Arts Industry Operating Support ( previously Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) Grants )

Arts Industry Operating Support ( previously Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) Grants )

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: South Carolina Arts Commission
Amount: Up to US $45,000
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The Arts Industry Operating Support grants provide two years of unrestricted funding to strengthen small arts organizations in South Carolina. This support is aimed at enhancing their operational capacity to deliver ongoing arts experiences and services to communities. Eligible organizations must have a primary mission focused on the arts and demonstrate a commitment to providing quality programming. A 1:1 cash match is required, ensuring a sustainable investment in the arts sector.

Overview

About This Grant Operating Support for Small Organizations (OSS) grants provide two years of support for basic operations to help strengthen eligible organizations’ ability to bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state. This grant is unrestricted, which means grantees may use it for any general operating expense related to their arts programming, such as staff salaries, paying the electric bill, printing programs, buying supplies, etc. Purpose To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state. To help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities, and other organizations throughout the state via three (3) years of support for basic operations for applicants ranging from emerging to established arts organizations with primary missions involving these artistic functions: producing,service,presenting,and/or education. Match 1:1 (grantee:SCAC) cash match is required.  Each dollar awarded must be matched with $1 cash. No in-kind expenses are allowed as part of the applicant’s match in this category. Use of Funds Grantees may use these funds for any general operating expense related to their arts programming, such as staff salaries, paying the electric bill, printing programs, buying supplies, etc. Arts programming expenses might include (but are not limited to) concert series, visual arts workshops, a season of theatrical productions, or other activities and initiatives conducted with the primary intention of providing arts experiences to the community. This grant is not intended to support programming that is not arts-focused (although it may contain artistic elements). Allowable (Operating) Expenses Costs that an organization must cover to perform its primary, day-to-day activities that generate revenue.Administrative costs.Office supplies.Salaries for administrative/artistic personnel.Commissions.Marketing and advertising.Research and development costs.Rent.Utilities.Contract/consultant services.Insurance premiums.Everyday repairs to equipment.Travel expenses related to normal business activities.Property tax.Accessibility operating expenses: expenses accrued to improve the quality of being easily reached, entered, or used by people who have a disability.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Your organization must fit all the following criteria:Be described as :having a primary mission focused on the arts OR serving as the primary arts provider in your community OR providing ongoing arts programming in your community. Examples of “providing ongoing arts programming in your community” include, but are not limited to: A concert series Visual arts workshops A season of theatrical productions Other activities and initiatives conducted with the primary intention of providing arts experiences to the community. Please note: Non-arts organizations are strongly encouraged to contact your S.C. Arts Commission coordinator for advisement before beginning their first OSS application.Be either a nonprofit community-based arts organization currently registered with the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documents with federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service ORapplying through a tax-exempt fiscal agent/receiver organization ORNote: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver will need to submit a letter that outlines the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties. a unit of local governmentHave completed at least one fiscal year of programming Had a total arts expense budget of $75,000 or less for the last completed fiscal year Have a valid DUNS number In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, government entities, public school districts, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid DUNS number to receive an S.C. Arts Commission grant award.If a grantee is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate DUNS numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver.

Ineligibility

Organizations receiving SCAC Arts Industry Operating Support funding may not receive simultaneous Arts Project Support funding, except for professional development opportunities.Non-allowable (Non-operating) expensesCosts that are unrelated to the core operations of the organization.Interest on borrowed money.One-time or unusual costs (e.g., buying/ selling real estate, fines and penalties, legal expenses).Lawsuits.Disposal of assets.Losses due to natural disasters.Decrease in inventory value or unsold inventory.Any activities primarily intended for fundraising (e.g., costs of organized fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions).Costs of investment counsel/staff and similar expenses incurred solely to enhance income from investments.New construction/facilities construction.Food, beverages, alcohol, catering services.