Artists’ Business Initiative Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

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?

Please note

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.

• Eligibility

  The applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be a professional-caliber working artist or group of artists working in collaboration, in one or more of the following artistic disciplines:
     
     • Dance (choreography or performance).
     • Music (production, composition, songwriting, or performance).
     • Opera/musical theatre (producing, directing or performance).
     • Theatre (producing, directing, acting, or playwriting).
     • Visual arts (painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, or printmaking).
     • Crafts (ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, or wood).
     • Photography.
     • Design arts (architecture, fashion, theatrical, graphic, industrial, or interior).
     • Media arts (TV or film production, experimental film, screenwriting, or animation).
     • Folk and traditional arts.
     • Literature (poetry or prose).
     • Spoken word/slam poetry.
     • Time-based arts (installation, sound, video art, computer-generated art, or performance art).
     • Public art (ephemeral or permanent).
  2. Be a legal resident of the U.S. and S.C., with a permanent residence in the state for at least one year prior to the application and throughout the grant period.
  3. Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
  4. Not be a degree-seeking student during the grant period.

  Please note:

  • If the applicant is a group of artists working in collaboration, one individual artist must serve as the primary applicant and recipient of funds. SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.
  • Funding will be awarded to the individual artist identified as the primary applicant, not to a business entity.

• Restrictions

  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.

• Use of Funds

  ABI funding may be used

  • To help launch a new arts-based business initiative (or significantly alter an existing business initiative) that will operate in an ongoing manner.
    or
  • To help execute a temporary business initiative (a one-time business occurrence or single purchase), that will provide career satisfaction and sustainability.

• Additional Requirements of this Grant

  1. Applicants whose Intent to Apply applications are approved will commit to:
     1. Mandatory attendance at ABI Full Application Workshop on January 9, 2025 at 3 p.m.
  2. Applicants whose proposals are funded in this initiative will commit to:
     1. Mandatory participation in professional development offerings during the grant period.
     2. Submission of interim progress reports (narrative and financial statements) over the course of the grant period.
  3. Schedule and participate in virtual quarterly evaluation status check-in meetings with the assigned program director or coordinator, providing feedback on your progress with production/e-commerce management strategies on or about the 2nd week of the month after quarterly report submissions.
  4. Must participate in at least four (4) additional quarterly professional development activities, virtually or in-person, including:
     1. Must participate in at least one (1) virtual Artist Entrepreneur Incubator (AEI) Business Planning Session for professional development provided by SCAC
     2. Must participate in at least one (1) virtual South Carolina Arts Network (SCAN) activity for professional development provided by SCAC.
     3. Must complete at least one (1) virtual learning activity via CreativeStudy.com.

• Priority

  There are no specified priority areas for this grant category.

• Deadlines & Grant Period

  Deadlines

  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.

  Grant Period

  July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $5,000

  SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.

  Matching Requirements

  1:2 (grantee:SCAC)

  • A 1:2 match means that for each SCAC dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.50 of their own funds.

  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.

• Grant Criteria

  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.

  Part One:

  FY26 Artists’ Business Initiative Grant Intent to Apply Evaluation Rubric
  	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.

  Part Two:

  FY26 Artists’ Business Initiative Grant Full Application Evaluation Rubric
  Narrative (40%)
  	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%)
  	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%)
  	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

  Printer-friendly Full Grant Application rubric.

How to Apply

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.

• Your Grants Portal Account

  The applicant must have an active account in our Grants Portal.

  • If you have previously used Submittable to apply for other SCAC grants or programs, please note that the grants portal is a different system. Your Submittable credentials will not work; you will need a grants portal account to apply for this grant.
  • If you have used the grants portal as both an artist and for a school or organization, be sure you log on with the correct account to apply for this grant.

• Support Materials: Work Samples

  As part of your Intent to Apply application, you will provide samples of your artistic work.

  • The work represented by these samples should be
    1. the type(s) of work proposed in your business initiative; and
    2. completed within the last five years.
  • For each work sample, you will be asked to submit a brief statement describing the work and its relationship to the business initiative for which you are requesting support.
  • If necessary, please feel free to combine artistic disciplines. For example: if you are a performing arts cooperative, you might submit a video of a combined performance of dancers, singers, and musicians.
  • The samples themselves should be of the highest possible quality.
  • 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.

  DANCE (CHOREOGRAPHY OR PERFORMANCE), MUSIC: PERFORMANCE, OPERA/MUSICAL THEATRE, OR THEATRE: PERFORMANCE

  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.

  • Each work sample must be of only one performed piece. However, the recording or footage of each piece may be edited to include selections that exhibit the artist’s best work.
  • For each work sample submitted, you must provide the title, the year, the length, and beginning and ending time codes.
  • If the work is not available on the web, contact our Grants Team at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  MEDIA: PRODUCTION and FILM: ANIMATION

  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.

  • For each work sample submitted, you must provide the title, the year, the length, and beginning & ending time codes.
  • The first work sample must be a non-collaborative work conceived solely by the applicant. The second sample may be a collaborative piece.
  • If the work is not available on the web, contact our Grants Team at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  MEDIA ARTS: SCREENWRITING and THEATRE: PLAYWRITING

  • Applicants must submit one full-length original work sample, may submit up to two samples of full-length original work.
  • Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf., .txt

  MUSIC: COMPOSITION

  Applicants must submit links for two (2) original compositions with accompanying scores or lead sheets.

  • For improvisational compositions in which the composer is also performing, indicate the instrument played by the composer.
  • For compositions for which scores are not available, a brief description of the composition process must be submitted.
  • Acceptable file types for scores: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf., .txt

  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.

  POETRY/PROSE

  • Applicants must submit 10 pages of work, may submit up to 20 pages of work.
    • Poetry applicants: Each page may contain no more than one poem.
  • Double-spacing is not required.
    • Typeface must be legible, no less than 12 point;
    • Margins must be at least one inch; and
    • Pages must be numbered.
  • Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf., .txt
  • Do not submit books, chapbooks, magazines, pamphlets, or tear sheets of your work from publications.

  VISUAL ARTS, CRAFTS, PHOTOGRAPHY, OR DESIGN ARTS

  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.

  • Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg/.jpeg, .png, .tif/.tiff, .svg, .pdf
  • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, medium, dimensions, and year completed.

  SPOKEN WORD/SLAM POETRY

  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.

  • Panelists will not view more than 18 minutes of footage per application.
  • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, year completed, length, and beginning and ending time codes.
  • If the work is not available on the web, contact our Grants Team at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  TIME-BASED ARTS (INSTALLATION, SOUND, FILM, VIDEO ART, ANIMATION, COMPUTER GENERATED ART, PERFORMANCE ART)

  Applicants must submit five (5) work samples and may submit up to ten (10) work samples, consisting of the following:

  • May submit up to three (3) images
    • Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg/.jpeg, .png, .tif/.tiff, .svg, .pdf
  • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, medium, dimensions, and year completed.

  AND

  • May submit up to seven (7) listening/viewing samples.

  • • All samples must not exceed 20 minutes combined. Panelists will not view more than 20 minutes of footage per application.
    • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, year completed, length, and beginning and ending time codes.
    • All samples must be added by providing a link to each work. If the work is not available on the web, contact our Grants Team at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  PUBLIC ART (EPHEMERAL OR PERMANENT)

  Applicants must submit five (5) work samples and may submit up to ten (10) work samples, consisting of the following:

  • May submit up to five (5) images
    • Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg/.jpeg, .png, .tif/.tiff, .svg, .pdf
    • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, medium, dimensions, and year completed.

  AND

  • May submit up to five (5) video samples.

  • • All samples must not exceed 20 minutes combined. Panelists will not view more than 20 minutes of footage per application.
    • For each work sample submitted, you must provide its title, year completed, length, and beginning and ending time codes.
    • All samples must be added by providing a link to each work. If the work is not available on the web, contact our Grants Team at grants@arts.sc.gov.

• Support Materials: Resumes

  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.

  • Each resume may be a maximum of three pages; additional pages will not be read by the evaluators.
  • Font size cannot be smaller than 11 pt.
  • Font type is limited to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf., .txt

  Additional guidance is available on our Support Materials page.

• Starting Your Application

  Applying for an ABI grant is a two-part process.

  Part One: Intent to Apply Application

  To submit an Intent to Apply Application,

  1. Follow the “Apply” link below. The Grants Portal will open in a new browser tab or window.
  2. Log on, then click the “Apply” link at the top of your applicant dashboard.
  3. Find “FY26 Artists’ Business Initiative” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

  Part Two: Full Grant Application

  Artists invited to develop their proposal into a full grant application will receive instructions on how to submit.

After You Apply

• Review Process

  Part One: Intent to Apply Application

  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.

  Part Two: Full Grant Application

  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 You Receive a Grant Award

  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. Additionally, if awarded, all parties agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, executive orders, and provisions.

  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.

  Grant Payments

  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.

  Final Report

  ALL GRANTEES are required to submit 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.