Creative Impact Cohort

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Introducing Our Latest Grant Program

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s Creative Impact Cohort (CIC) builds capacity for local artists of all disciplines by providing financial support for projects developed and implemented by artists in all phases of their career living in Cumberland County. This cohort-styled program supports individual artists with awards of up to $4,000 for a 6-month project period.

Artists selected for grant funding will be required to participate in monthly meetings with Arts Council grant staff and fellow grantees to support project success and enhance professional growth. Meetings will include topics such as: marketing and self-promotion, project management (process monitoring and budget maintenance), business skills for artists, documentation and portfolio development, connection to artist network.

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

View the Guidelines

Apply

important dates

The Creative's Summer School Series:

Friday, August 8 - Final Session
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM | The Arts Council (RSVP Required)
RSVP HERE

PROGRAM GOALS:

The Arts Council has designed this program to address a need for artistic development in Cumberland County. Overall program goals include:

Foster artistic & professional excellence through structured development leading a network of well rounded artists representing Cumberland County
Build a collaborative community of artists working together and supporting each others work across various disciplines
Increase public engagement with local artists and their work

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS MUST:

Live in Cumberland County, NC
Work in an artistic discipline including but not limited to Visual Arts, Literature, Music, Theatre/Performance, Dance, Film/Video, and Interdisciplinary
Commit to participating in all required development activities
Not be under a current grant contract with the Arts Council
Be 18 years or older

GRANTEE REQUIREMENTS:

As a recipient of the CIC Grant, artists will complete the following.
Project Development: Grantees will create or complete an artistic project or body of work
Professional Engagement: Participation in regular meetings Arts Council grant staff and fellow grantee artists
Final Presentation: Public showcase of completed work by the conclusion of the grant period
Documentation: Comprehensive documentation of process and outcomes

AS PART OF THE GRANT PROGRAM MEETINGS, ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:

Monetary stipend
Support services such as:
Capacity support for documentation and presentation of program
Networking opportunities with arts professionals
Guidance on long-term artistic development
Presence on Arts Council website
Social media promotion
Inclusion in Arts Council newsletter
Addition in the the Arts Council’s list of vetted Cumberland County artists

WHAT PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?

Presentation of new artistic work in any artistic medium
Teaching artist led workshops with the applicant being the teaching artist

ALLOWABLE EXPENSES

Artist fees (up to 25% of award)
Project materials and supplies
Equipment
Studio/rehearsal/performance space rental
Documentation costs
Professional services directly related to the project
Marketing/outreach expenses (no more than 10% of award)

NON-FUNDABLE ACTIVITY INCLUDES:

Projects not taking place in Cumberland County
Projects promoting particular religious dogma or faith
Academic projects that fulfill degree requirements
Projects that overlap with other previously or currently funded Arts Council programs
Motivational speaking engagements
Therapy-based programs

questions?

For questions regarding the Artist Mini Grant application or your proposal, contact: Kashia Knight at KashiaK@theartscouncil.com

Fund
Partners

The Mini Grant program is supported locally by the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the Cumberland County Occupancy Tax. Additional funds are provided through the generous support of individual donors to the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County.

Financial information and a copy of its license are available from the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at (888) 830-4989.

The license is not an endorsement by the State.