Arts Project Support Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

Arts Project Support grants support an artist’s or organization’s quality arts project or program or their commitment to improving themselves and/or their work artistically. Among other things, the APS grant can be used to build and/or increase technical, online, or virtual capacity; for community arts development; and for career advancement and/or professional development for artists and arts administration staff.

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change.

• Eligibility

  For Artists

  The applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be a practicing artist in one of the following disciplines:
     
     • Dance (choreography or performance)
     • Music (production or performance)
     • Opera/musical theatre 
     • Theatre (acting or playwriting)
     • Visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, or printmaking)
     • Crafts (clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, wood, or mixed media)
     • Photography
     • Design arts (architecture, fashion, graphic, industrial, or interior)
     • Media arts (production, including animation; or screenwriting)
     • Literature (poetry or prose)
     • Spoken word/slam poetry
     • Time-based arts (installation, sound, experimental film, video art, animation, computer generated art, or performance art)
  2. Be an artist starting their career, who has been active for one to five years.
  3. 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.
  4. Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
  5. Not be a degree-seeking 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
          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. 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 new grant requirement: Unique Entity ID (UEI)

• Restrictions

  1. Applicants may receive up to two APS 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. Organizations that are otherwise eligible, but are receiving SCAC Operating Support funding, may not receive APS funding within the same fiscal year, except for professional development opportunities.

• Use of Funds

  Grant funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non-consumable items needed to complete the proposed project (including, but not limited to):

  FOR ARTISTS

  • Technical, online, or virtual capacity building (e.g., website development, technical support)
  • 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)
  • Professional development (e.g., conference or membership fees, artist residencies, booth or conference fees.)

  These grant funds cannot be used for:

  • Ordinary living expenses incurred during the project
  • Salary, honorarium, or stipend for grantee

  FOR ORGANIZATIONS

  • Technical, online, or virtual capacity building (e.g., website development, technical support)
  • Equipment (e.g., kilns, lighting or sound equipment, musical instruments, storage)
  • Furniture (e.g., easels, music sands)
  • Professional services (e.g., performance space rental, web designer, consultant fees)
  • Professional development (e.g., conference or membership fees)

• Additional Requirements of this Grant

  Any activities carried out within this grant must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

• Priority

  Priority will be given to individuals or organizations that have projects in SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:
  

  • Allendale
  • Calhoun
  • Cherokee
  • Clarendon
  • Dillon
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Laurens
  • Lee
  • Marion
  • Marlboro
  • Newberry
  • Saluda

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  At least five weeks before the project begins, for projects beginning on or after September 5, 2022.

  • Applications must be submitted at least five 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; you may submit an application as soon as you are ready.
  • Note: No applications will be accepted after Monday, March 6, 2023. Here are some time-specific deadlines:
    • September 5, 2022, for projects beginning October 10 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of October 3.
    • October 3, 2022, for projects beginning November 7 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of October 31.
    • October 31, 2022, for projects beginning December 12 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of December 5.
    • December 6, 2022, for projects beginning January 17, 2023 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of January 9, 2023.
    • January 9, 2023, for projects beginning February 13 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of February 6.
    • February 6, 2023, for projects beginning March 13 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of March 6.
    • March 6, 2023, for projects beginning April 17 or later.
      Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of April 10.

  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

  All grant-supported activities must be implemented between September 5, 2022 and May 31, 2023.

  If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 31, please contact

  • Artists: Deputy Director Ce Scott-Fitts (803.734.8203 | cscottfitts@arts.sc.gov).
  • Organizations: Arts Industry Director La Ruchala Murphy (803.734.8762 | lmurphy@arts.sc.gov).

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $2,500 within a fiscal year, in up to two APS grant awards.

  • Example: Within the same fiscal year (July 1-June 30), a grantee could receive up to $2,500 in one APS grant award, or two APS grant awards totaling up to $2,500 (note the restrictions section of these guidelines concerning multiple awards in the same year).

  The maximum eligible award amount for each APS application is determined by the project budget and category matching requirements.

  Federal funding note: This grant might be funded using federal dollars. The SCAC will notify the grantee if federal dollars are used. In the event federal dollars are used, the grantee’s match must not consist of federal funding.

  Matching Requirements

  For Artists

  1:2 (grantee:SCAC – the grantee must match each SCAC dollar with fifty cents of their own funds)

  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Up to 50% may be in-kind donation of materials and contracted services.
    • An example of “in-kind” is a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project.
    • In-kind may not include the applicant’s creative time or salary.
  • Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.

  • SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.

  For Organizations

  1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Up to 50% may be in-kind donation of materials and contracted services.
    • An example of “in-kind” is a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project.
  • Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: You are urged to consider the Review Criteria (detailed in the “Review Process” section of these guidelines, under “After You Apply”) as you prepare your application materials. These criteria will be used to evaluate your application and determine the funding of your proposal.

• Your Online Grants Management 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

  As part of your application, you will provide support materials and/or samples of your artistic work.

  Specific requirements for these materials are outlined in the application. 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.

  Video: Our Grants Coaching Call for Fellowship applicants included discussion of how to select work samples.

• 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 “Arts Project Support” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

After You Apply

• Review Process and Criteria

  Review Process

  l review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. SCAC program staff and management will evaluate the applications based on the published Review Criteria and Priority areas. An applicant’s numerical rating and 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 Executive Director. Award notification is expected within four weeks of submission date.

  ---

  Review Criteria

  Project Details (55%)

  • There is evidence that the project or program design is feasible and well-planned.
  • Personnel are qualified to deliver the program(s) and lead the project. Artistic personnel maintain a commitment to quality in artistic experiences.
  • (Organizations only) There is evidence of board leadership to guide and direct the project.
  • (If applicable) There is evidence of cooperative relationships and support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses.
  • (If applicable) The applicant has well-planned marketing/ distribution efforts.
  • The support materials demonstrate experience and artistic quality.

  Project Impact (30%)

  • The applicant demonstrated the importance of the project or program.
  • (If applicable) The applicant demonstrates an understanding of who and how many will benefit from the proposed activities, and any special characteristics or needs to be addressed.
  • The plan includes appropriate methods of measuring the success of activities.
  • The project serves one or more of the identified opportunity counties.

  Project Budget (15%)

  • There is evidence that adequate financial resources are available to complete the proposed activities well.

  Professional Development Review Criteria

  • The applicant clearly describes the professional development provider/ opportunity to which they will have access through this grant. (45%)
  • The applicant makes a compelling case for the skills they would gain and the impact of this professional development on their career/ work. (35%)
  • There is evidence that adequate financial resources are available to complete the proposed activities well. (20%)

• 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 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 by the due date given.

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

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

  Grant Payments

  For Artists: Payment of 20% of the grant award will be released upon receipt and approval of a completed Contract Packet. The remaining 80% will be paid on an expense reimbursement basis, released upon receipt and approval of a completed Final Report.

  For Organizations: Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only and will be released upon receipt and approval of your 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. As stipulated in your contract, credit must be given to to this source, in addition to SCAC and the National Endowment for the Arts, 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 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’re Here to Help!

Artists

If you are seeking advisement before submitting an application, please contact Deputy Director Ce Scott-Fitts (803.734.8203 | cscottfitts@arts.sc.gov).

Organizations

If you are seeking advisement before submitting an application, please contact Arts Industry Director La Ruchala Murphy (803.734.8762 | lmurphy@arts.sc.gov).

Grants Coaching

We also highly recommend a visit to our Grants Coaching webpage, for

• New Grant Requirement: Moving from DUNS number to Unique Entity ID (UEI)
• open coaching calls for artists,
• category-specific information for grant applicants,
• monthly topic sessions, and
• opportunities for one-on-one assistance.

Missed a group call or session? Look for the “Video” link to access a recording of that presentation.