Artists’ Business Initiative Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

Artists’ Business Initiative (ABI) 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. An ongoing business initiative may be awarded up to $5,000. A one-time occurrence/single purchase may be awarded up to $3,500.

What is the Artists’ Business Initiative?

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 (composition or performance)
     • Opera/musical theatre (production or performance)
     • Theatre (performance 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, graphic, industrial, or interior)
     • Media arts (film, animation, including production or screenwriting)
     • Literature (poetry or prose)
     • Spoken word/slam poetry
     • Time-based arts (installation, sound, video art, animation, film, 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 (APS) Grants.

• 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

  • Applicants whose proposals are funded in this initiative will commit to:
    1. Mandatory attendance at ABI Full Application Workshop on January 11, 2024 at 3 p.m.
    2. Mandatory attendance at professional development sessions designed to further the professional development of participating artist entrepreneurs during the grant period.
    3. Submission of interim progress reports (narrative and financial statements) over the course of the grant period.
  • Any activities carried out within this grant must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

• 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, 2023

  Part Two: Full Grant Application (By Invitation Only) – March 19, 2024

  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, 2024 – December 31, 2025

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  • Up to $3,500 for a one-time occurrence/single purchase
  • Up to $5,000 for an ongoing business initiative

  SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.

  Matching Requirements

  1:2 (grantee:SCAC – the grantee must match each SCAC dollar with fifty cents 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: Intent to Apply Application

  • FY25 Artists’ Business Initiative Grant Intent to Apply Evaluation Rubric

  Part Two: Full Grant Application

  The South Carolina Arts Commission’s FY25 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 clearly explained.	The business initiative is extremely detailed and very clearly explained.
  	0-1	2	3	4
  Objectives and Goals	Objectives are few. There are minimal goals.	Objectives and goals are generally discussed.	Objectives are well-planned with specific goals forecasted.	Objectives are extremely well- planned with specific goals forecasted.
  	0-1	2	3	4
  Sustainable career	It is unclear is business will help build a sustainable career.	Business may help applicant build a sustainable career.	Business will help applicant build a sustainable career.	Business will strongly help applicant build a sustainable career.
  	0-1	2	3	4
  Business Initiative locations	Locations have not been identified or considered.	Some locations have been identified and most seem appropriate for the business.	Locations have been identified; locations are appropriate for the business.	Locations have been identified; 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- stage of development.	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	None of the Liability concerns were addressed if they were applicable, if none were applicable, there was not an explanation was given.	Some Liability concerns were addressed if applicable, if not applicable, an explanation was given.	Liability concerns were clearly 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 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.	The target market is somewhat understood.	The target market is clearly understood.	The target market is very clearly understood.
  	0-1	2	3	4
  Market Size	Market size is unknown, and no specifics were provided.	Market size is somewhat known with 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 unknown and there is not a plan for differentiating the product or service.	Current and potential competitors are somewhat known and there is some sort of plan for differentiating the product or service.	Current and potential competitors are known and there is a plan for differentiating the product or service.	Current and potential competitors are very well known 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.	Price and distribution channels are identified and may be achievable.	Price and distribution channels are identified and achievable.	Price and distribution channels are 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 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 not informative.	Verbal presentation is somewhat informative and concise.	Verbal presentation is informative 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

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 as a contact 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: COMPOSITION OR 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
    • 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 “FY25 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 8, 2024.

  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 2024 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. 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 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.