DAC Creative Hours Grant - Pilot Program

Durham Arts Council is piloting the Creative Space Grants as a new method for making the Durham Arts Council building available to arts nonprofits and individual artists based in Durham County NC. The need for more creative space in Durham has been emphasized through the Cultural Road Map City/County Planning Process.  Guidelines or application questions may be adjusted as we learn from the experience of administering these grants. Creative Space Grants include Creative Hours Grants, Creative Showcase Grants and Creative Residency Grants.

Who May Apply? 

• Arts nonprofits incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and based in Durham County, NC
• Individual artists residing in Durham County, NC 
• An arts organizer or arts administrator working with an arts nonprofit incorporated as a 501(c)(3) and based in Durham County, NC
• If a project is bring produced by an unincorporated group of artists, one artist may apply on behalf of the group.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years old.   

What Can I Request? 

This application supports short term closed arts activities—such as rehearsals or meetings. Once your grant is approved and contracted, you may submit multiple requests using a short request form, for a total of up to 20 Creative Hours during the first application period - February 1- May 31, 2026. 

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What Can I Not Request?

• This grant does not support fund raising events.  Find more information about renting the building here.
• This grant does not support commercial enterprises, except for ticketed performances.  If you are interested in conducting a class or workshop you can submit your proposal to the DAC School here.
• Gallery exhibition in DAC gallery spaces.  For exhibitions contact Artist Services for information about the annual call for exhibits: cscott@durhamarts.org
• Use of PSI Theatre.  To request PSI Theatre, use the Creative Showcase Grant.
• Use of more than 40 hours of space within a 12-month period. To request more hours, use the Creative Residency Grant.  

 What Does the Grant Cover?

• The grant covers rental costs.
• A cleaning/maintenance fee is charged for each use.  For one event with one person this fee can range from $11-$26.  The fee increases with the number of people attending.  For example, a rehearsal with 10 people would have a fee between $20-$35.
• For activities taking place outside regular building hours, a security fee will be added at $55/hour.  Regular building hours are 9-9, Monday-Saturday; 1-6 Sunday.  

 Your grant will appear as a credit against the total cost of your request. When your grant is awarded, you will receive a contract and invoice that itemizes all fees and grant credits. Additional requests may be submitted under the same application and contract, up to the 20 Creative Hour limit.

 What Factors Are Considered When Evaluating a Grant Application?

•   Applicant eligibility.   
•  Quality of art or arts experience and evidence of sustained commitment to arts programming or artistic practice.  
•  Whether the proposed activity is appropriate for the DAC building.
• How the proposed activities activate the DAC building.
• Innovative projects and projects outside of what the DAC traditionally presents and programs- adding new work to the arts ecosystem.

More details about the entire grant, review and contract process are available on the Creative Space Grants webpage on the Durham Arts Council website.