Purpose
To support artists’ and organizations’ quality arts projects and events and/or their commitment to improving themselves and/or their work artistically
Who's Eligible
Artists, nonprofit organizations, and units of government
Funding
Up to $2,500 within a fiscal year
Matching Requirement
1:2 for artists, 1:1 for organizations
These grants support an artist’s or organization’s quality arts project or program or their commitment to improving themselves and/or their work artistically. Among other things, the APS grant can be used to build and/or increase technical, online, or virtual capacity; for supporting art projects in public spaces, community arts development, or professional development for artists and arts administration staff.
Please Note
Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.
The applicant must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, public school districts, government entities, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid UEI number* to receive an SCAC grant award.
*Learn about the new grant requirement: Unique Entity ID (UEI)
Note: If an applicant organization is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate UEI numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver. Exceptions to separate UEI numbers are organizations run by a local government or a school district.
Grant funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non-consumable items needed to complete the proposed project (including, but not limited to):
These grant funds cannot be used for:
These grant funds cannot be used for:
Any activities carried out within this grant must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Priority will be given to individuals or organizations that have projects in SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:
At least five weeks before the project begins, for projects beginning on or after August 7, 2023.
Here are some time-specific deadlines:
Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, please be aware that staff members will not be available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m. that day.
All grant-supported activities must be implemented between August 7, 2023 and May 31, 2024.
If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 31, please contact
Up to $2,500 within a fiscal year, in up to two APS grant awards.
The maximum eligible award amount for each APS application is determined by the project budget and category matching requirements.
Federal funding note: This grant might be funded using federal dollars. The SCAC will notify the grantee if federal dollars are used. In the event federal dollars are used, the grantee’s match must not consist of federal funding.
For Artists
1:2 (grantee:SCAC – the grantee must match each SCAC dollar with fifty cents of their own funds)
SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.
For Organizations
1:1 (grantee:SCAC)
Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?
The SCAC recommends using the FY24 Arts Project Support Grant Evaluation Rubric as a guide when writing your application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.
Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses the Foundant platform.
New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQ, before you begin working in the system.
The applicant must have an active account in our Grants Portal.
As part of your application, you will provide support materials and/or samples of your artistic work.
Specific requirements for these materials are outlined in the application. You may need to create new electronic files (documents, video files, etc.) to submit materials that meet the length, content, formatting, and other specifications. Evaluators will not review additional material beyond the stated maximum amount.
Additional guidance is available on our support materials page.
Video: Our Grants Coaching Call for fellowship applicants included discussion of how to select work samples.
The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. An external panel consisting of arts professionals will evaluate completed applications based on the published review criteria and priority areas. An applicant’s panel comments are available to them upon request. Staff will then develop funding recommendations, based on these evaluations and the availability of funds. Award notification is expected within four (4) weeks of submission date.
If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the South Carolina Arts Commission, and you must comply with all requirements stated in that contract. You will receive notification and instructions when your contract is available in the Grants Portal. You must submit your completed contract packet, including signatures and other documentation as instructed, by the date indicated in the system. You must also complete all other assigned follow ups by the due date.
Please note: Any significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be approved in writing, in advance, by the SCAC. Significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be emailed to grants@arts.sc.gov to be processed for approval or denial.
Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.
For Artists: Payment of 20% of the grant award will be released upon receipt and approval of a completed contract packet. The remaining 80% will be paid on an expense reimbursement basis, released upon receipt and approval of a completed final report.
For Organizations: Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only and will be released upon receipt and approval of your final report.
This grant program is funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC. As stipulated in your contract, credit must be given to to this source, in addition to SCAC and the National Endowment for the Arts, in all advertising, news releases, printed materials, and promotion and publicity. Details about the Coastal Community Foundation of SC are available on their website at CoastalCommunityFoundation.org.
ALL GRANTEES are required to file a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date is stated in the grant contract. Failure to submit an accurate and complete final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of any funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports.
If you are seeking advisement, please contact Artist Development Director Tanisha N. Brown (803.734.8043 | tbrown@arts.sc.gov) before submitting an application.
If you are seeking advisement, please contact Arts Industry Director La Ruchala Murphy (803.734.8762 | lmurphy@arts.sc.gov) before submitting an application.
If you have submitted an application, and/or you have a current grant, please contact the Grants Team (803.734.8695 | grants@arts.sc.gov).
We also highly recommend a visit to our Grants Coaching webpage, for
Missed a group call or session? Look for the video link to access a recording of that presentation.