Barrier-Free Arts SC Grants

Barrier-Free Arts SC Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: South Carolina Arts Commission
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Summary

The Barrier-Free Arts SC Grants aim to empower arts organizations in South Carolina to enhance accessibility for artists and constituents with disabilities. Over three years, grantees will receive tailored professional development and support to create and implement accessibility plans. Funding includes up to $3,500 in the first year and $5,000 in subsequent years, with a matching requirement in years two and three. Eligible organizations must be in good standing and possess the authority to modify their facilities.

Overview

Purpose This grant provides knowledge, support, and resources that will empower arts organizations to prioritize accessibility for constituents and artists with disabilities. This is a three-year commitment. Year One aims to provide grantees with tailored professional development that covers accessibility topics directly related to the arts sector. Barrier-Free Arts SC (BFASC) grantees will commit to engaging with professional development content throughout the grant period and will attend five (5) synchronous, virtual cohort sessions led by the SCAC’s arts learning and accessibility director. By the end of the first year, the grantees will develop an accessibility plan to remove barriers identified within their facility and programs. Year one will conclude with a presentation of each organization’s plan. Years Two and Three will focus on utilizing grant funds to meet the organization’s accessibility goals set in its accessibility plan. After successful completion of three years in the BFASC cohort, organizations will be eligible to become a BFASC-designated organization and will be identified as such through SCAC channels (e.g., the SC Arts Directory, social media highlights, and The Hub’s Venues directory). BFASC-designated organizations will be eligible for ongoing grant funding to support their pursuit of continued accessibility excellence and will become mentors to incoming organizations in the grant program. Funding Year One: Up to $3,500. Years Two and Three: Up to $5,000. Matching Requirement Year One: No match. Years Two and Three: 1:1 match (grantee:SCAC).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Only current General Operating Support grantees in good standing are eligible to apply; and Only organizations that own or have authority to alter the facility they use may apply. 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.Note: 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.

Ineligibility

Commissioners and staff of the S.C. Arts Commission and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply for any individual SCAC programs, grants, fellowships, or services that provide financial support or career recognition.