Summer 2026 Grants Now Open
Artists and organizations in the Southeast can apply for grants supporting community engagement, emerging traditional artists, or infrastructure for organizations supporting traditional arts.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- closed Sep 1, 2026
- Entry fee
- Not listed - check the source
- Award
- $10,000
- Location
- Southeast region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
- Applicants notified
- Dec 1, 2026
About
Overview
South Arts announces its Summer 2026 grant cycle with three initiatives: Arts in Community, Emerging Traditional Arts Program (ETAP), and In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants. These programs support artists and organizations across the Southeast region with resources for community engagement, professional development, and operational sustainability.
Three Grant Programs
- Arts in Community: Grants up to $10,000 supporting Southern artists or companies visiting another Southern state for a minimum of two public-facing activities (a presentation of work and an educational/community engagement activity). Open to artists in film, traditional arts, visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts.
- Emerging Traditional Artists Program (ETAP): $5,000 awards to emerging traditional artists to support learning opportunities including training, networking, and promotion. Recipients participate in virtual networking, peer mentorship, and professional development.
- In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants: $30,000 awards to folk art and traditional culture organizations for non-programming expenses. One award per state (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee), totaling three awardees annually.
Eligibility
- Arts in Community: Southern artist or company visiting another Southern state.
- ETAP: Emerging traditional artists residing in Appalachian Regional Commission or Delta Regional Authority counties, or members of state or federally recognized Native American tribes.
- ITM: Nonprofits (cultural, faith-based, libraries, museums, presenters, festivals) located in and serving at least one ARC county in Kentucky, North Carolina, or Tennessee.
Key Dates
- Arts in Community applications deadline: September 1, 2026
- ETAP and In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants deadline: September 30, 2026
- Awardees announcement: December 2026
Contact & Information
For more information on eligibility and these initiatives, visit southarts.org.
- Award
- Arts in Community: up to $10,000; ETAP: $5,000; In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants: $30,000 annually (one award per state, three total)
- Theme
- Three grant initiatives supporting Southern artists and traditional arts organizations: Arts in Community supports artists engaging communities across the region, ETAP recognizes and supports emerging tradition-bearers, and In These Mountains Infrastructure Grants strengthen organizations sustaining traditional arts in Central Appalachia.
- Eligibility
- Arts in Community: Southern artist or company visiting another Southern state. ETAP: emerging traditional artists residing in Appalachian Regional Commission or Delta Regional Authority counties, or members of state/federally recognized Native American tribes. ITM: nonprofits in Kentucky, North Carolina, or Tennessee ARC counties.
- Audience
- Southern artists, companies, emerging traditional artists, and nonprofits in the Southeast region
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.