Regional Artist Project Support Grants

2012 applications are now closed. (2013 applications will be available by February 2012.)

What We Fund
Regional Artist Project Grant funds are intended to provide financial support to a broad range of exceptionally talented visual, performing, literary and inter-disciplinary artists by funding a project that will have a significant impact on the advancement of their professional artistic career. The applicant may be an emerging or established artist and as a general rule should have completed some basic education in his/her art form. A deserving applicant will have a strong record of artistic accomplishment appropriate to the stage of his/her career. Regional Artist Project Grants are intended to fund a particular project that begins no earlier than January 1 and concludes by December 31 of the same year. While no specific limits have been established, awards may range from $500 - $2,500. Applicants may receive full or partial funding. Four grant writing workshops will be held to assist interested artists. Attendance is not required.

Deadline for application for 2012 was October 3, 2011 at 5 p.m. Click here for an application.

Who May Apply
Individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply. Artist groups must have a formal partnership that furthers their careers in order to qualify. A jazz quartet, a dance duo or a visual artist partnership are examples of qualifying groups. Applicants must currently reside in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland Counties, and must have maintained residency in one of these counties for one year immediately preceding the application date. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Previous award winners cannot apply in consecutive years.

Examples of Fundable Projects
•Promotion/Presentation: the cost of producing a demonstration tape for a composer, a video demonstration tape for a choreographer, a portfolio for a visual artist, editorial assistance for a writer, etc.
•Travel: costs for transportation, lodging and food associated with a specific art-related workshop, retreat or seminar.
•Completion/Production: the cost of purchasing materials for the completion of a significant new work of visual art, or the cost of renting a facility for the public presentation of a new play.
•Training: advanced study or coaching that will enhance the artist’s abilities.
•Equipment: the cost of purchasing a kiln for a potter, digital equipment for a photographer or supplies for visual artists.

Evaluation Criteria
•Overall excellence of the applicant’s artwork and demonstration of exceptional talent.
•Serious professional commitment to art form.
•Contribution of the proposed project to the advancement of the applicant’s professional artistic development.
•Feasibility of the proposed project.

Application Process
All completed Regional Artist Program Grant applications will be judged by discipline-based artists and art educators on the criteria listed above. A multi-county panel comprised of professional artists, art educators/administrators and arts advocates review the applications and the judges’ evaluations and allocates funds for selected projects. Grant recommendations will be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Incomplete applications will not be presented to the panel. Late applications will not be accepted.