Artist Support Grants

Overview

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the NC Arts Council to provide regional consortia of local arts councils the opportunity to award project grants to professional artists in their regions.

Who May Apply

Professional artists in any discipline and at any stage in their careers pursuing projects that further their artistic and professional development.

Eligible Project Types

• Creation of new work
• Purchase of equipment and materials
• Professional development workshops
• Travel support for expenses associated with professional opportunities such as participating in exhibitions or conferences
• Development or upgrading of promotional materials such as brochures, DVDs, CDs, and websites
• Artist fees

Grant Amounts

Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000. Some regions offer up to $3,000.

Project Period

Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026. Funded activities must take place between July 1 of the grant year and June 30 of the following calendar year, unless otherwise noted in guidelines.

How to Apply

Contact the designated local arts council supporting your region. Online applications open in early January and must be submitted electronically by early March, unless otherwise noted in the guidelines. Arts Council staff conducts a preliminary review of each proposal; incomplete applications or those not meeting evaluation criteria will not be considered.

Regional Deadlines and Contacts

• Arts of Albemarle (Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans): Lauren Luther, 252-777-2787, [email protected], Deadline October 15, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• Dare County Arts Council (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, Washington): Jessica Sands, 252-473-5558, [email protected], Deadline October 9, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• Craven Arts Council and Gallery (Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico): Jonathan Burger, 252-638-2577, [email protected], Deadline September 11, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• Granville Arts (Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Northampton, Vance, Warren): Matthew Cox, 919-491-4812, [email protected], Deadline August 31, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge (Edgecombe, Greene, Nash, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson): Holly Garriott, 252-551-6947, [email protected], Deadline October 3, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• The Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County (Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender): Rhonda Bellamy, 910-343-0998, [email protected], Deadline September 15, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,000
• Durham Arts Council (Alamance, Durham, Orange, Person): Laura Montgomery, 919-560-2707, [email protected], Deadline August 31, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,500
• United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County (Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Wake): Kelly Schrader, 919-839-1498, [email protected], Deadline September 1, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,500
• Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County (Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland): Michael Houck, 910-323-1776, [email protected], Deadline September 15, 2026, Grant Range $500-$2,000
• Stokes County Arts Council (Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin): Eddy McGree, 336-598-8159, [email protected], Deadline September 25, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,500
• The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County / Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph): Cécile Boynton, 336-747-1412, [email protected] or Jaymie Meyer, 336-279-7082, [email protected], Deadline September 4, 2026, Grant Range $500-$2,000
• Arts Council of Moore County (Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly, Union): Chris Dunn, 910-692-2787, [email protected], Deadline October 9, 2026, Grant Range $500-$3,000
• Watauga County Arts Council (Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes): Amber Bateman, 828-264-1789, [email protected], Deadline August 3, 2026, Grant Range $200-$1,000
• United Arts Council of Catawba County (Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, McDowell): Chris Coffey, 828-324-4906, [email protected], Deadline September 30, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,500
• Arts & Science Council Charlotte-Mecklenburg (Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan): Iván Garnica, 704-335-3036, [email protected], Deadline September 7, 2026, Grant Range $500-$3,000
• Toe River Arts Council (Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey): Bethany Chenoweth, 828-765-0520, [email protected], Deadline September 28, 2026, Grant Range $250-$1,000
• Arts AVL (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania): Rebecca Lynch, 828-222-0436, [email protected], Deadline August 17, 2026, Grant Range $500-$1,500