DAC Creative Residency 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 
• Arts Administrators organizing an event on behalf of an arts nonprofit 501c(3) 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.   

When is the Application Due?

Applicant can receive only one Creative Residency Grant per Fiscal Year. There are two opportunities to submit an application for FY26-27:

• April 15, 2026,  for activities between July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
• October 15, 2026, for activities between January 1, 2027-June 30, 2027

What Can I Request? 

• This grant cycle is for use of the DAC building between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
• This grant supports sustained use of the DAC building (over 40 hours within the fiscal year).  The request may include rehearsals, practice sessions, meetings, presentations and office space.
• Individual artists may request up to 80 hours of building use.

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.

 What Does the Creative Residency Grant cover?

• The grant covers rental costs.
• A cleaning/maintenance fee is charged for each use. The fee for one event attended by one person ranges from $11-$26.  The fee increases as people are added, for example one event attended by 10 people would be between $20-$35.
• For activities taking place outside regular building hours, an hourly security fee will be added at $55/hour.   Regular building hours are 9 AM - 9 PM, Monday-Saturday and 1 - 6 PM, Sunday.  
• There may be other fees depending on the event.

If your application is awarded, you will receive a contract and quote that itemizes all fees and grant credits.  Your grant will appear as a credit against the total cost of your request. 

What if the Dates Requested Change?

• You can apply for use of space even if you do not have specific dates or if there is the possibility that your specific dates change.  If your application is awarded a number of hours to be scheduled in the future, there is no guarantee that the space, date and time you eventually request will be available.  You may request a change once your schedule has been confirmed, but there is no guarantee that your new request will be available.
• A specific reservation is not confirmed until your contract and deposit have been received.

 What Factors Are Considered When Evaluating a Grant Application?

•   Applicant eligibility.   
•  Quality of the arts or arts experience and evidence of sustained commitment to arts programming or artistic practice.  
•  Appropriateness of the activity for the DAC building.
• How the activities help the DAC fulfill its mission of supporting the Durham arts sector and the public's access to public arts activities and performances.  Considerations include:

1. Maintain a relatively consistent level of daytime and nighttime activity to attract participants, audiences, and visitors.
2. Contribute to the stability of facility operations, including taking care of the space and following building procedures to protect the building and all program participants and guests.
3. Build a positive image of the facility through ongoing use. 
4. Innovative projects and projects outside of what the DAC traditionally presents and programs- adding new work to the arts ecosystem.

More details about grant process timeline are available on the Durham Arts Council webpage for Creative Residency Grants.