Arts Project Support Grants

About This Grant

These 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 Arts Project Support (APS) grant can be used to build and/or increase technical, online, or virtual capacity; for supporting art projects in public spaces, community arts development, or professional development (PD) for artists and arts administration staff.

• Applicants may receive up to two (2) APS grant awards totaling no more than $2,500 within a fiscal year. However, a grantee may not receive funding for the same purchase or project twice in the same fiscal year.
• Organizations receiving SCAC General Operating Support or Arts Industry Operating Support funding are only eligible to receive APS funding for professional development opportunities.

Please Note

• Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.
• SCAC reserves the right to withdraw from consideration any application that does not comply with these guidelines or applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, executive orders, provisions, and requirements.

• Applicant Coaching

  Join SCAC staff for applicant coaching on Zoom.

  For Artists

  For Organizations

  Please note

  Coaching videos are provided as a guide for applicants in the stated fiscal year and information provided might not apply to subsequent years.

• Who Can Get This Grant

  Artists

  Who Meet All the Following Requirements:

  1. Be a practicing artist in one of the following disciplines:
     
     • Dance (choreography or performance).
     • Music (composition, production, songwriting, or performance).
     • Opera/musical theatre (performance, libretto/playwriting, directing).
     • Theatre (performance, playwriting, directing).
     • 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 (screenwriting, film, animation, performance).
     • Literature (poetry, prose).
     • Spoken word/slam poetry.
     • Interdisciplinary (installation, sound, video art, computer-generated art, performance art).
     • Public art (permanent or ephemeral).
     • Folklife and Traditional Arts (visual arts, performance, or oral literature).
       • Folk and traditional artists create works that are expressions of a shared identity learned as a part of the cultural life of a particular group. This shared identity may be rooted in family, geographic, tribal, occupational, religious, or ethnic connections, among others. Folk and traditional art is handed down/taught from one generation to the next and reflects the shared experience, aesthetics, and values of a group.
  2. Be a legal resident of the U.S. and S.C., with a permanent residence in the state for at least one (1) year prior to the application and throughout the grant period.
  3. Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.

  Organizations

  That Meet All the Following Requirements:

  1. Applicant organizations must be
     • a unit of government, 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. 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.

  Who Cannot Get This Grant

  • Students seeking a degree during the grant period.
  • 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.

• This Grant Can Be Used For...

  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):

  By Artists

  • Technical, online, or virtual capacity building (e.g., website development, technical support, digital skills training).
  • Equipment (e.g., airless paint sprayer, kilns, lighting or sound equipment, musical instruments, storage)
  • Furniture (e.g., easels, music stands).
  • Professional services (e.g., project-specific general liability insurance, performance space rental, web designer, consultant fees).
  • Professional development (e.g., conference or membership fees, artist residencies, public art training, booth, or conference fees).
  • Marketing (e.g., artist branding, event marketing, developing/redeveloping online presence; print or digital materials e.g., flyers, posters, catalogs).

  By 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 stands).
  • Professional services (e.g., performance space rental, web designer, consultant and/or cultural plan development fees).
  • Professional development (e.g., public art facilitation training, conference, or membership fees).

  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.

  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.

   

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  For Artists

  • Ordinary living expenses incurred during the project.
  • Salary, honorarium, or stipend for grantee.
  • Food, beverages, alcohol, catering services.

  For Organizations

  • Fundraising activities.
  • Goods for resale.
  • Lobbying.
  • Costs not directly related to the arts.
  • Capital expenses or purchases.
  • Scholarships or prizes.
  • Endowment funds.
  • Entertainment expenses, such as receptions, staff/member parties, awards, flowers, etc.
  • Food, beverages, alcohol, catering services.

  SCAC Restrictions

  Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

  • Fundraising activities, such as capital campaigns or endowment campaigns.
  • Construction or renovation projects (with the exception of accessibility-based grant categories).
  • Debt retirement.
  • Activities that take place outside of the grant period.
  • Activities that include religious proselytization or promote any one faith over another.
  • Activities that include lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation.
  • Activities that endorse a political party or ideology.
  • Activities that are not in compliance with state and federal laws, including the dissemination of obscene materials (see below).

  Compliance with State and Federal Laws

  All grant applicants must ensure their applications, proposed projects, and any related materials comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This includes SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024), which prohibits the dissemination of obscene materials.

  Obscene content is strictly prohibited in grant applications and any proposed project activities. Applications that include materials or activities determined to be obscene will not be reviewed or considered for funding.

  No component of an SCAC-funded project, including those funded with SCAC funds and those funded with matching funds, can fall into this category. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the termination of funding and other legal consequences.

  We strongly encourage all applicants to carefully review the full legal text of SC Code § 16-15-305 (2024) to ensure their proposals are in full compliance.

• Priority

  Special consideration will be given to individuals or organizations that are located in and/or have projects in SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Edgefield
  • Fairfield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Marlboro
  • McCormick
  • Saluda
  • Union

  Applicants located in or serving an Opportunity County will receive bonus points added to their final scores. Applicants outside of Opportunity Counties are neither penalized nor discouraged from applying in any way.

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  Application period: August 25, 2026 – February 25, 2027.

  Applications must be submitted at least five (5) weeks before grant-funded activities begin or purchases are made. Your project start date will be no sooner than 35 days after you submit your application.

  • Example: If you submit your application on Friday, September 4, 2026, the earliest you could begin your project or make purchases would be Friday, October 9, 2026.

  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 September 29, 2026 and May 31, 2027.

  • All project activities have to be done within the project dates stated in the application.
  • If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 31, please contact us BEFORE submitting your application.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  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 50 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.

  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.
    • In-kind donation example: a waived or discounted contracted fee as a donation to your project.
  • Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.

• Other Things to Know

  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.

  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 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.

   

• Grant Criteria: Project Support

  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.

  FY27 Arts Project Support Grant Application - Evaluation Rubric for Project Support
  Project Details – 40% of total score
  Activity Timeline	0 points: There is no activity timeline or the timeline is not within the start and end dates.	1-2 points: There is a limited activity timeline within the start and end dates.	3-4 points: There is a clear activity timeline within the start and end dates.	5 points: There is a comprehensive activity timeline within the start and end dates.
  Project Goals and Expected Outcomes	0-2 points: The project goals are not provided OR the provided goals do not align with the expected outcomes.	3-5 points: The project goals are somewhat achievable and somewhat align with the expected outcomes.	6-8 points: The project goals are outlined, achievable, and align with the expected outcomes.	9-10 points: The project goals are distinctly outlined, achievable, and properly align with the expected outcomes.
  Funding Importance	0-2 points: Little to no information is provided about how grant funding will support the project's outcome and goals.	3-4 points: The applicant somewhat explains how grant funding supports the project's outcome and goals.	5-6 points: The applicant explains how grant funding will support the project's outcome and goals.	7 points: The applicant explains in specific detail how grant funding will support the project's outcome and goals.
  Activity Location	0 points: No activity location(s) are listed.		5 points: Activity location(s) are clearly listed.
  Key Personnel	0-2 points: Key personnel are not identified and qualifications are not relevant to the proposed project or have little to no experience or capacity to carry out project activities.	3-4 points: Key personnel are somewhat identified, qualifications are relevant to the proposed project, and experience demonstrates the capacity to carry out project activities.	5-6 points: Key personnel are identified, qualifications are relevant to the proposed project, and experience demonstrates the capacity to successfully carry out project activities.	7 points: Key personnel are clearly identified, qualifications are extremely relevant to the proposed project, and experience demonstrates the capacity to successfully carry out project activities.
  Promotion Strategy	0 points: There is little to no planned promotion strategy for the project.	1-2 points: There is a limited plan to promote the project.	3-4 points: There is a clear plan to promote the project.	5-6 points: There is an extremely detailed plan to promote the project.
  Project Impact – 30% of total score
  Importance to Artist or Community	0-3 points: The project has little to no importance to the applicant and/or the community it serves as there is minimal supporting detail provided.	4-7 points: The project is somewhat important to the applicant and/or the community it serves as there are some supporting details provided.	8-11 points: The project is important to the applicant and/or the community it serves as there are supporting details provided.	12-15 points: The project is highly important to the applicant and/or the community it serves as there are specific and many supporting details provided.
  Success Measurements	0-3 points: There is little to no plan to collect data or the plan is unclear on how success of the project will be measured.	4-7 points: The plan to collect data to measure the success of the project is limited.	8-11 points: There is a plan to collect data to measure the success of the project.	12-15 points: The applicant has a structured plan to collect data to measure the success of the project thoroughly.
  Budget – 15% of total score
  Budget Itemization	0 points: The budget lacks detail or expenses and income are not itemized.	1-2 points: The budget includes some detail with expenses and income items partially itemized.	3-4 points: The budget is detailed with all expenses and income items itemized.	5 points: The budget is extremely detailed with all expenses and income items specifically itemized.
  Budget Resources	0-2 points: The budget is not balanced and/or an unrealistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	3-5 points: The budget somewhat demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	6-8 points: The budget demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	9-10 points: The budget clearly demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and reliable income sources to support the project.
  Support Materials – 15% of total score
  Work/Support Material Credit	0 points: Credits are not clearly labeled, accurate, OR indicate the artist or organization did not produce the submitted samples or materials.	1-2 points: Credits are partial or inaccurate and do not indicate that the artist or organization produced the submitted samples or materials.	3-4 points: Credits are clearly and accurately labeled to show the artist or organization produced the submitted samples or materials.	5 points: Credits are thoroughly and accurately presented, clearly showing the artist or organization produced the submitted samples or materials.
  Work/Support Material Relevance	0-2 points: Samples or materials do not show the applicant's skills, resources, and capacity to implement the project.	3-5 points: Samples or materials do not adequately show the applicant’s skills, resources, and capacity to implement the project.	6-8 points: Samples or materials effectively show the applicant's skills, resources, and capacity to implement the project.	9-10 points: Samples or materials strongly show the applicant’s skills, resources, and capacity to implement the project.

  Printer-friendly project rubric.

• Grant Criteria: Professional Development

  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.

  FY27 Arts Project Support Grant Application - Evaluation Rubric for Professional Development
  Professional Development Information – 35% of total score
  Activity Timeline	0-2 points: There is no professional development activity timeline or the timeline is not within the start and end dates.	3-5 points: There is a limited professional development activity timeline within the start and end dates.	6-8 points: There is a clear professional development activity timeline within the start and end dates.	9-10 points: There is a comprehensive professional development activity timeline within the start and end dates.
  Professional Development Provider Identification	0 points: No individuals and/or institutions providing professional development are identified.		5 points: Individuals and/or institutions providing professional development are clearly identified. An accessible, current, and relevant website link to the opportunity is provided.
  Professional Development Provider Information	0-2 points: Little or no information is provided about professional development providers and/or their qualifications or ability to deliver and lead professional development, or they do not have sufficient qualities or abilities to lead professional development.	3-7 points: Some of the professional development providers are qualified and able to deliver and lead professional development.	8-11 points: The professional development providers have qualifications/abilities to deliver and lead professional development.	12-15 points: The professional development providers have expert-level qualifications/ abilities to deliver and lead professional development.
  PD Location	0 points: No information about the location is provided.		5 points: Specific information is provided about the professional development location.
  Professional Development Impact – 45% of total score
  Content Relevance	0-2 points: The professional development content has little or no relevance.	3-7 points: The professional development content is somewhat relevant.	8-11 points: The professional development content is relevant.	12-15 points: The professional development content is extremely relevant.
  Impact on Knowledge/Skills	0-2 points: Little to no information is provided about knowledge or skills to be gained.	3-7 points: The knowledge or skills to be gained are partially described.	8-11 points: The knowledge or skills to be gained are clearly described.	12-15 points: The knowledge or skills to be gained are thoroughly described.
  Work/Career Impact	0-2 points: There is little or no evidence that professional development will benefit skills and knowledge.	3-7 points: There is some evidence that professional development will benefit skills and knowledge to improve future work or career.	8-11 points: There is evidence that professional development will benefit skills and knowledge to improve future work or career.	12-15 points: There is strong evidence that professional development will benefit skills and knowledge to improve future work or career.
  Budget – 20% of total score
  Budget Itemization	0 points: The budget lacks detail, or expenses and income are not itemized.	1-2 points: The budget includes some detail with expenses and income items partially itemized.	3-4 points: The budget is detailed with all expenses and income items itemized.	5 points: The budget is extremely detailed with all expenses and income items specifically itemized.
  Budget Resources	0-3 points: The budget is not balanced and/or an unrealistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	4-7 points: The budget somewhat demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	8-11 points: The budget demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and income sources to support the project.	12-15 points: The budget clearly demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of itemized project expenses and reliable income sources to support the project.

  Printer-friendly professional development rubric.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses Foundant.

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.

• AI and Your Application

  The SCAC recognizes that applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of their grant preparation process. The following policy outlines acceptable and prohibited uses of AI in connection with grant applications and funded projects.

  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure and Acceptable Use Policy

  • Generative AI must not be used for the creation of the proposed artwork or for generating work samples.
  • AI may be used for editing, proofreading, or improving the clarity and quality of narrative text. However, if you use an AI tool to help write or edit your application, you do so at your own risk. When we receive a grant application, it is our understanding that it reflects the applicant’s original ideas, voice, and intent.
  • You remain fully responsible for the content, accuracy, and integrity of your application, including any material created or revised with the assistance of AI.
  • If we identify falsified, fabricated, or misleading information in a grant application—including information produced through the use of AI—the SCAC reserves the right to remove the grant from consideration, or if awarded, to cancel the grant and invoice the grantee for any funds received.
  • If AI is used inappropriately or in violation of this policy, the SCAC reserves the right to remove the grant from consideration, or if awarded, to cancel the grant and invoice the grantee for any funds received.
  • All applicants must ensure that their applications, proposed projects, and all related materials—including information produced through the use of AI— comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

  Applying for this grant indicates that you, the applicant, agree to the terms of this policy.

   

• Supplemental Information: Support Materials

  Support materials show you have the necessary skills, resources, and capacity needed to complete the proposed project.

  You must submit at least two (2) support materials; you may submit up to five (5).

  Support materials might include, but are not limited to:

  • Relevant website and/or social media handles or channels for the project.
  • A memorandum of understanding.
  • Relevant site permission, rental, contract forms, etc.
  • Proof of permits, approvals, or other forms of application.

  For each support material you must provide a description and explain its relationship to the project.

  Support materials may be uploaded, or you may provide a link to the support material(s). If providing a link, it must be accessible without a password, login credentials, or account for that platform. Do not include websites or links for which a password is required.

• Supplemental Information: Work Samples

  As part of your application, you must submit samples of your artistic work. Work samples demonstrate a participating artist’s skill level and expertise relevant to the project.

  If your proposed project is multi-disciplinary, you must select one primary discipline for which to submit work samples. Work samples must be of the highest possible quality.

  Requirements for Work Samples

  Your submitted work samples must:

  • Have been completed within the last five (5) years (After January 1, 2021).
  • Represent the discipline you selected for your project.
  • Demonstrate the range of your artistic ability.
  • Follow the minimum and maximum limits stated in the guidelines.

  Submitting Work Samples

  All links (URLs) must be accessible without a login, password, or account. You may need to upload materials to a public-facing platform (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, YouTube) to meet this requirement.  If your work samples cannot be made available online, contact the grants office.

  Work Sample Limits

  Evaluators will only review up to the maximum stated in the guidelines for each sample type. The limit for each sample type is stated below. Extra materials will not be considered.

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  Performing Arts

  Provide a link to the type of performance sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Dance Choreography: video clips of live performances you choreographed.
  • Dance Performance: video clips of live performances in which you danced.
  • Music Performance: Audio or video clips of live performances in which you are featured or perform solo.
  • Opera, Musical Theatre, and Theatre Performance: video clips of live performances in which you are featured or perform solo.
  • Opera, Musical Theatre, and Theatre Directing: video clips of live performances you directed.
  • Media Arts Performance: video clips of your film or television performances.

  Performing Arts Sample Instructions

  • Support material may not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application.
  • Applicants may submit up to two (2) video or audio (for Music Performance) samples per application.
  • Each sample must feature one (1) performance only.
  • Compilations, trailers, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If your work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide:

  • The title of the piece.
  • The year completed.
  • Your role(s) in the performance.
  • The total runtime of the piece.
  • The start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed.
  • If you are in a group performance, identify yourself (e.g., saxophone player in black hat).

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  Media Arts

  Provide a link to the type of production sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Music Production: audio recordings of music you produced.
  • Director/Producer: video clips from films, television, animated works, or commercials you directed or produced.

  Media Arts Sample Instructions

  • Support material may not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application.
  • Applicants may submit up to two (2) video or audio (for Music Production) samples per application.
  • Each sample must feature one (1) performance only.
  • Compilations, trailers, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If your work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide:

  • The title of the piece.
  • The year completed.
  • The total runtime of the piece.
  • The start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed.

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  Writing & Composition

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Songwriting (musical theatre, opera, recording industry, etc.): Audio recordings of music you wrote, accompanying lyrics for each song.
  • Composition: Audio recordings of music you composed, accompanying fake sheets, scores, lead sheets, or sheet music for each composition.
  • Libretto/Playwriting/Screenwriting: Excerpts from scripts or libretti.

  Writing & Composition Sample Instructions

  • Songwriting and Composition:
    • Audio and visual support material may not exceed 10 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 10 minutes of audio or video content per application.
    • Applicants may submit up to two (2) samples per application.
    • Each sample must feature one (1) performance only.
    • Compilations, trailers, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Libretto/Playwriting/Screenwriting: Applicants must submit no less than 10 pages and no more than 20 pages of work. Reviewers will not read more than 20 pages total per application.
    • Formatting requirements:
      • Double-spacing is not required.
      • Typeface must be legible, 12-point or larger.
      • Margins must be at least one (1) inch.
      • Pages must be numbered.
      • Each page must include:
        • Title of the work.
        • Year completed.
  • Drafts, outlines, or overviews of work are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link, or send separate links for each sample.
  • If your work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • For audio/visual samples, you must also provide:
    • Total runtime of the piece.
    • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed.

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  Poetry & Prose

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Poetry: Poems you have written.
  • Prose: Excerpts from work(s) you have written.

  Poetry & Prose Sample Instructions

  • Prose: Applicants must submit no less than 10 pages and no more than 20 pages of prose representing no more than three (3) separate works. Reviewers will not read more than 20 pages of prose per application.
    • Formatting requirements
      • Double-spacing is not required.
      • Typeface must be legible, 12-point or larger.
      • Margins must be at least 1 inch.
      • Pages must be numbered.
      • Each page must include:
        • • Title of the work.
          • Year completed.
  • Poetry: Applicants must submit no less than 10 and no more than 20 poems. Each page may only contain one (1) poem. Reviewers will not read more than 20 poems per application.
    • Formatting requirements
      • Double-spacing is not required.
      • Typeface must be legible, 12-point or larger.
      • Margins must be at least 1 inch.
      • Pages must be numbered.
      • Each page must include:
        • Title of the work.
        • Year completed.
  • Drafts, outlines, or overviews of work are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If your work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.

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  Visual Art

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Visual Arts (e.g., painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, or printmaking): Images of your work.
  • Design Arts (e.g., architecture, fashion, theatrical, graphic, industrial, or interior): Images or video clips of your work.
  • Crafts (e.g., ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, plastic, or wood): Images of your work.
  • Photography: Images of your work.

  Visual Arts Sample Instructions

  • Design Arts applicants may submit either images or video clips, but may not submit both.
  • Video Clips (design arts): Applicants may submit up to two (2) video samples. Support material can not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application.
  • Images (visual arts, design arts, crafts, and photography): Applicants must submit no less than five (5) and no more than 10 high-resolution images. Reviewers will not view more than 10 images per application.
  • Compilations, trailers, montages, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link, or send separate links for each sample.
  • If the work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • Medium (e.g., fiber, wood, glass, clay, etc.).
  • Dimensions (feet/inches, pixels, size, etc.).
  • For audio/visual samples, you must also provide
    • Total runtime of the piece (for video clips).
    • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed (for video clips).

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  Spoken Word/Slam Poetry

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Spoken Word: video clips of your live performances.
  • Slam Poetry: video clips of your live performances.

  Spoken Word/Slam Poetry Sample Instructions

  • Applicants must submit no less than three (3) and no more than six (6) video samples, with each sample not to exceed 3 minutes.
  • Support material may not exceed 18 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 18 minutes of content per application.
  • Compilations, trailers, montages, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If the work is not available online, contact our Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • Total runtime of the piece.
  • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed.

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  Interdisciplinary Arts

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Installation: Images or video clips of your work.
  • Sound: Audio recordings of your work.
  • Video Art: Images or video clips of your work.
  • Computer-Generated Art: Images or video clips of your work.
  • Performance Art: Images or video clips of your work.

  Interdisciplinary Arts Sample Instructions

  • For installation, video art, computer-generated art, and performance art, applicants may submit either images or video clips but may not submit both.
  • Video and audio clips: Applicants may submit up to two (2) samples per application. Each sample must feature one (1) work only. Support material may not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application.
  • Each sample must feature one (1) work only.
  • Images: Applicants must submit no less than five (5) and no more than 10 high-resolution images. Reviewers will not view more than 10 images per application.
  • Compilations, trailers, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If the work is not available online, contact the Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • For audio/visual samples, you must also provide:
    • Total runtime of the piece (for video clips).
    • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed (for video clips).

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  Public Art (Ephemeral Or Permanent)

  Provide a link to the type of sample that applies to your discipline:

  • Visual: Images or video clips of your work.
  • Performance: Video clips of your work.
  • Sound: Video clips of your work.

  Public Art Sample Instructions

  • Visual public art applicants may submit either images or video clips but may not submit both.
  • Video clips: Applicants may submit up to two (2) samples per application. Each sample must feature one (1) work only. Support material may not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application.
  • Images: Applicants must submit no less than five (5) and no more than 10 high-resolution images. Reviewers will not view more than 10 images per application.
  • Compilations, trailers, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • Applicants may include all samples in one link or send separate links for each sample.
  • If the work is not available online, contact our Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • Total runtime of the piece (video clips only).
  • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed (video clips only).

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  Folklife and Traditional Arts

  Upload work samples that apply to your discipline:

  • Visual Arts (e.g., quilting, embroidery, sewing, beading, weaving, pottery, basketmaking, and woodcarving): Images of your work.
  • Performance (e.g., folk music, dance): Video clips of your work.
  • Oral Literature: Video clips of your work.

  Folklife/Traditional Arts Sample Instructions

  • Images (visual arts): Applicants must submit no less than five (5) and no more than 10 high-resolution images. Reviewers will not view more than 10 images per application.
  • Video Clips (performance and oral literature): Support material may not exceed 20 minutes total per application. Reviewers will not review more than 20 minutes of content per application. Applicants may submit up to two (2) video samples per application.
  • Compilations, trailers, montages, or reels are not allowed and will not be sent to reviewers.
  • If your work is only available online, contact our Grants Office at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  For each work sample, you must provide the:

  • Title of the piece.
  • Year completed.
  • For images, you must also provide the:
    • Medium (e.g., fiber, wood, glass, clay, etc.).
    • Dimensions (feet/inches, pixels, size, etc.).
  • For video clips, you must also provide:
    • Your role in the performance.
    • If you are in a group performance, identify yourself (e.g., saxophone player in black hat).
    • Total runtime of the piece.
    • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed.

• 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

  Applications go through a two-step review process.

  Step 1: Completion and Compliance

  The grants team reviews applications for completion and compliance with guidelines and application requirements. Incomplete or noncompliant applications will not move on to evaluation.

  Step 2: Evaluation

  Grant reviewers evaluate complete applications based on the published review criteria. Reviewer comments are available to applicants upon request.

  Awarding

  Award decisions are based on applicant scores and the availability of funds; award approvals are made by the SCAC Board of Commissioners. Award notification is expected within four (4) to five (5) weeks of submission.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent, if applicable) will sign a contract with the South Carolina Arts Commission. By signing, all parties agree to follow applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as outlined in the contract.

  You’ll receive an email with instructions when your contract is ready in the grants portal. Submit your completed contract—including all required signatures and documents—by the deadline shown in the system. Complete any other assigned follow-up items by their due dates as well.

  • Open a sample contract.
  • Any changes to your project must be preapproved, in writing, by SCAC. To request a change, email grants@arts.sc.gov.
  • 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 your final report.

  SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.

  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 Meet Grant Requirements

  If you fail to meet the grant requirements, SCAC may take any combination of the following actions:

  • Cancel your grant contract. If cancelled, SCAC is no longer obligated to fulfill the contract, and you must repay any grant funds already received in full.
  • Charge a 10% penalty on your current grant award.
  • Charge a 15% penalty on your next grant award.
  • Withhold future grant awards until the issue(s) is resolved.

  Before taking action, SCAC will make a good-faith effort to contact you to reach a resolution. See the “Delinquent Grantee Communication Policy” below.

  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.