Artist Support Grant

Funder: Arts & Science Council (ASC) in partnership with Gaston Arts Council

Geographic Scope: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, and Rowan Counties, North Carolina

Overview:
The Artist Support Grant provides essential funding for professional development and artistic development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences.

Eligible Art Forms

• Visual arts
• Craft
• Performing arts
• Traditional arts
• Interdisciplinary art forms

Funding Details

• Award Amount: Up to $3,000
• Project Timeline: Projects should occur between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, with all funds expended by June 30, 2026
• Award Distribution: Applications selected for funding will receive the full award for which they are eligible

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant Type: Individuals and artist collectives (small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists)
• Residency: Must have lived continuously in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, or Rowan County for at least one year
• Age: Must be at least 18 years old
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Student Status: Full-time undergraduate or associate degree students are not eligible; artists in certificate programs are generally eligible
• Commitment: Applicants should demonstrate commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on artistic work
• Conflict of Interest: Current board and staff members of partner organizations and their family members are not eligible
• Prior Recipients: FY26 grant recipients will not be considered for funding in FY27
• Collaborative Teams: All members must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, and meet other eligibility requirements

Contact Information

Questions: Iván Garnica at [email protected]

Additional Resources

For more detailed information and to start the application process, visit the ASC website.

Support Available

• Grant workshops and office hours available
• GAC staff available for consultation on application development
• Guidance and suggested revisions provided to make requests more competitive

Application Process

Deadline: FY27 deadline to be announced (FY26 is closed)

Application Platform: Online through Arts & Science Council website

Required Steps

1. Attend Information Session
   • Grant workshops available (in-person and virtual options typically offered)
   • Office hours available for one-on-one consultation with ASC staff
   • Encouraged but not required; strongly recommended for competitive applications
2. Prepare Application Materials
   • Submit proposal describing the project/professional development goal
   • Include project timeline and budget
   • Provide artist resume or CV
   • Documentation of residency for all team members (required for collaborative applications)
3. Submit Application
   • Submit through ASC online application portal
   • Follow all ASC-specific submission requirements and formatting guidelines

Application Components

• Artist/team information and contact details
• Project description and objectives
• Budget and budget narrative
• Timeline for project completion
• Resume/CV demonstrating artistic experience and commitment
• Residency documentation

Support for Applicants

• Contact Iván Garnica at [email protected] for questions
• ASC staff provide guidance on initial application development
• Suggested revisions offered to strengthen competitiveness