Art of Community: Rural SC Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

This grant supports arts-based projects in rural South Carolina that use the arts to address issues and challenges in those communities. This grant can also support partnerships between libraries and artists or arts organizations and encourage communities to participate in artistic and cultural activities. The project must serve the rural community in which the applicant is located.

Grant-funded activities should:

1. expand community access to the arts in rural areas and
2. include a public engagement component and
3. engage a project steering committee* to lead the project.

*A project steering committee is the group of people who will be collaborating on and leading this project. This group should have a strong understanding of the project and the applicant organization.

• The project steering committee is responsible for, but not limited to, providing advice and direction, setting the project timeline and budget, monitoring the quality of the project, evaluating and monitoring the success of the project, and defining project outcomes.

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.

• Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be
     • a college or university; OR
     • a unit of state or local government, OR
     • a public library, public library authority, network of public library authorities, or organization managing a public library authority as defined under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964; OR
     • a nonprofit organization
       1. currently registered as a charity with the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office
          Note: Applicants who are exempt from this registration must upload their registration exemption approval.
       2. reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documents
       3. with federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service
          OR
          applying through a tax-exempt fiscal agent/receiver organization
          • Note: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver must submit a letter outlining the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.
  2. The following are ineligible to apply:
     • College/university libraries.
     • Schools and school districts.
     • Individual artists.
     • Individual 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.

  3. 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 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.

• Restrictions

  • Applicants may receive only one (1) Art of Community: Rural SC grant per fiscal year.
    • Non-library college and university departments are eligible to apply, but may receive only one (1) Art of Community: Rural SC grant per department per fiscal year.
  • Any arts material or activity that is already funded by an SCAC grant may not be duplicated in, or overlap with, an Art of Community: Rural SC grant application.
  • Projects must serve the rural community in which the applicant is located.
  • Indirect costs may not exceed 10% of the total project budget.

  Projects must support one or more of the following artistic disciplines:

  • Dance (choreography or performance).
  • Music (production, composition, songwriting, or performance).
  • Opera/musical theatre (producing, directing, performance, or libretto/playwriting).
  • Theatre (producing, directing, 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, theatrical, graphic, industrial, or interior).
  • Media arts (TV or film production, performance, film, screenwriting, or animation).
  • Folklife/Traditional arts (quilting, embroidery, sewing, beading, weaving, pottery, basketmaking, woodcarving, folk music, dance, or oral literature).
  • Literature (poetry or prose).
  • Spoken word/slam poetry.
  • Interdisciplinary (installation, sound, video art, computer-generated art, or performance art).
  • Public art (ephemeral or permanent).

• Use of Funds

  Eligible Expenses

  Grant funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non-consumable items needed to complete the proposed project. Those might include but are not limited to:

  • Artist residencies.
  • Exhibitions.
  • Digital projects.
  • Arts festivals.
  • Workshops.
  • Community murals.
  • Equipment (e.g., kilns, lighting or sound equipment, musical instruments, storage).
  • Furniture (e.g., easels, music stands).
  • Professional services (e.g., performance space rental, web designer, consultant fees).
  • Artistic services (e.g., professional artists, muralists, performers, instructors, or presenters such as those listed on the S.C. Arts Directory).
  • Performances that have a public engagement component.

  If you are hiring artists or teaching artists

  For all grant-funded activities (including group lectures, demonstrations, performances, residencies, and short-term arts teaching experiences), the use of S.C. Arts Directory members is required for school and school district grantees and encouraged for grantees that are organizations.

  Artists identified as Verified Teaching Artists on the S.C. Arts Directory have been additionally vetted by SCAC through the submission of sample lesson plans, recorded teaching samples, and letters of recommendation. For any grantee whose grant-funded activities are for K-12 student services, SCAC encourages the use of Verified Teaching Artists. Many school districts require the use of SCAC Verified Teaching Artists for classroom residencies. If working in a school environment, always check with both the individual school and the school district about policies related to hiring artists, arts organizations, and teaching artists.

  • Learn more about the S.C. Arts Directory.
  • Search for an artist.

  Ineligible Expenses

  These grant funds cannot be used for:

  • New construction/facilities construction.
  • Any activities primarily intended for fundraising.
  • Goods for resale.
  • Lobbying.
  • Costs not directly related to the arts.
  • Capital expenses or purchases.
  • Scholarships or prizes.
  • Endowment funds.
  • Operational support.
  • Professional development.
  • Entertainment expenses, such as receptions, staff/member parties, awards, flowers, etc.
  • Food, beverages, alcohol, or catering services.

  Indirect Cost Limitation

  No more than 10% of the total grant funds may be used for indirect costs (general overhead expenses not directly tied to the project). The remaining 90% must go toward direct costs, which are necessary to carry out the funded project.

  • Examples of direct costs: Artist fees, program supplies, travel for project activities, and venue rental.
  • Examples of indirect costs: Administrative salaries not directly working on the project, office rent, utilities, and general office supplies.

  This ensures that most of the funding directly benefits the project while allowing some flexibility for necessary overhead costs.

• Additional Requirements of this Grant

  All projects must:

  1. include a public engagement component
     AND
  2. provide opportunities for
     • participants to develop their own artistic skills and/or produce their own artistic work; OR
     • artistic development for artists through activities such as residencies or workshops; OR
     • using the arts in new contexts.

  Primary Contact Requirement

  The primary contact listed in the grant application must be the main point of contact throughout the application process and, if awarded, during the grant period.

  For organizations, the primary contact must be an employee or active volunteer of the organization applying for the grant. Intermediaries, such as hired consultants or external representatives, are not permitted to serve as the primary point of contact. The primary contact will be responsible for all communications with the SCAC, including responding to inquiries, providing updates, and submitting required documentation. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in disqualification from the grant process or revocation of awarded funds.

• Priority

  Priority will be given to applicants located in one of the SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:
  

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Marlboro
  • Saluda
  • Union
  • Williamsburg

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  Application period: July 7, 2025 – March 2, 2026.

  • No applications will be accepted after Monday, March 2, 2026.

  Applications must be submitted at least five (5) weeks before grant-funded activities begin or purchases are made. However, earlier applications are encouraged. Applicants do not need to wait until five weeks before their project starts to apply. Projects can begin as early as Aug. 11, 2025.

  Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, staff members are not available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m.

  Grant Period

  All grant-supported activities must be implemented between August 11, 2025 and May 31, 2026.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $5,000

  Federal funding note:

  This grant is funded using federal dollars. The SCAC will notify the grantee of the type of federal dollars used. Because the grant will be funded using federal dollars, the grantee’s match must not consist of federal funding.

  Additionally, federal funding requires special actions and auditing treatment. If you are audited, please advise your auditors of these federal receipts. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has established the following requirements for recipients of federal funds:

  • Provide a final grant report to the SCAC.
  • Adhere to the prohibition against lobbying within a federally supported grant.
  • Use U.S. air carriers for foreign travel associated with this grant.
  • Maintain records pertinent to the grant for six (6) years following submission of the final report.

  Matching Requirements (determined by location)

  Note: If your rural community spans counties in multiple tiers, please contact us BEFORE beginning your application.

  TIER 1

  No match

  Tier 1 counties:

  • Abbeville
  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Barnwell
  • Calhoun
  • Cherokee
  • Chesterfield
  • Clarendon
  • Colleton
  • Dillon
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Marion
  • Marlboro
  • McCormick
  • Newberry
  • Oconee
  • Orangeburg
  • Saluda
  • Union
  • Williamsburg

  TIER 2: 1:3

  (applicant:SCAC)

  A 1:3 match means that for each dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.33 of their own funds.

  • For example, if the total project cost is $1,800, the applicant may request $1,350 and must provide the remaining $450 from other sources.
  • In addition to the federal funding restriction, another SCAC grant cannot be used to match these funds.

  Tier 2 counties:

  • Chester
  • Darlington
  • Fairfield
  • Georgetown
  • Greenwood
  • Jasper
  • Kershaw
  • Lancaster
  • Laurens

  Up to 50% of the grantee’s match may be in-kind donation of materials and contracted services that are essential to the project.

  • Examples of “in-kind” include: a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project, a facility donation to host an event, a local craft store donates supplies for a community mural.

  TIER 3: 1:2

  (applicant:SCAC)

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

  • For example, if the total project cost is $1,800, the applicant may request $1,200 and must provide the remaining $600 from other sources.
  • In addition to the federal funding restriction, another SCAC grant cannot be used to match these funds.

  Tier 3 counties:

  • Aiken
  • Anderson
  • Berkeley
  • Beaufort
  • Charleston
  • Dorchester
  • Florence
  • Greenville
  • Horry
  • Lexington
  • Pickens
  • Richland
  • Spartanburg
  • Sumter
  • York

  Up to 50% of the grantee’s match may be in-kind donation of materials and contracted services that are essential to the project.

  • Examples of “in-kind” include: a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project, a facility donation to host an event, a local craft store donates supplies for a community mural.

• Grant Criteria

  Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?

  The SCAC recommends using the rubric in this section as a guide when writing your application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

  Art of Community Grant Application Evaluation Rubric
  Community Assets and Challenges – 12% of Total Score
  Community Assets	0 points: The community’s biggest assets are vaguely or not at all identified and detailed.	1 point: The community’s biggest assets are somewhat identified, with little detail.	2 points: The community’s biggest assets are clearly identified and detailed.	3 points: The community’s biggest assets are thoroughly identified and strongly detailed.
  Community Challenges	0 points: The community’s biggest challenges are vaguely or not at all identified or detailed.	1 point: The community’s challenges are somewhat identified, with little detail.	2 points: The community’s challenges are clearly identified and detailed.	3 points: The community’s challenges are thoroughly identified and strongly detailed.
  Challenge(s) Addressed	0-1 points: The applicant does not describe the specific challenge(s) the project will address. They do not state how the challenge was identified.	2-3 points: Applicant somewhat describes the specific challenge(s) the project will address. They state how the challenge was identified.	4-5 points: The applicant sufficiently describes the specific challenge(s) the project will address. They clearly state how the challenge was identified.	6 points: The applicant thoroughly describes the specific challenge(s) the project will address. They explain in thorough detail how the challenge was identified.
  Use of Arts and Culture — 10% of Total Score
  Components of the project	0-2 points: Arts and culture are not a component of the project. The applicant provides fewer than 2 examples of art and culture strategically addressing the challenge(s).	3-5 points: Arts and culture are somewhat important to the project. The applicant provides fewer than 5 examples of art and culture strategically addressing the challenge(s).	6-8 points: Arts and culture are a crucial component of the project. The applicant provides 5 examples of art and culture strategically addressing the challenge(s).	9-10 points: Arts and culture are an extremely crucial component of the project. The applicant provides 5 strong examples of art and culture strategically addressing the challenge(s).
  Project Details – 28% of Total Score
  Project Description	0-1 points: Applicant provides little to no description of the project. There are no project goals or the goals are not achievable.	2-3 points: The applicant somewhat describes the project. The goals of the project are possibly achievable.	4-5 points: The applicant describes the project. The goals of the project are clear and achievable.	6 points: The applicant thoroughly describes the project. The goals of the project are strong and achievable.
  Project Activities	0 points: There are little to no planned activities and/or the activities do not align with the project goals.	1-2 points: Planned activities are somewhat detailed and minimally aligned with the project goals.	3-4 points: Planned activities are detailed and aligned with the project goals.	5 points: Planned activities are thoroughly detailed and strongly aligned with the project goals.
  Project Timeline	0 points: There is no activity timeline, or the timeline is not feasible and does not accomplish the project's goals.	1-2 points: There is a limited activity timeline that is somewhat feasible and accomplishes the project's goals.	3-4 points: There is a clear activity timeline that is feasible and accomplishes the project's goals.	5 points: There is a comprehensive activity timeline that is clearly feasible and accomplishes the project's goals.
  Steering Committee	0-1 points: Steering committee members do not have the experience and expertise needed to carry out the project. The Steering Committee chair is not qualified to lead the project.	2-3 points: Some steering committee members have experience, expertise, and community connections needed to carry out the project. The Steering Committee chair is somewhat qualified to lead the project.	4-5 points: Steering committee members have experience, expertise, and community connections needed to carry out the project. The Steering Committee chair is qualified to lead the project.	6 points: Steering committee members have extensive experience, expertise, and community connections needed to carry out the project. The Steering Committee chair is highly qualified to lead the project.
  Artistic Personnel	0-1 points: Bio(s) and support material do not indicate that artistic personnel are qualified to implement the components of the project.	2-3 points: Bio(s) and support material indicate that artistic personnel are somewhat qualified to implement the project.	4-5 points: Bio(s) and support material indicate that artistic personnel are qualified to implement the project.	6 points: Bio(s) and support material strongly indicate that artistic personnel are qualified to implement the project.
  Importance and Engagement – 35% of Total Score
  Project Importance	0-2 points: The applicant does not demonstrate the importance of this project, neither to themselves nor the community it serves.	3-5 points: The applicant somewhat demonstrates the importance of this project, both to themselves and the community it serves.	6-8 points: The applicant demonstrates the importance of this project, both to themselves and the community it serves.	9-10 points: The applicant strongly demonstrates the importance of this project, both to themselves and the community it serves.
  Marketing	0-2 points: The applicant has not specified the project's audience. There is no marketing plan OR The marketing plan will not reach the intended audience.	3-5 points: The applicant has specified the project's audience. There is a well-planned marketing plan that will target the intended audience.	6-8 points: The applicant has specified the project's audience. There is a well-planned marketing plan that will target the intended audience.	9-10 points: The applicant has clearly specified the project's audience. There is a thorough and well-planned marketing plan that will directly target the intended audience.
  Engagement	0-2 points: The project will not engage the community and local government throughout the planning process.	3-5 points: The project will minimally engage with members of the community and local government throughout the planning process.	6-8 points: The project will engage members of the community and local government throughout the planning process.	9-10 points: The project will meaningfully engage members of the community and local government throughout the planning process.
  Success Measurements	0 points: The applicant does not have a plan to collect data to measure the success of the project.	1-2 points: The applicant has a vague plan to collect data to measure the success of the project.	3-4 points: The applicant has a plan to collect data to measure the success of the project.	5 points: The applicant has a thorough and detailed plan to collect data to measure the success of the project.
  Budget and Support Materials – 15% of Total Score
  Budget	0-2 points: The budget is not detailed and/or does not show adequate funding needed to complete the project.	3-5 points: The budget lacks detail but shows adequate funding needed to complete the project.	6-8 points: The budget is detailed and shows adequate funding needed to complete the project.	9-10 points: The budget is clear and detailed and shows strong financial resources to complete the project.
  Support Materials	0 points: Support materials do not showcase the community need, applicant experience, or artistic quality to carry out the project.	1-2 points: Support materials somewhat showcase the community need, applicant experience, or artistic quality to carry out the project.	3-4 points: Support materials effectively showcase the community need, applicant experience, or artistic quality to carry out the project.	5 points: Support materials strongly and effectively showcase the community need, applicant experience, or artistic quality to carry out the project.

  Printer-friendly 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

  Applicants must have an active account in our grants portal (Foundant).

  If you have previously used Submittable to apply for other SCAC grants or programs, please note that Foundant is a different system. Your Submittable credentials will not work; you will need a Foundant 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

  You are required to submit up to five (5) pieces of support material for your project.

  • Please submit support materials/work samples that best represent the type of work you will do related to this proposal. This could include, but is not limited to work samples of artists hired for the project, examples of related projects you have previously completed, photos or video of project location, etc.
  • All work samples should be current (less than five years old).
  • Links to websites where support materials can be viewed are also permitted, including social media sites or YouTube videos. Provide the URLs and other descriptive information. All URL links must be public-facing or viewable to those who have the link, meaning panelists and staff must be able to view the work sample without needing to create an account.
  • If you are uncertain what to submit, refer to the “Support Materials” page of our website for additional details, and/or contact us for advisement.

  Accepted types of support materials

  Video files up to three (3) minutes long each
  Formats: URL link address to web or social media sites

  Audio files up to three (3) minutes long each
  Formats: URL link address to web or social media sites

  Image files
  Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg/.jpeg, .png, .tif/.tiff, .svg

  Document files
  Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf., .txt, .xls/.xlsx

  Website files
  Format: URL link address to web or social media sites

• Starting Your 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 Art of Community: Rural SC” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

After You Apply

• Review Process

  The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. A review panel of community arts professionals will evaluate the applications based on the published review criteria (refer to the “Grant Criteria” section). 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. Final funding decisions are approved by the deputy director. Award notification is expected in four (4) to five (5) weeks after submission.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and/or your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the South Carolina Arts Commission. All parties agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, executive orders, provisions, and requirements stated in the 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

  • 50% of the grant award will be released upon receipt and approval of the signed contract packet.
  • Up to 40% of the remaining grant award will be released upon receipt and approval of up to two interim payment requests.
  • Any remaining amount of the grant award will be released at receipt and approval of the final report.

  Final Report Requirement

  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.

  Delinquent Grantee Communication Policy

  Definition of Delinquency:

  A grant is considered delinquent if the grantee fails to complete any of the following tasks:

  • Submit required reports by the deadline.
  • Fulfill grant agreement terms (e.g., project deliverables, financial documentation).
  • Respond to SCAC requests for updates or corrections.

  Good Faith Outreach:

  Upon identifying delinquency, the SCAC Grants Office will:

  • First Attempt: Notify the grantee via email and phone within five (5) business days, detailing the delinquency and required actions.
  • Second Attempt: If no response after 10 business days, send a follow-up email with “FINAL NOTICE” in the subject line and attempt contact via a second phone call.
  • Third Attempt: If no response after an additional 10 business days (25 days total since initial delinquency), send an email and certified letter to the grantee’s official address on file, stating intent to cancel the grant.

  Grant Cancellation:

  • If the grantee does not respond or rectify the delinquency within 15 business days of the certified letter’s receipt, or 30 business days of sending if receipt is not confirmed, the grant will be formally canceled.
  • The grantee will be notified in writing of the cancellation and any required repayment of funds.
  • Canceled grants may impact eligibility for future SCAC funding.

  Exceptions:

  Extensions may be granted for emergencies (e.g., natural disasters, documented organizational crises) at the discretion of the SCAC Executive Director.