This page provides an overview of the Call for Artists. To access the application, use the link at the bottom of the page to set up a free account.
 

The Durham Arts Council showcases up to 12 solo and/or group exhibitions each year in 2 onsite galleries and at the Durham Convention Center. Typically, over 125 artists are exhibited annually.  Only 2-dimensional works that can be hung on the gallery walls will be considered because our galleries also serve as main entries to the building and special event and reception spaces. 

1. Please use this form to propose a solo or group exhibit for consideration to exhibit at the Durham Arts Council (DAC) galleries in 2026. Exhibits are generally up for 8 weeks and majority of the shows receive two openings that coordinate with Third Friday Durham. There are two galleries that the DAC operates, here is the Allenton Gallery floorplan and the Semans Gallery floorplan. 
2. You can also use this form to propose a solo exhibit for consideration to exhibit at the Durham Convention Center (DCC) in their pre-function corridor. DCC requires work to be no smaller than 30" x 30" and exhibits rotate every 6-months, with an opportunity to program a reception with DCC staff. For reference please find an image of the entrance to the pre-function corridor, where accepted artist's work will hang. 

    The Durham Arts Council strives to feature artists that represent the full range of creativity and diversity of Durham in our exhibition program and encourages BIPOC artists and arts collectives to propose solo or group exhibits.  

    *Please note there is a $5 application fee - DAC reduced the fee from $15 to $5 this year to make the application process more accessible. Once you submit your application, you will automatically be redirected to the payment site. Applicants who do not submit the application fee will not be considered. *

*Solo artists please note that for some of the responses you will only fill out your information, please disregard the group prompts.*

   Completed application and payment are due Monday, April 21st 2025. For any questions please reach out to Artist Services Manager, Colleen Scott at cscott@durhamarts.org.

This page provides an overview of the performer application. To access the application, use the link at the bottom of the page to set up a free account.
 

APPLICATION DEADLINE - Monday June 9th, 2025
               The 50th Annual CenterFest is the longest running outdoor juried arts festival in North Carolina. The festival boasts juried visual artists from near and far, great entertainment, lots of food and fun, and educational activities for kids. Located in Downtown Durham's vibrant city center district, CenterFest performers, artists and visitors will enjoy a setting filled with restaurants, shops and studios: a perfect space for an event that will bring 40,000+ visitors over the weekend. CenterFest 2025 will include several performance stages showcasing music, dance, street performers, and community groups. We are looking for a diverse array of performance groups and entertainers. The Durham Arts Council's goal is to showcase community artists, with a focus on performers who may not be represented in the wider arts sector. Performance artists and groups who identify as BIPOC are encouraged to apply.

CenterFest is Sunshine Artist's #1 Fine Arts Festival in North Carolina and is ranked #22 nationally.

We are excited to celebrate 50 years of Centerfest, and its evolution to becoming one of Durham's iconic events!

https://durhamarts.org/centerfest/
 

Centerfest dates and times: September 20 from 10am-6pm and September 21 from 11am-5pm

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Complete contact information 
• Attach your technical needs sheet (upload file as word 'docx, doc' or pdf document, not exceeding 1MB) 
• Provide description of your group 
• Provide web link to online performance sample 
• Upload press quality photo (png, gif, and jpeg files accepted, with file size not exceeding 1MB)
• Opportunities available for featured performers, well-loved bands, ensembles, singer/songwriters, dance groups, puppet shows, processions, juggling, music, marching  bands and more.

 

BENEFITS, SCREENING, AND REGULATIONS

BENEFITS :

  If selected to perform, you will receive the following festival benefits: 

• Posting on the CenterFest website. 
• Exposure through various local marketing, such as streaming, radio, tv, and social media.
• Inclusion in publicity campaign and social media. 
• Payment of up to $100 for your 20 - 45-minute performance. More established bands may be considered for higher performance fees.  
• A designated area for performers to sell and distribute CD's and merchandise. Performers are responsible for managing their own sales. 

 
SCREENING
               All applicants will be screened by the Centerfest 2025 Management Team and entertainment committee. The screening process will take into account technical and scheduling needs, diversity in performances, and record of previous performances. All 2025 Applicants will be notified in Submittable by July 21st, 2025, if they are selected or not selected. 

*Once artists receive a contract, please review and sign by August 18th, 2025, at the latest. Failure to sign contract in timely manner may result in contract termination.*

REGULATIONS 

• All performers and their crew must follow all rules and regulations for parking, load-in, load-out, and performance as outlined in the performer information packet and performer contract.  Failure to follow the rules and/or follow directions from CenterFest staff onsite may result in being asked to leave the festival.
• Artists must perform work for which they were invited.  
• Artists must provide technical specifications with the application.  
• The DAC retains the right to use any festival documentation and photos to be used in future promotion of CenterFest without compensation to the artist.  
• The DAC retains the right to use photos submitted by performer to be used in promotion of CenterFest 2025 without compensation to the artist.  
• Stage performances will generally be 20 to 40 minutes.
•  DAC provides professional quality sound systems, drum kits at main stages.  No cymbals or amps provided.
• All staging areas will be outdoors and two will have coverings. No "green room" dressing room, or rugs will be provided.  
• No application fee to apply. 
• Load in areas, parking passes and information and festival map will be included in a formal contract between you and the DAC upon selection to perform.  
• Rainout: CenterFest is a Rain or Shine event. Performers will be asked to proceed in the event of light rain when it is safe to do so. No compensation will be paid due to performers decision not to participate; performers will be paid in the event of rain if they are present and ready to perform.
   

This page provides an overview of the grant program. To access the application, use the link at the bottom of the page to set up a free account.
Season Grant Overview
       The Season Grant program supports the operations and programs of nonprofit arts organizations to provide a range of professional and amateur arts opportunities for the people of Durham. The Season Grant Criteria listed below define the qualities of a strong grant application. The panel will also consider to what degree the full slate of recommended grant applications fulfills the intent of the grant program.
      We encourage nonprofit arts organizations to apply for operating support and to focus on building back capacity and infrastructure.
Who may apply? Non-profit organizations with arts as their core mission based in Durham County are eligible to apply. Applicant must be non-profit with 501(c)3 status or apply under a fiscal sponsor other than the Durham Arts Council. Arts nonprofits may request operating or project support. Nonprofit cultural/humanities organizations who are not arts organizations may apply for project support for an arts activity. DAC’s priority will be funding organizations with an arts-specific core mission.
If you are a new applicant you should review your application with Margaret DeMott, Director of Artist Services, (mdemott@durhamarts.org) before submitting your application. If you are new to grant writing we recommend that you consider the Durham Arts Catalyst Grant which is designed for applicants who are just starting to apply for grants.

An information session will be held on Zoom on February 11, 2025 at 6 pm. Email mdemott@durhamarts.org for the link. The session will also be recorded and posted on the DAC Season Grant web page.

       If you applied last year and would like to know your scores from last year’s review, you are also encouraged to email Margaret DeMott. All applications must be submitted through Submittable.com by 11:00 PM, April 7, 2025.

What activities are eligible? Arts nonprofits may request support for general operations or a project. We encourage arts nonprofits to request support that will help them strengthen capacity and infrastructure.

       Cultural/Humanities nonprofits may request support for an arts project. The activity must occur between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Season Grants are not awarded to fundraising activities/events.

FUNDING. The Season Grant Program is funded by the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund and the Grassroots Program of the North Carolina Arts Council. In FY2026 organizations that receive Sustaining Support Grants or Project Grants from the NC Arts Council cannot also receive Grassroots funds.  Applicants who are considering applying for NC Arts Council Sustaining Support or Project Grants and the Durham Arts Council Season Grant should submit applications to both the North Carolina Arts Council and the Durham Arts Council.  If you have questions, email mdemott@durhamarts.org.

What can I request? You may apply for cash and/or use of space in the Durham Arts Council building. Organizations with BIPOC leadership may request up to $10,000 in cash.  Leadership is defined as the combined staff and board.  Leadership is considered BIPOC when more than 50% of the staff and board are BIPOC. All other organizations may request up to $8,600 in cash. Space grants included ongoing use of office, meeting, rehearsal, exhibit and performance space and short term, project specific performances and meetings. The Durham Arts Council building is a 52,000 sq. ft., city owned, community arts center that contains spaces for dance, theater and music rehearsals, meeting rooms, offices, exhibit and performance spaces. An applicant may ask for use of these spaces for a particular project or for on-going operations. If you are interested in gallery space for a specific exhibit contact Margaret DeMott (mdemott@durhamarts.org). If you are interested in using the PSI Theatre you should apply through the Facility Grant.  There are fees associated with use of granted space in the building.

What is required of Season Grant Recipients? Each Season Grant recipient will:
       · Complete the Season Grant contract and submit to DAC with appropriate attachments.
       · Use the DAC and North Carolina Arts Council logos and grant acknowledgment line in all relevant publicity, including listing in print materials, email blasts, web pages, and news releases.
       · Pay user fees (if receiving a space grant).
       · Thank the state elected officials representing Durham for supporting state funding for the arts either in email or letter.
       · Attend or promote Arts Day depending on level of grant.
       · File final reports on the use of the grant by July 12, 2026.
Criteria for Evaluating Grant Applications (each application will receive a numeric score for each of the criteria ranging from 1 to 5; 1 being lowest, 5 being highest:
       · Artistic quality of proposed activities
       · Community impact of activities
       · Ability to plan and implement
       · Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization
       · Goals for diversity, equity, access and inclusion and strategies for achieving those goals.

Who may apply:

Durham Arts Council Facility Grants provide short term use of the DAC building to support arts activities. Only non-profits incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization based in Durham County NC or  individual artists living in Durham are eligible to apply. If the project is being produced by an unincorporated group of artists an individual artist may apply on behalf of the group.   Applicants must be over the age of 18.  

What projects are eligible?

 Facility Grants support short term projects in all art forms.  Facility grants are the only avenue for granting use of the PSI Theatre.  Facility Grants will not be given to fundraising events. Facility Grants do not provide support for on-going operations and year round activities such as rehearsals, meetings and on-going programs.  For year round requests, apply to the Season Grant Program unless you are requesting use of the PSI Theatre.  Facility grants cannot be used to request gallery space for exhibits in the building. To apply for an exhibit you must participate in the annual Call for Artists. Contact cscott@durhamarts.org or call 919-560-2719 for information about the Call for Artists. 

What may I ask for?

 Durham Arts Council manages a 52,000 sq. ft. public, community arts center that contains spaces for dance, theater and music rehearsals, meetings, workshops and performances. A Facility Grant may be used to request use of the facility with a total non-profit rental value of up to $1200 per fiscal year. Request value is calculated at the nonprofit arts & cultural rate rate posted on the DAC website: http://www.durhamarts.org/pdf/facility/Event%20Room%20Rates%20and%20Fees.pdf

Applicants will only be granted one facility grant per fiscal year (July 1 -June 30). Facility Grants are for rent only and do not include technical, maintenance or security fees incurred by the recipient. All Facility Grants require a User Fee payment by the recipient (See below in Item #2).  If you are awarded a grant you will receive a contract itemizing fees and grant credits, at which time you will be able to adjust your project if necessary.

NOTE: You cannot apply for space using a Facility Grant if you have already made the same request using a Durham Arts Council Season Grant. 

Please contact facility staff before or  during your application process to check availability of the building  and to calculate any additional facility costs. Availability of facility  space is not guaranteed until an event contract has been signed with  the facilities department.

Contact: dacfacilities@durhamarts.org or (919)560-2787

What are the criteria by which Durham Arts Council (DAC) evaluates applications? 

Criteria for evaluating applications are: Quality of Art or Arts Experience, Project Implementation and Impact of the Grant on the quality of the project. Facility Grants are dependent on scheduling restrictions and event compatibility. 

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU CONSIDER APPLYING FOR THIS GRANT: 

1. You may not apply if you have any outstanding bills or late grant reports due to DAC. 

2. If you are requesting use of the Peoples Security Insurance Theatre, please note that if you are approved for this grant we require payment of a non-refundable, non-transferable User Fee of $70 per performance day in the theatre. If you are applying to use any non performance space at DAC, we require payment of a non-refundable, non-transferable User Fee of $10 for each 4 hour use. This will be due with your signed contract. If you cancel your performance, rehearsal or meeting you lose this deposit. If using the Theatre, we will also require you to meet with the DAC Technical Director at least two weeks prior to event. 

3. Any time you occupy or enter Peoples Security Insurance Theatre, whether for performance, load-in, load-out, rehearsal or other reasons, DAC’s Technical Director must be present. Overtime rates may apply if your use requires more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week of the technician’s time. This grant does not cover technician fees.  See the DAC website for current rates: https://durhamarts.org/facility/

4. Normal Durham Arts Council building activity hours are 9:00 AM-9:00 PM, Monday through Saturday and 1:00-6:00 PM on Sunday. Any access to the building before or after these hours must be requested ahead of time and will result in extra charges to you. 

5. Although use of tables, chairs and music stands can be included as part of the grant request, the recipient is responsible for setting them up and taking them down. 

6. Although we can usually provide a piano, it is provided with tuning “as is”. If you will require tuning beyond this level, DAC will schedule the tuning and bill you. 

7. Durham Arts Council reserves the right to require a security deposit depending on the type of activity and/or applicant’s previous credit history or lack of history. If you need further information about Durham Arts Council or have questions about this grant, contact the Office of Artist Services at 919-560-2720 or 560-2719. DAC reserves the right to request more information before making a decision about the award. You will generally receive notification in 6-8 weeks after due date. Please note that fees quoted in this document are current as of June 2016 and are subject to change without notice.