, and similar activities.RESEARCH: Scholarly artistic research partnering with recognized archival venues including libraries, academic institutions, and other such institutions.

Ineligibility

Examples of activities that do not qualify for funding through the Artist Creative Practice Program include:GROUPS OF ARTISTS: Opportunities that support and advance the career of groups of artists such as musical bands, dance groups, or theatre companies. This program is for individual artists only.CATALOGING, ARCHIVING, RELATED: Cataloging, publication, documentation, promotion, or archiving of a body of work.COLLEGE OR UNVERSITY DEGREE PROGRAMS: Activities that support participation in a college or university degree granting program.SHOWCASES AND BOOKING CONFERENCES: General performance showcases at booking conferences.