For Artists

1. The applicant must be
   • a practicing artist in dance, music, opera, musical theatre, theatre, visual arts, design arts, crafts, photography, media arts, and/or literature;
   • a legal resident of the US and SC with a permanent residence in the state for at least one year prior to the application date and throughout the grant period; and
   • 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
2. The applicant must not be a degree-seeking, full-time student during the grant period.

For Organizations

1. The applicant must be
   • a unit of government, OR
   • a nonprofit organization
     1. currently registered with the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office
     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

2. In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, government entities, public school districts, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid DUNS number to receive an S.C. Arts Commission grant award.

    

   If a grantee is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate DUNS numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver.

1. Applicants may receive up to two Arts Project Support grant awards per fiscal year. However, a grantee may not receive funding for the same purchase or project twice in the same fiscal year. Each APS grant awarded within a fiscal year must address a different project or a different component of a previously-funded project.
2. Arts Project Support Grants are awarded to help pay actual project costs; ordinary living expenses during the project cannot be supported with S.C. Arts Commission funds.
3. The S.C. Arts Commission will not review or fund Arts Project Support Grant applications from a resident or an organization in a county served by a subgranting arts council:
   
   • Berkeley
   • Charleston
   • Darlington
   • Dorchester
   • Florence
   • Greenville
   • Spartanburg
   • Sumter
   • York
   
   In these counties, applicants must apply to the subgranting agency, rather than to the Arts Commission. (Contact your local arts council or your S.C. Arts Commission Coordinator to determine the appropriate funding source.)

   Exceptions:

   • The applicant is a statewide organization (defined as “an organization which provides services to an arts, cultural, or cultural special needs constituency throughout the state”) applying for a project that is statewide in scope and is not specific to one community. Otherwise, statewide organizations should apply to the subgrant site in their county. (Please contact the Arts Commission to determine whether or not your organization qualifies as a statewide organization.)
     OR
   • The applicant is a unit of local government applying for a project that supports the purposes of a state-designated cultural district.
4. Organizations that are otherwise eligible, but are receiving S.C. Arts Commission Operating Support funding, may not receive Arts Project Support within the same fiscal year, except for
   • staff development opportunities, or
   • projects supporting a state-designated cultural district.

Priority will be given to individuals or organizations that have projects in the S.C. Arts Commission’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:

• Allendale
• Bamberg
• Calhoun
• Clarendon
• Dillon
• Edgefield
• Hampton
• Jasper
• Lee
• Marion
• McCormick
• Newberry
• Saluda
• Union

Deadline

We have suspended taking applications for Arts Project Support Grants for FY2020 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) to focus our efforts on supporting grantees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least six weeks before the project begins
Applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the project begins or grant-supported purchases are made.

Applications may be submitted until 11:59pm (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 the Arts Commission closes at 5:00 p.m. that day.

Grant Period

All projects must be implemented between July 1 and June 1.
If you are considering project activity in June, please contact your coordinator before applying.

Funding

Up to $1,000

Matching Requirements

For Artists

1:2 (applicant:SCAC)

100% of the applicant’s match must be cash. No in-kind or creative time is allowed as part of applicant’s match.

For Organizations

1:1 (applicant:SCAC)

At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.

Our online grants are managed using the Foundant platform. For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Foundant FAQ, before you begin working in the system.

To apply for an Arts Project Support grant, the applicant must have an active account in our online grants management system.

1. Follow the “Apply” link below. The online grants management system 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 “FY20 Arts Project Support (APS)” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

The initial staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, accuracy and detail of budget, inclusion of a well-written narrative, completeness of submission, compliance with grant requirements, and confirmation of required support materials.

Individual panelists (Arts Commission program staff and management) review and rate grant applications on the basis of the specific criteria listed in these guidelines.

Final funding decisions are approved by the Executive Director.

Review Indicators

Pay attention to the Review Indicators for each section, as the reviewers will use them in assessing your application.

Project Information Review Criteria – 50%

Indicators:

• Evidence that the project or program design is feasible and well-planned. (20%)
• Does the application demonstrate the ability for the applicant to maintain high artistic standards to support the project? (20%)
• Indicates cooperative relationships and support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses. (5%)
• Support materials demonstrate experience and artistic quality. (5%)

Project Impact Review Criteria – 20%

Indicators:

• Demonstrated measures of success for this project. (10%)
• Demonstrated importance for the project or program. (10%)
• The project demonstrates concern for diversity as evidenced by constituency served, audience, programming and participation.
• The project serves one or more of the S.C. Arts Commission’s Opportunity Initiative Counties.

Project Management Review Criteria – 30%

Indicators:

• Demonstrated well-planned marketing/distribution efforts, if applicable.
• Evidence of adequate financial resources are available to complete the project or program well; as indicated in the budget submitted. (30%)
• Organizations only: Demonstrated board leadership to guide and direct the project.

If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the SC 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 our online grants management system. 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 (including a Final Report, as listed in your online account), by the due date given.

Please note: Any significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be approved in writing, in advance, by the SC Arts Commission.

Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.

Grant Payments

Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only and will be released upon receipt and approval of a Final Report.

Funding Credit

This grant program is funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC. In addition to giving credit to the S.C. Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, credit must also be given to this source in all advertising, news releases, printed materials, and promotion and publicity. Details about the Coastal Community Foundation of SC are available on their website at CoastalCommunityFoundation.org.

Final Report

ALL GRANTEES are required to file a Final Report at the end of the grant period. The Final Report Due Date is printed on your 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. The S.C. Arts Commission will not fund applicants who have outstanding Final Reports.