Grassroots Arts Program Subgrants

Funder: North Carolina Arts Council (distributed through Randolph Arts Guild)

Geographic Scope: Randolph County, North Carolina

Background: Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program distributes funds for the arts in all 100 counties of the state primarily through partnerships with local arts councils.

Eligibility

• All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred, but organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also apply
• All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Randolph County
• Individuals are NOT eligible to apply
• Tribal organizations that receive Grassroots funds must represent state or federally recognized tribes
• Religious organizations or churches may receive funds only if programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community, and do not contain religious content
• Colleges, universities, and libraries may receive grants for arts programs that are community-based or generate regional arts involvement (not for internal programs, administration, or operation expenses)
• Municipalities (city/county governments) may receive grants for arts programs using qualified artists that involve the greater community (not for internal programs, administration, or operating expenses)

Fundable Organizations

• Theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers' groups, and arts festivals
• Arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists
• Community, civic and municipal organizations (programs must be conducted by qualified artists)

What Grassroots Arts Program Funds

Funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs, including:

• Professional artists' fees
• Artists' teaching fees
• Arts education programming
• Multicultural art programming and experiences
• Space rental
• Advertising, marketing, and publicity
• Scripts, costumes, sets, props
• Music and equipment rental

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Priority: Preference is given to organizations whose projects engage multicultural artists and communities.

Funding Priorities (in order)

1. Program support to qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible to receive support from the N.C. Arts Council
2. Support for arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists (artist residencies in schools, after school/summer camps, adult arts learning classes)
3. Community, civic, and municipal organization programs conducted by qualified artists

What Grassroots Arts Program Does NOT Fund

• Individuals or organizations for prizes, competitions, tuition, or financial rewards
• Art supplies or equipment
• Internal school programs such as in-school student performances, purchase of art supplies, or student arts competitions and publications
• School band equipment or choral activities
• Art, music, and dance therapists
• Artifacts or purchase artwork
• Capital expenditures or equipment
• Contingency funds
• Transportation costs
• Deficit reduction
• Fundraising events
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• Lobbying expenses
• Oral history and history projects
• Tuition for academic study
• Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs

Matching Requirement

All subgrantees must match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. Funds must come from other public or private sources. Other N.C. Arts Council funds cannot be used as a match.

Recognition Requirement

Subgrantees must acknowledge N.C. Arts Council's and Randolph Arts Guild's support by including logos and funding credit lines in all print and promotional materials related to the grant. Logos available at http://www.ncarts.org/Grants/Logo-Use

Reporting Requirements

• Each awarded subgrantee must submit a final report with detailed project description, participation statistics and demographics, sample marketing and program materials, and copies of legislative letters
• Final reports available from N.C. Arts Council website at http://www.ncarts.org/resources/local-council-resources
• Legislative letters may be required thanking state representatives for appropriating Grassroots funds

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed by a diverse panel including artists, county officials, public officials, and arts council board members. Evaluation is based on:

• Artistic quality of proposed project or programs
• Community impact of project or programs
• Ability to plan and implement project
• Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization

Most Recent Cycle Information (2023-2024):

• Project period: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
• Application deadline was December 8, 2023
• Awards announced by mid-January 2024
• Virtual workshop offered November 14, 2023

Contact Information

Randolph Arts Guild

• Phone: (336) 629-0399
• Email: roselonguillo@randolphartsguild.com
• Address: 123 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC 27203

Application Process

1. Attend Optional Workshop: Randolph Arts Guild hosts a virtual Grassroots Arts Program Grant Workshop to assist applicants (timing varies by year)
2. Complete Application Form: Download FY 2023-2024 State Grassroots Subgrant Application Form from RAG or at http://www.ncarts.org/resources/local-council-resources under Grassroots Arts Subgranting Tools
3. Prepare Required Documentation:
   • Completed application form
   • Support materials as specified in application
   • Notarized No Overdue Tax Form (required to receive funds)
4. Submit Application: Mail or deliver complete application to Randolph Arts Guild by deadline (typically 4:00pm on specified Friday date)
5. Review and Evaluation:
   • Panel of community members reviews applications
   • Panel scores using established rating system
   • Recommendations presented to N.C. Arts Council Board
   • Board votes and gives final approval
6. Award Announcement: Awards announced (typically mid-January following application deadline)
7. Reporting: Submit final report by deadline date (typically July 10 following grant year end)

Contact for Questions and Assistance

• Randolph Arts Guild
• Phone: (336) 629-0399
• Email: roselonguillo@randolphartsguild.com