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SC Arts Commission Grants Programs

Folklife & Traditional Arts Grant Guidelines

Before applying, you are strongly advised to discuss your project with the Folklife & Traditional Arts director in order to determine if your project meets the guidelines.

 

Description
Traditional arts are expressions of shared identity that are learned as a part of the cultural life of a particular group. This shared identity may be due to familial, geographic, tribal, occupational, religious or ethnic connections. Expressions of a living culture, traditional arts have been handed down from one generation to the next and reflect the shared experience and values of a group.

 

The Folklife & Traditional Arts grant supports non-profit organizations that seek to promote and preserve the traditional arts practiced across the state. Priority for funding is given to projects that provide recognition and support for South Carolina's traditional art forms and their practitioners.

 

Purpose
The purpose of the Folklife and Traditional Arts grant program is to ensure that South Carolina's living traditions remain vibrant and visible parts of community life. To do so, we fund the projects that may include the following:

  • Presentation of Traditional Artists through workshops, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, radio programs, recordings, etc.
  • Documentation of Traditional Arts and/or Folklife of South Carolina – such a project must result in some form of public presentation
  • Cultural Survey – fieldwork done to identify traditions and traditional artists
  • Production, Documentation and/or Distribution of a traditional artist's work; for example, the production of publicity materials
  • Acquisition of difficult-to-obtain materials or equipment needed to create traditional art
  • Conservation – projects, such as apprenticeships, that serve to keep a traditional art form vibrant and visible

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be:

A S.C. organization is one that reflects S.C. as its primary address on all current official organizational documents.

 

Restrictions

  • Modern interpretations of traditional art and revivals of traditions that have ceased to exist within the originating culture are not funded.
  • Individual artists are not eligible to apply to this program.
  • General oral history projects, projects that are limited to an historical focus and projects that present historical recreations of past lifestyles are not eligible.
  • Projects that have a multi-year existence and have been supported by previous SCAC Folklife and Traditional Arts grants will not be a funding priority.

Application Deadline
March 15

Applications must be postmarked, or hand-delivered to the South Carolina Arts Commission offices before 5:00 pm, no later than the stated date, or, when the deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, no later than the next business day.

 

Grant Period

July 1 - June 30

 

Funding Range 
Up to $7,500.


Match
1:1 (applicant:SCAC); 50% of the applicant's match must be cash.


Filing Fee
None


Grant Payments

Payment will be on an expense reimbursement basis only. Grantees may submit a maximum of two interim payments, totaling no more than 80% of the grant award. Final grant payment will be released upon receipt and approval of grantee's final report.

 

Final Report
All grantees are required to file a Final Report (PDF) (How To Use PDFs) at the end of the grant period. The Final Report Due Date is printed on your contract. Failure to file the final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports. Submit only original final report forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your final report form.

 

Review Process
The initial staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, accuracy and detail of budget, clarity of narrative, completeness of application packet, compliance with grant requirements, and confirmation that required support materials have been submitted. A panel composed of professionals representing the field of folk studies will review and rate grant applications on the basis of specific criteria listed in the guidelines. Funding recommendations will be determined by panel consensus. Final funding decisions will then be presented to the Board of Commissioners for approval.

 

Review Criteria
Please note that the criteria used for review are noted in the "Required Application Materials" section, under "Narrative." It is strongly recommended that you use the criteria to guide you in determining what to include in the narrative. Although all of the narrative is meaningful, the number of points assigned to a section gives you an idea of its relative importance. (Remember to number and name the sections on your application.) Also, do not assume that the panelists know anything about you, your organization or your project. Write clearly and concisely. Creative writing is appreciated, but it is not a good substitute for a logical and honest presentation.


Required Application Materials

Each page/item of materials must be labeled with the name of the applicant organization and be submitted in a format suitable for copying. Typeface must be legible and no less than 12 point.

 

Do not use 3-ring binders, folders, or bind the application materials in any way other than with binder clips or paper clips.


The application package must include one complete collated set of the following eight items:


  1. Three forms:
    Provide original forms, completed and signed. Forms are in portable document format (PDF). How To Use PDFs

  2. Narrative
    The Narrative should not exceed 4 numbered pages, and must address the topics below. Each item in the Narrative should be identified by the appropriate letter and topic heading. Please see the Review Criteria Indicators, as panelists will use these as guides for their review and rating of your application.

    1. Project Description
      Give a brief summary of the proposed project.


    2. Artistry
      1. Who are the traditional artists involved in this project and what are the traditional art forms they practice?
      2. What is the relationship of the traditional art form to the community?
      3. Is the artist a member of the identified community, or does he or she have a long-standing relationship with it?

      Artistry Review Criteria - 50 points
      The project involves artists whose primary work exhibits high quality in the area of traditional arts.

      Artistry Indicators:
      1. The artists involved are traditional artists
      2. The artist's work is of high quality, as demonstrated by support materials.
      3. There is evidence that the artists involved are recognized as capable practitioners of their art forms within the identified community.

    3. Impact
      1. What is the motivation for the project?
      2. Why is it important for your organization, your community, and/or the state? Include information on how and by whom this need was identified.
      3. Who is the target audience?
      4. How does this project benefit the artists involved?

      Impact Review Criteria - 30 points
      The project can raise the visibility of and appreciation for the art form within the identified community and/or build bridges between the identified community and other groups by raising awareness about the art form. The applicant demonstrates a commitment to folklife and traditional arts documentation and/or programming through consistent past programming or plans for future projects.

      Impact Indicators:
      1. The project involves and impacts members of the identified community as well as other audiences;
      2. There is a demonstrated need for the project. Particular consideration will be given to projects and applicants whose needs cannot be met through other means;
      3. The project has the potential to promote a broader understanding of traditional arts by presenting them in context and/or with quality interpretive material. Emphasis is on traditional arts as living tradition.

    4. Project Management
      1. What are the specific project activities by which the objectives will be accomplished? Include a project timeline, event times and locations, persons responsible, project participants, and roles of partners.
      2. What are the measurable changes that will result from the project?

      Project Management Review Criteria - 20 points
      The application presents a project that is manageable and achievable within the scope of the activities of the applicant organization.

      Project Management Indicators:
      1. The project involves personnel with knowledge of folklife documentation and/or traditional arts programming methods;
      2. The proposed project activities are appropriate and feasible;
      3. The proposed budget is appropriate and feasible;
      4. The methods used to evaluate the outcomes of the project are appropriate and effective;
      5. The application and support materials are complete.


  3. Staff list
    List of all current and proposed staff (or project) positions with brief descriptions of responsibilities for each. Include names (indicate with asterisks those who are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic), titles, and salary ranges.


  4. Résumés
    Brief résumés for principal artistic and administrative project personnel. Individual résumés must not exceed 3 pages each. Additional pages will not be submitted to the review panel.


  5. Board of Directors list
    List of Applicant's current board of directors. Include board member's occupations/professional affiliations, indicating with asterisks those who are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic.


  6. IRS tax-exempt letter
    A copy of applicant's IRS tax-exempt letter.
    OR, IF APPLYING THROUGH A FISCAL AGENT,
    • A copy of fiscal agent's IRS tax-exempt letter
    • A copy of a letter of agreement, signed by both the applicant and the fiscal agent that outlines the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.
  7. Required support materials
    See the Submitting Support Materials section for more information.

 

NOTE: The SC Arts Commission will no longer require a copy of an applicant's current SC Charities registration letter. Instead, applicant information will be provided to the SC Office of the Secretary of State. In accordance with the SC Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, charitable organizations must maintain current registration with the SC Office of the Secretary of State. Failure to register and renew the registration annually may result in severe fines by the SC Office of the Secretary of State.

 

Submit completed applications to:
Folklife & Traditional Arts Grant Program
SC Arts Commission
1800 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submit only original application forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your application.


Instructions

In addition to this page, you must read the following for complete guideline information:


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