Purpose
To support artist-driven, arts-based business initiatives that provide career satisfaction & sustainability for S.C. artists
Who's Eligible
Professional-caliber S.C. working artists (individuals and collaboratives)
Funding
Up to $5,000
Matching Requirement
1:2 (grantee:SCAC)
Artists’ Business Initiative grants encourage and enable the creation, expansion, or modification of artist-driven, arts-based business initiatives that will provide career satisfaction and sustainability for South Carolina artists.
South Carolina artists (individuals and collaboratives) may use ABI funding to help launch a new arts-based business initiative (or significantly alter an existing initiative) that will operate in an ongoing manner, or to help execute a temporary business initiative (a one-time occurrence or single purchase) that will provide career satisfaction and sustainability.
What is the Artists’ Business Initiative?
Applying for an ABI grant is a two-part process. Part One, the Intent to Apply Application, is open to all who are eligible. Part Two, the Full Grant Application, is by invitation only.
Please Note
Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.
The applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Please note:
Past recipients of the ABI or AVI (Artists’ Ventures Initiative) grant may not reapply. Additional funds may be available through Arts Project Support grants.
Commissioners and staff of the S.C. Arts Commission and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply for any individual SCAC programs, grants, fellowships, or services that provide financial support or career recognition.
ABI funding may be used
There are no specified priority areas for this grant category.
Part One: Intent to Apply Application (Open to All) – November 15, 2024
Part Two: Full Grant Application (By Invitation Only) – March 18, 2025
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.
July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026
Up to $5,000
SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.
1:2 (grantee:SCAC)
100% of the grantee’s match must be cash. No in-kind or creative time is allowed as part of the grantee’s match.
Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.
Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?
The SCAC recommends using its published rubrics as guides when writing your Intent to Apply application and, if invited, full application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within these rubrics.
FY26 Artists’ Business Initiative Grant Intent to Apply Evaluation Rubric | ||
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0 | 2 | |
Business mission statement | No, the applicant does not address their mission statement. | Yes, the applicant addresses their mission statement. |
0 | 2 | |
Business operations description | No, the applicant does not explain their work and the processes used to accomplish that work. | Yes, the applicant explains their work and the processes used to accomplish that work. |
0 | 2 | |
Business marketing strategy | No, the applicant does not explain where and how the product or service is sold, as well as a description of the market research that has led to these choices. | Yes, the applicant explains where and how the product or service is sold, as well as a description of the market research that has led to these choices. |
0 | 2 | |
Funding utilization | No, the applicant does not give a clear explanation of how requested funding will be utilized. | Yes, the applicant gives a clear explanation of how requested funding will be utilized. |
0 | 2 | |
Project type | No, the applicant did not explain that this ABI request is a one-time project/single purchase or an ongoing business initiative. | Yes, the applicant explained that this ABI request is a one-time project/single purchase or an ongoing business initiative. |
0 | 2 | |
Work samples professional evidence | No, the work samples do not show evidence of the caliber of a professional artist or professional group of artists working in collaboration. | Yes, the work samples show evidence of the caliber of a professional artist or professional group of artists working in collaboration. |
0 | 2 | |
Work samples representative | No, the work samples are not representative of the types of work proposed in the artist business initiative. | Yes, the work samples are representative of the types of work proposed in the artist business initiative. |
0 | 2 | |
Work samples age | No, the work samples are not less than five years old. | Yes, the work samples are less than five years old. |
0 | 2 | |
Resume | No, the applicant’s resume is not representative of the caliber of a professional artist or group of professional artists working in collaboration. | Yes, the applicant’s resume is representative of the caliber of a professional artist or group of professional artists working in collaboration. |
0 | 2 | |
Full application | No, the applicant should not be invited to submit a full application. | Yes, the applicant should be invited to submit a full application. |
Printer-friendly Intent to Apply rubric.
FY26 Artists’ Business Initiative Grant Full Application Evaluation Rubric |
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Narrative (40%) |
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0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Mission statement | The business’s mission statement does not align with the planned activities, products, and objectives. | The business’s mission statement aligns with some planned activities, products, goals, and objectives. | The business’s mission statement aligns with the planned activities, products, goals, and objectives. | The business’s mission statement strongly aligns with the planned activities, products, goals, and objectives. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Business initiative description | The business initiative is unclear. No details are provided. | The business initiative is clearly explained with some details. | The business initiative is detailed and explained. | The business initiative is extremely detailed and clearly explained. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Objectives and goals | Objectives and goals are not described nor forecasted. | Objectives are generally described with some goals forecasted. | Objectives are described with specific goals forecasted. | Objectives are clearly described with specific goals forecasted. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Sustainable career | Applicant does not describe how the Initiative will help build a satisfying and sustainable career. | Applicant somewhat describes how the Initiative will help build a satisfying and sustainable career. | Applicant adequately describes how the Initiative will help build a satisfying and sustainable career. | Applicant clearly describes how the Initiative will help build a satisfying and sustainable career. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Business initiative locations | Applicant does not identify locations or explain why locations are appropriate for the business. | Applicant identifies some locations and somewhat explains why locations are appropriate for the business. | Applicant identifies locations and explains why locations are appropriate for the business. | Applicant clearly identifies locations and compellingly explains why locations are highly appropriate for the business. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Business timeline | The timeline is unrealistic and not likely achievable for the occurrence, product, or service. | The timeline is somewhat realistic and achievable for the occurrence, product, or service. | The timeline is realistic and achievable for the occurrence, product, or service. | The timeline is extremely realistic and highly achievable for the occurrence, product, or service. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Stage of development | Business is in the pre- development stage. | Business is in the early stage of development. | Business is in the mid stage of development. | Business is in the advanced stage of development. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Liability concerns | No liability concerns were addressed if they were applicable. If none were applicable, there was not an explanation given. | Some liability concerns were addressed if applicable, if not applicable, an explanation was given. | Liability concerns were addressed if applicable, if not applicable, an explanation was given. | Liability concerns were very clearly addressed if applicable, if not applicable, a detailed explanation was given. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Required permits and insurance | Applicant does not understand what insurance coverage and necessary permits are needed and does not have a solid plan to address this. | Applicant understands what insurance coverage and necessary permits are needed but does not have a solid plan to address this. | Applicant understands what insurance coverage and necessary permits are needed and has a solid plan to address this. | Applicant deeply understands what insurance coverage and necessary permits are needed and has a very solid plan to address this. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Trademarks, etc. | The applicant does not have a detailed plan for trademark, copyright, patents, etc. | The applicant has a plan for trademark, copyright, patents, etc. | The applicant has a solid plan for trademark, copyright, patents, etc. | The applicant has a detailed plan for trademark, copyright, patents, etc. |
Narrative- Business Plan (30%) |
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0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Target market | The target market is not understood nor described with market research. | The target market is somewhat understood and somewhat described with market research. | The target market is understood and described with relevant market research. | The target market is very clearly understood and described with relevant market research. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Market size | Market size is unknown, and no specifics were provided. | Market size is somewhat known with some specifics provided. | Market size is known with specifics provided. | Market size is very well known with specifics provided. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Marketing strategy | There is not a detailed and planned strategy for reaching this market and getting them to buy/utilize the product/service. | There is a somewhat detailed and planned strategy for reaching this market and getting them to buy/utilize the product/service. | There is a detailed and planned strategy for reaching this market and getting them to buy/utilize the product/service. | There is a highly detailed and planned strategy for reaching this market and getting them to buy/utilize the product/service. |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Competition difference | Current and potential competitors are not identified and there is not a plan for differentiating the product or service. | Current and potential competitors are somewhat identified and there is some sort of plan for differentiating the product or service. | Current and potential competitors are identified and there is a plan for differentiating the product or service. | Current and potential competitors are clearly identified and there is a distinct plan for differentiating the product or service. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Price and product distribution | Price and distribution channels are unidentified or not achievable. | Price and distribution channels are identified and may be achievable. | Price and distribution channels are identified and achievable. | Price and distribution channels are clearly identified and are highly achievable. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Management personnel | There are personnel with minimal experience to manage operational processes. | There are personnel with some experience to manage operational processes. | There are personnel with adequate experience to manage operational processes. | There are personnel with substantial experience to manage operational processes. |
0-1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Artistic personnel | There are personnel with minimal experience to manage the artistic processes. | There are personnel with some experience to manage the artistic processes. | There are personnel with adequate experience to manage the artistic processes. | There are personnel with substantial experience to manage the artistic processes. |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Personnel compensation | Personnel will be volunteers and unpaid interns. | Personnel will be volunteers and paid interns. | All personnel will be compensated. | All personnel will be compensated very well. |
Panel Presentation (30%) |
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0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | |
Applicant addressed questions, suggestions, or panel concerns | Questions, suggestions, or panel concerns were not addressed. | Some questions, suggestions, or panel concerns were considered, discussed, and answered. | All questions, suggestions, or panel concerns were considered, discussed, and answered. | All questions, suggestions, or panel concerns were carefully considered, discussed at length, and thoroughly answered. |
0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | |
Sample materials are professionally displayed/shown | Sample materials are not high quality and are unprofessionally displayed/shown and explained. | Sample materials are somewhat high quality and professionally displayed/shown and explained. | Sample materials are high quality and are professionally displayed/shown and explained. | Sample materials are the highest quality and are expertly displayed/shown and explained. |
0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | |
Verbal presentation | Verbal presentation is not informative. | Verbal presentation is somewhat informative and concise. | Verbal presentation is informative and concise. | Verbal presentation is extremely informative and concise. |
0-1 | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | |
Business initiative goals | Goals of proposed business initiative are unclear. | Goals of proposed business initiative are somewhat clear. | Goals of proposed business initiative are clear. | Goals of proposed business initiative are extremely clear. |
1 | 2 | |||
Applicant was prepared for presentation and punctual | No | Yes |
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 Intent to Apply application, you will provide samples of your artistic work.
Additional guidance is available on our Support Materials page.
Applicants must submit one (1) viewing sample, may submit up to two (2) viewing samples (not to exceed 20 minutes combined), by providing a link to each work. Panelists will not view more than 20 minutes of footage per application.
Applicants must submit viewing samples (not to exceed 10 minutes each) from up to two (2) completed works, by providing a link to each work. Panelists will not view more than 10 minutes of footage per application.
Applicants must submit links for two (2) original compositions with accompanying scores or lead sheets.
Total submitted footage (all samples) must not exceed 10 minutes combined. Panelists will not view more than 10 minutes of footage per application.
For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, year completed, length, and beginning and ending time codes.
Applicants must upload five (5) high-res images, may upload up to 10 high-res images. At least five (5) images must be high-res.
Applicants must submit three (3) three-minute work samples, may submit up to six (6) three-minute samples (not to exceed 18 minutes combined) of original spoken word/slam poetry, by providing a link to each work.
Applicants must submit five (5) work samples and may submit up to ten (10) work samples, consisting of the following:
AND
Applicants must submit five (5) work samples and may submit up to ten (10) work samples, consisting of the following:
AND
In addition to samples of your artistic work, you will upload up to five resumes for artistic and management personnel responsible for managing the artistic product and/or supporting processes central to the business initiative.
Additional guidance is available on our Support Materials page.
Applying for an ABI grant is a two-part process.
To submit an Intent to Apply Application,
Artists invited to develop their proposal into a full grant application will receive instructions on how to submit.
The Grants Team will review submitted Intent to Apply applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. SCAC program staff and management will evaluate the Intent to Apply applications based on the published review criteria, and recommend whether an applicant should be invited to develop their proposed business initiative into a full grant application. An applicant’s panel comments are available to them upon request.
The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. A review panel of business professionals will evaluate the applications based on the published review criteria.
Applicants will then present their business initiative to the review panel; details will be provided prior to the panel meeting, scheduled for May 7, 2025.
Upon the completion of both review panels, an applicant’s panel feedback will be available to them upon request.
SCAC program staff and management will then develop funding recommendations, based on these evaluations and the availability of funds. Recommendations will be presented to the board of commissioners, which makes final award decisions. Award notification is expected after the June 2025 board meeting, pending completion of the state budget process.
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.
Payment will be on an expense reimbursement basis only. Accurate financial quarterly reports fulfilling the grant program requirements must be submitted in order to receive payment for the grant award. Payments will be released upon receipt and approval of the first, second, and third quarterly reports, with the final grant payment released upon receipt and approval of the grantee’s final report.
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.
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.