Individual Artist Fellowships

Recognizing and rewarding artistic achievement

The $10,000 awards, made through a highly competitive process, recognize and reward the artistic achievements of exceptional individual #SCArtists.

As one of the arts commission’s signature programs, it directly impacts one of the agency’s core functions—artist development. Fellows receive financial resources so that they may focus on developing and creating art. The breadth of disciplines allows for inclusion while demonstrating how many aspects of the creative economy are touched by the arts.

How the process works

A diverse group of reviewers from each discipline is selected to judge applicants. The application process is no longer anonymous, and awards are no longer made solely on artistic merit. Consideration is also given to work samples, achievements, and commitment to the discipline in which artists apply. (Artists may apply in multiple categories with separate applications.)

Fellowships lend prestige to an artist’s reputation and can open doors to other resources and employment opportunities.

Looking ahead

Artists working in these disciplines are eligible for FY27 Individual Artist Fellowships:

  • Prose.
  • Spoken word/Slam poetry.
  • Performance: dance, music, or acting (film or theatre).
  • Playwriting/Screenwriting.
  • Folk and Traditional Arts (quilting, embroidery, sewing, beading, weaving, pottery, basketmaking, woodcarving, folk music, dance, or oral literature).

Applications will open in fall 2025.

Read the grant guidelines

Current Fellows (FY26)

When soliciting artist statements, the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) provides artists complete latitude for those statements they craft to take any form. Publication of said statements does not—and should not be understood to—indicate endorsement by the state of South Carolina, SCAC, or agents thereof.

Past Fellows

Headshot of Tanisha BrownI’m here to help!

If you are seeking more program information, please contact Artist Development Director Tanisha N. Brown (803.734.8043 | tbrown@arts.sc.gov).