Application Process

ARTIST SUPPORT GRANT Overview Closed | Apps Under Review Please note: that grant materials have not yet been updated for the 2027-2028 grant cycle and are subject to change. The North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant is a regional grant program to support individual artists in all phases of their career. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. This grant is intended to support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists. Grants range from $500 to $1,500. The deadline to apply is August 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm. This year, the Region 17 grant is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Region 17 is led by ArtsAVL and support artists in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties. Live in NC, but not a resident of one of our six counties? No problem. There are 18 different Artist Support Grant regions across the state. Find yours>> Application Process ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply. Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in the region where they are applying for at least one year before the consortium’s application deadline (Region 17: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania). An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. The consortium may require proof of residence and status. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend most of the year. All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, and meet the other eligibility requirements. Résumés documenting residence for all team members should be included with the application. Multiple Awards — Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have already received funding for FY 2026-2027 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply. Awardees must also wait at least two years after the award year before becoming eligible to reapply (ASG awardees from 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 are ineligible for this cycle.) Conflict of Interest — Current board and staff members of the consortium partner organizations and their family members are not eligible to apply for the award. Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, non-student artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant. Artists in certificate programs are generally eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria. Other questions and special circumstances should be discussed with N.C. Arts Council staff. Project Deadline — Projects must be completed by December 31, 2027. A final report will be due by January 31, 2028. 2026-27 TIMELINE July 21, 2026 | Application opens August 17, 2026 | Application deadline November 2026 | Awards Announced January 31, 2028 | Final report due ALLOWABLE EXPENSES In project year 2026-2027, applicants may apply for up to 50 percent of the grant to support artist fees. Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies or equipment (digital may qualify) or space rental) Career Promotion — Projects aimed at advertising artists’ work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, and online presentation) Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) aimed either at enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development (e.g., a master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authorities in the applicant artist’s medium) Travel — Costs of transportation, lodging, and food for training, professional conferences, or research INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND COSTS Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group Nonprofit initiatives Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work) INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND COSTS Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group Nonprofit initiatives Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work) EVALUATION CRITERIA Applications will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals with experience in various disciplines. Panelists will score each application based on the following evaluation criteria: Artistic Merit – Work samples provided show artistic excellence, and there is originality, inventiveness, and/or cultural significance in the project proposed, as well as a clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist. Project Feasibility – The project proposal is clear and well-organized, showing preparation and planning. The proposal’s goals are realistic and achievable. The project budget shows forethought and consideration. Professional Development – The project is consistent with the applicant’s career stage and will be meaningful in expanding and/or promoting the applicant’s artistic career and professional growth. Th