Artist Support Grant Applications 2025 - Theatre

The Artist Support Grant The initiative funds professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences. Artists working in visual, craft, performing, traditional, literary, media and interdisciplinary art forms are encouraged to apply. 

 The Artist Support Grants will support projects taking place between January 2026- December 2026. Award funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. Awards may range from $500-$1,500.

Who is eligible to apply?
 · Applicants must have lived in Durham, Alamance, Orange or Person Counties, NC, for at least one year before the application deadline. (Since September 2, 2024)
 · Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the application deadline.
 · Applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree program.
 · Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists.
 · Artists who receive an Artist Support Grant must wait two years to reapply, so artists who received an Artist Support Grant in 2024 and 2025 are not eligible to apply for an award in 2026.

What projects are eligible for funding? Up to 50 percent of the grant amount may be used for 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 at either enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development  (for example, 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 as allowed or possible while adhering to social distancing guidelines

What projects are not eligible for 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
• Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (for example., the promotion of other artists’ work)

What is the deadline for submitting applications? Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., September 2, 2025. All portions of the application must be received by this date, Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Who decides which artists receive awards? Grant applications and support materials are reviewed by local professional artists in each art form who score and discuss applications before recommending a slate of awards which is approved by the DAC Board of Directors.
Who funds the program? The primary funder of this program is the North Carolina Arts Council a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The program is also funded by the Durham Arts Council, Alamance Arts, the Orange County Arts Commission, and the Person County Arts Council.
Can I get assistance?
 Yes, Durham Arts Council  will offer virtual information sessions to explain the program and answer questions. These sessions are free, but you will need to request a meeting link. Attend the session that is most convenient for you. We expect each session to last no more than 60 minutes. We will also post a recording of one of the sessions on the website. All sessions are at 6:00pm:
Information session dates: June 26, 2025,   July 22, 2025,  August 13, 2025
For a link to any of the information session, email Margaret DeMott at mdemott@durhamarts.org.

What criteria are used to evaluate applications?
 

• Demonstrated talent in an art form and overall excellence of the artist’s work
• Clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist
• Benefit of the proposed project to the artist’s professional growth
• Feasibility of the proposed project

How much can I request? The maximum amount an applicant can request is $1,500.

Will I be required to provide a final report of my use of the grant? Yes, we require both a financial and narrative report. A link to the report form will be sent to those receiving awards.
 All applications are due by September 2, 2025 at 11:00 p.m. We do not accept late or incomplete applications. The Artist Support Grant is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, Alamance Arts and Person County Arts Council. Durham Arts Council promotes and encourages excellence in the creation, experience and support of the arts all for the enrichment of our total community. Durham Arts Council does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, age, or disability.