Individual Artist Grants & Funding | Fayetteville & Cumberland County, NC

support for individual artists

Making Art Possible for Individual Artists in Cumberland County

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County supports individual artists in Cumberland County through grants, residencies, and professional development opportunities designed to strengthen creative careers and expand access to the arts.

Whether you're an emerging or established artist, our funding programs help bring creative projects to life, support teaching artists, provide artist residency opportunities, and invest in the long-term growth of Fayetteville's creative community. Explore opportunities including the following:

creative impact cohort (cic) guidelines:

2026-2027 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

1.1 The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s Creative Impact Cohort (CIC) provides artistic development and project-based financial support for artists of all disciplines at any stage of their career.

1.2 Artists selected for inclusion are required to participate in monthly cohort meetings with Arts Council staff and peer community artists to support project success and enhance professional growth.

1.3 Awards of up to $3,000 are provided for a 9-month project period beginning in October 2026. All project activity and final report documentation must be completed by June 30, 2027. For the 2026-2027 cohort, the Arts Council will issue up to ten (10) awards through a competitive application process.

1.4 For questions about CIC please contact Director of Artistic Communities Michael Houck at MichaelH@theartscouncil.com.

Download the Creative Impact Cohort Guidelines:

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Apply to for the Creative Impact Cohort:

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Applicant and Project Eligibility

3.1 CIC supports projects where the applicant is the originating artist either exhibiting or creating new work or sharing their practice as a teaching artist.

3.2 Eligible Applicants:

Must be a permanent Cumberland County resident of at least 18 years old
Have a demonstrated skill in an artistic discipline including but not limited to Dance, Film/Video, Literary, Music, Theatre/Performance, and Visual arts evidenced by work samples
Be in good standing with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
Artistic groups, guilds, and collectives are eligible if the majority of collaborating members meet eligibility requirements and the applicant artist is the lead creative contributor to the project

3.3 Eligible Activity:

Projects resulting in the completion and presentation of a new artistic work in any artistic medium with the applicant as the primary creator and featured artist

Development and implementation of workshops in an artistic discipline with the applicant as the artist-instructor

3.4 Ineligible Activity:

Projects by applicants who only identify as a producer, curator, host, or facilitator
Projects which do not take place in Cumberland County
Projects developed and made available to closed populations
Projects which promote a particular religion, dogma, or faith
Projects which fulfill educational requirements
Projects rooted in wellness, therapy, or motivational speaking
Projects rooted in the manipulation of generative AI software
Duplication of service with other Arts Council funded programs and projects
Projects by artists currently under contract with the Arts Council

PROGRAM GOALS

2.1 CIC launched in 2025 to address requests for artistic and professional development and financial support for individual artists living in Cumberland County.

2.2 CIC program goals include:

Foster individual artistic and professional development in a structured setting
Build a collaborative community of artists working together and supporting each other's work across various disciplines
Increase public awareness of local artists and their work

Application Requirements

CIC applications are digital and submitted through the Arts Council’s online submission portal. The application is composed of four (4) sections outlined.

5.1 General Information

Artistic Statement
Artistic Resume
Online portfolio (optional)

5.2 Project Proposal and Cohort Involvement

Project Title
Detailed Project Description
Marketing Plans
Goals/Outcomes
Cohort Readiness

5.3 Work Samples

Three (3) work samples in the same artistic discipline as the proposed project
Work samples must be from within the last five (5) years
Work samples must be original work created by the applicant
Work samples must not contain AI-generated content

5.4 Budget

Applicants will provide a detailed budget for the proposed project
Budgets will detail all expenses and income related to the proposed project
Budgets will detail all areas where CIC funds are allocated

Review Process and Timeline

7.1 Review:

Intake: Arts Council staff review requests for eligibility and completeness
Presentation: Arts Council staff present eligible and complete applications to a community panel of working, professional artists who evaluate the applications and provide numerical scoring
Funding Decision: Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Grants Assessment Committee review final scores and make the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
Timeline: The review process takes approximately six (6) weeks from the close of the application period to the award notice.

Allowable and Prohibited Expenses

4.1 Allowable Expenses:

Applicant Artist Fees (up to 25% of request)
Marketing and promotional expenses (up to 10% of request)
Project materials and supplies
Project equipment (upgrade)
Exhibition Space/Venue costs
Project Documentation
Other professional service contracts required for the necessary completion of the project

4.2 Prohibited Expenses:

Food and beverage expenses
Capital expenditures
Subgranting, awards, prizes, scholarships
Educational curriculum-related expenses
General operating costs or overhead (permits, insurance, etc.)
Reimbursements on completed activity prior to request

Funding Requirements

8.1 General Obligations

If funded, recipients must:

Complete the project as proposed within the approved project period and budget
Acknowledge the Arts Council in all promotional materials using required logos and credit lines
Submit a Final Report by June 30, 2027
- Final Reports include narrative and financial review
- Final Reports include work samples from the completed project

8.2 Cohort Involvement and Obligations

If funded, CIC participants must engage professionally and interactively with Arts Council staff and fellow cohort members and contribute to the shared learning environment.

Cohort meetings will be scheduled at a mutually agreed-upon time with all cohort members
Cohort meetings will take place once a month and will alternate in-person and remote formats
Cohort members will commit to a mid-project 1:1 meeting with artistic development staff

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated on three criteria with a final review score totaling 100 points. The highest rated applications are selected for funding.

6.1 Artistic Excellence - up to 50 points

Work samples details applicant’s artistic merit
Narrative details a project of high artistic value
Narrative details artistic growth for the applicant artist

6.2 Community Impact - up to 25 points

Project creates a platform for underrepresented artistic disciplines
Project provide ample engagement for community members

6.3 Project Feasibility - up to 25 points

Narrative provides clear and detailed timeline of activity
Narrative details clear and effective marketing plans
Budget is appropriate and realistic
Demonstrated capacity to complete the project

Submission Instructions

9.1 How to Apply

Submit applications beginning July 1, 2026, through our online application portal.

All requests are due August 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

The portal is found online at www.TheArtsCouncil.com or directly at www.bit.ly/ACGrants (case sensitive)

9.2 Questions and Contact Information

For general inquiries, please contact the offices of the Arts Council at 910-323-1776 to be routed to the correct staff member.

Arts Council staff are available to provide guidance.

We encourage applicants to reach out early in their planning process. For questions regarding the CIC application or management process, contact:

Michael Houck

Director of Artistic Communities

Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

Email: MichaelH@TheArtsCouncil.com

Apply to for the Creative Impact Cohort:

APPLY

MANAGE

ARTIST SUPPORT GRANT (asg)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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.

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County manages applications and awards for Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties.

The Artist Support Grant funds project activity from

December 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

Awards may range from $500.00 to $2,000.00.

Download the Artist Support Grant Guidelines:

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Apply for an Artist Support Grant :

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ELIGIBILITY

The Artist Support 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. Eligible candidates may be either emerging or established artists; this grant does not support start-up activities. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists in their discipline.

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 counties of Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland for at least one year before the application deadline. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. Proof of residence and status may be required at the time of application. 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. Resumes 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. Individuals who received an Artist Support Grant must wait two years before reapplying. For this cycle, ASG grantees from 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 are ineligible.

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, nonstudent 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 Arts Council staff.

Eligible Projects and Costs

In project year 2026-2027, applicants may use up to 50% of their grant request to support self-artists fees.Additional funding may support project activity in the following ways:

Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to develop, 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’ works 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 at either 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

The following items/projects are ineligible for Artist Support Grant funding:

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)

Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County through our online portal which can be found at: TheArtsCouncil.com by 11:59 PM on – SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.

Artist Résumé – Attach an artist résumé that includes education, employment, public presentations of your work, publications, commissions, honors, grant/fellowship awards, and relevant experience. (Two pages maximum) (required)

Artist Statement– An artist statement is piece of writing by you that helps the audience access or understand your artistic work.

Narrative — Your Project Narrative should explain your proposed project and how it will have an impact on your career as an artist. The narrative section includes four questions. (required, 2500 characters)

Describe your project and the proposed use of funds.
Explain what this project will enable you to do that you are unable to do now.
Summarize how this project will advance your career or development as an artist.

Budget – Provide your Project Budget (both Expenses and Income). For your Project Expenses, please be sure to list each expense as its own line item. Be as specific as possible. (required)

Budget support – Provide support information for your budget that clearly displays the cost of each line item, i.e. screenshots or web addresses showing equipment costs, quotes from suppliers, brochures from conferences, etc. Budget items that do not have appropriate documentation will not be considered for funding. (required)

Support Materials: You may submit digital copies of reviews, programs, catalogs, and other support materials relevant to the project. You may also submit up to three (3) letters of recommendation; all letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead and signed.

Work Samples — Applicants must provide high-quality, digital work samples (links or attachments – jpg, mp3, pdf, etc.). Samples must be of the artist’s work only. Hard copies will not be accepted. Work must be completed within the past three years. (required)

Dance, Choreography, Theatre, & Performing Arts: Documentation of up to three recorded performances. Videos uploaded may not exceed a total time of ten minutes.

Interdisciplinary Arts: Documentation of up to three recorded performances, images, or samples of work.

Film: Documentation of one or more completed films. (Video clips not to exceed five minutes.)

Literary Arts/Writing: Fiction, creative nonfiction, and playwrights may submit no more than 10 pages each of one to two manuscripts. Poets must submit three to five poems. Playwrights may also submit documentation of a recorded performance or staged reading of their plays (videos are not to exceed five minutes.)

Music: Documentation of up to three recorded performances, live or studio. Audio or video uploaded may not exceed a total time of ten minutes.

Visual Art: Up to 5 images of your work.

For video and audio work samples: please note that due to file sizes, YouTube and Vimeo links are preferred for video. Do not upload MP4s directly to the application.

An application without all required attachments is incomplete and will not be presented to the grants panel.

Apply for an Artist Support Grant :

Review

All completed Artist Support Grant applications will be judged by a multi-county panel of established artists, arts professionals, and arts educators and administrators who will review and evaluate the applications based on the criteria above and allocate funds for selected projects.

Artist Support Grant requests are evaluated along three criteria with the most weight on the Artistic Merit of the project.

Artistic Merit – 50% of review
- Demonstrated talent in an art form and overall excellence of the artist’s work.
- Clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist.
- Evidenced by work samples, artist statement, and the proposed project.
Project Feasibility – 25% of review
- The proposed project appears achievable for the artist at this time and place of their career.
- Evidenced by resume, budget, and the proposed project.
Career Development – 25% of review
- Benefit of the proposed project to the artist’s professional growth.
- Evidenced by resume and the proposed project.

Review Process and Timeline

Intake: Arts Council staff review requests for eligibility and completeness.

Presentation: Arts Council staff present eligible and complete applications to a community panel of working, professional artists who evaluate the applications and provide numerical scoring following the rubric above.

Funding Decision: Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Grants Assessment Committee review final scores and make the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

Timeline: The review process takes approximately eight (8) weeks from the close of the application period to the award notice.

Regional Support

Artist Support Grants support artists in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland, and County.

For general support, contact: The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

Michael Houck

Director of Artistic Communities

MichaelH@theartscouncil.com

910-323-1776

While requests are submitted through an application process managed by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, below are listed regional contacts who may be able to provide additional guidance. Hoke County does not maintain an Arts Council. For support, contact The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

Robeson County

Robeson County Arts Council

Rcaclumberton@gmail.com

910-847-2787

Sampson County

Sampson County Arts Council

Kara Donatelli

Executive Director

director@sampsonarts.org

910-596-2533

Scotland County

Arts Council of Scotland County / Storytelling & Arts Centersacs.officemanager@gmail.com

910-277-3599

The Artist Support Grant Program is administered by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Arts Councils of Robeson County, Sampson County, and Scotland County with generous support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

south eastern artist residency (sear)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is inviting artists with teaching experience to submit applications for the Spring cycle of the new Southeastern Artist in Residence (SEAR) program. The mission of the SEAR program is to provide a mid-career visual artist of exceptional artistic merit with an opportunity to lean into their craft through dedicated time, space, and funds to execute the completion of a body of work.

SEAR offers a range of benefits for artists and our community. Artists are given a focused environment to experiment and expand their body of work. Resident artists can dedicate time to career development without having to worry about studio space or equipment. The community gets to witness the creation of art in real time, exposing the public to diverse art forms that reflect the local culture and history. SEAR artists increase cultural understanding and draw visitors through workshops and gallery tours, impacting the artistic landscape of the Cape Fear region.

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becoming a teaching artist

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

[Applications Closed]

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County's Artists In Schools programs bring arts integration to Cumberland County schools at a reduced or free cost.

Program Information:

Programs can run from 30 minutes up to 3 hours, depending on the school’s availability. Schools can hold up to 2 performances per program.

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Application Requirements:

Applicants should submit:

Curriculum Vitae (C/V)
Relevant and accessible work samples (images, videos, audio, or portfolio links)
Completed W-9
Letter of Relevance — a brief statement describing how your practice and experience support school-based programming
Program description, including:
- Time and length of the program
- Activity and purpose
- How it ties into the Cumberland County school curriculum
- Grade levels served
- Maximum number of students
- Cost per session and cost for 2 sessions
- Format: Workshop, Assembly, or Residency
- Logistics (materials, space needs, setup, etc.)

Reference for curriculum alignment:

Cumberland County Schools K–12 Curriculum and Instruction

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professional development opportunities

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is proud to provide professional development opportunities to individual artists.

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.