District Arts Support Grants

About This Grant

This grant supports school districts committed to implementing standards-based arts curricula and making the arts an integral part of the basic curriculum and daily classroom instruction.

For this grant program,

• “Standards” refers to South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency.
• Arts disciplines are creative writing, dance, music, theatre, media arts, and visual art.
• Applicants may submit only one (1) application per deadline.

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.

• Who Can Get This Grant

  1. The applicant must be a school district in South Carolina.
  2. The applicant district must have a school board-approved Three-Year District Arts Education Strategic Plan for the inclusion of all six (6) arts disciplines in their school day curriculum. The three-year plan should project through the proposed two-year grant cycle or longer, meaning it must include at least the next two school years, and either the preceding or following school year.
  3. The applicant district must have a designated district arts coordinator with appropriate experience in the six (6) arts disciplines, who has responsibility for arts curricula and professional learning of district arts educators. The district arts coordinator must work at least part-time exclusively at the district level.
     Please note: A classroom teacher or other school-based employee with the additional title of district arts coordinator would not fulfill the arts coordinator requirement unless they have a reduced classroom-load to work part-time at the district level.

  4. 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

  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...

  All grant activities must be rooted in the district’s Arts Education Strategic Plan. Eligible expense categories for this grant are limited to the following:

  • Professional development, consultancies, and comprehensive planning related to arts education.
  • Subgranting to arts teachers.
  • Supplies, materials, equipment for arts classrooms.
  • Residencies and teaching artists.
  • Performances and field trips.
  • District-wide arts showcases and competitions.

  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.

  If You Are Hiring Artists or Teaching Artists

  All grant activities that take place in schools (whether during the school day, summer, or after school) must be conducted by either:

  • SC Arts Directory organizations (this directory status covers individual staff members of the listed organization) OR
  • SC Arts Directory artists, teaching artists, or creative arts therapists

  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.

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

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  • Food, beverages, alcohol, catering services.
  • Clothing (not including costumes for theatre projects).
  • Band uniforms.
  • Stipends or awards for students (including gift cards).

  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 lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation.
  • Activities that do not comply with the resolution passed by the S.C. Arts Commission on August 20, 2026.
    • Aug. 20, 2026 Resolution of the S.C. Arts Commission.
    • Contract Guidance for Implementation of Resolution.

  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

  Priority will be given to school districts that meet the following criteria:

  • Less than 50% of schools comprising the district are FY26 ABC schools that receive ABC grant funding. Additional priority will be given to school districts that have no FY26 ABC grant recipients within the district.

  • 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.

• Deadlines & Grant Period

  Deadlines

  FY27 District Arts Support grantees and new applicants:

  • Part One: Letter of Intent to Apply – December 17, 2026
  • Part Two: Full Grant Application (By Invitation Only) – February 25, 2027

  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

  July 1, 2027–May 1, 2028 and July 1, 2028–May 1, 2029

  Grants are awarded on a two-year cycle of approval. Separate contracts will be issued each year.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $25,000 per year

  Funding Type

  Expense reimbursement.

  Matching Requirements

  2:1 (grantee:SCAC)

  Each $1 awarded must be matched with a $2 cash investment by the district towards the district arts budget. No in-kind expenses are allowed as part of the applicant’s match in this category.

  • Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.
  • Federal funding 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.

• 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.

  FY28 District Arts Support Grant Application Evaluation Rubric
  Capacity - Arts Budget – 14% of Total Score
  Balanced Budget	0-1 points: The budget is not balanced and/or is not designated for arts programming.	2-4 points: The budget is balanced but is minimally designated for arts programming.	5-6 points: The budget is balanced and appropriately designated for arts programming.	7-8 points: The budget is clear, balanced and appropriately designated for arts programming.
  Budget - Support for the Arts	0 points: The district’s arts budget does not demonstrate a capacity or commitment to supporting the growth of the arts in the district.	1-2 points: The district’s arts budget somewhat demonstrates a current capacity and commitment to supporting the growth of the arts, and outlines the district’s plan for growth.	3-4 points: The district’s arts budget demonstrates capacity and commitment to supporting the growth of the arts in the district.	5-6 points: The district’s arts budget demonstrates capacity and strong commitment to supporting the growth of the arts in the district.
  Teachers – 6% of Total Score
  Qualified Teacher Rating	0 points: No teaching staff have appropriate qualifications to teach the arts disciplines to which they are assigned.	1-2 points: Few teaching staff have appropriate qualifications to teach the arts disciplines to which they are assigned.	3-4 points: Most teaching staff have appropriate qualifications to teach the arts disciplines to which they are assigned.	5-6 points: All teaching staff have appropriate qualifications to teach the arts disciplines to which they are assigned.
  Curriculum – 26% of Total Score
  Curriculum Guide	0 points: There is no district-level curriculum guide for implementing state-approved achievement standards in the visual and performing arts.		2 points: There is a district-level curriculum guide for implementing state-approved achievement standards in the visual and performing arts.
  Lesson Plans	0-1 points: Lesson plans and lesson plan reflections provide little to no evidence of thoughtful, quality classroom instruction.	2-4 points: Lesson plans and lesson plan reflections somewhat show evidence of thoughtful, quality classroom instruction.	5-7 points: Lesson plans and lesson plan reflections provide evidence of thoughtful, quality classroom instruction.	8-10 points: Lesson plans and lesson plan reflections provide clear, strong evidence of thoughtful, quality classroom instruction.
  Time Allotted to Arts Courses	0-1 points: The district has allotted little to no time to arts courses throughout the district.	2 points: The district has allotted some time to arts courses throughout the district.	3-4 points: The district has allotted consistent time to arts courses throughout the district.	5-6 points: The district has allotted consistent and substantial time to arts courses throughout the district.
  Beyond School Day	0-1 points: The district provides little to no arts programming (and does not plan to provide) beyond the school day throughout the district.	2 points: The district provides some arts programming beyond the school day at a few schools throughout the district.	3 points: The district provides strong arts programming beyond the school day at most schools throughout the district.	4 points: The district provides a robust schedule of arts programming beyond the school day at all schools throughout the district.
  Measuring Student Outcomes	0-1 points: The district has little to no plan to measure the impact of arts learning on student outcomes according to the Profile of the SC Graduate.	2 points: The district somewhat measures the impact of arts learning on outcomes according to the Profile of the SC Graduate.	3 points: The district measures the impact of arts learning on student outcomes according to the Profile of the SC Graduate.	4 points: The district deeply and thoroughly measures the impact of arts learning on student outcomes according to the Profile of the SC Graduate.
  Arts Strategic Plan – 26% of Total Score
  Strategic Plan Process	0-1 points: The strategic planning process provides little to no space for input from stakeholders and is not communicated across the district.	2 points: The strategic planning process provides some space for input from a variety of stakeholders and is minimally communicated across the district.	3 points: The strategic planning process provides space for input from a variety of stakeholders and is communicated across the district.	4-5 points: The strategic planning process provides ample space for input from a wide variety of stakeholders and is clearly and comprehensively communicated across the district.
  Plan Content	0-1 points: The district arts strategic plan is not up to date (extends through the entire two-year grant period), and/or is missing critical information such as: objectives, strategies, and parties accountable for the development and implementation of all activities.	2-4 points: The district arts strategic plan is up to date (extends through the entire two-year grant period) but is missing critical information such as: objectives, strategies, and parties accountable for the development and implementation of all activities.	5-7 points: The district arts strategic plan is up to date (extends through the entire two-year grant period), and includes some objectives, strategies, and parties accountable for the development and implementation of all activities.	8-10 points: The district arts strategic plan is up to date (extends through the entire two-year grant period), and includes clear objectives, strategies, and parties accountable for the development and implementation of all activities.
  Plan Evaluation	0 points: There is little to no plan for regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the district arts strategic plan, and there is little to no evidence that lessons learned from the evaluation have informed and/or will inform adjustments to the plan.	1-2 points: There is a plan for some evaluation of the effectiveness of the district arts strategic plan, and there is minimal evidence that lessons learned from the evaluation have informed and/or will inform adjustments to the plan.	3-4 points: There is a plan for regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the district arts strategic plan, and there is evidence that lessons learned from the evaluation have informed and/or will inform adjustments to the plan.	5-6 points: There is a plan for regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the district arts strategic plan, and there is strong, clear evidence that lessons learned from the evaluation have informed and/or will inform adjustments to the plan.
  Letters of Support	0-1 points: There is very little to no evidence of administrative and community support for the District Arts Support Grant Application. (Does not include letters from Superintendent, School Principal, Arts Teacher and Community Stakeholder.)	2 points: There is some evidence of administrative and community support for the District Arts Support Grant Application. (Might not include letters from Superintendent, School Principal, Arts Teacher and Community Stakeholder.)	3 points: There is evidence of administrative and community support for the District Arts Support Grant Application. (Includes letters from Superintendent, School Principal, Arts Teacher and Community Stakeholder.)	4-5 points: There is strong evidence of administrative and community support for the District Arts Support Grant Application. (Includes letters from Superintendent, School Principal, Arts Teacher and Community Stakeholder.)
  District Policies – 28% of Total Score
  Arts Teacher Meetings	0-2 points: There are little to no scheduled meetings among arts teachers.	3-5 points: There are some scheduled meetings among arts teachers.	6-7 points: There are regularly scheduled meetings among arts teachers.	8-10 points: There are frequent, regularly scheduled meetings among arts teachers to collaborate.
  Professional Arts Learning	0-1 points: Arts teachers receive little to no relevant arts-specific professional learning opportunities.	2-4 points: Arts teachers receive some relevant arts-specific professional learning opportunities.	5-6 points: Arts teachers receive engaging and relevant arts-specific professional learning opportunities.	7-8 points: Arts teachers receive frequent engaging and relevant arts-specific professional learning opportunities.
  Professional Learning Impact	0-2 points: Professional learning reflection videos provide little to no indication that district-level professional learning positively impacts student outcomes.	3-5 points: Professional learning reflection videos somewhat indicate that district-level professional learning positively impacts student outcomes.	6-7 points: Professional learning reflection videos indicate that district-level professional learning positively impacts student outcomes.	8-10 points: Professional learning reflection videos clearly indicate that district-level professional learning positively impacts student outcomes.

  Printer-friendly rubric.

How to Apply

To apply for this grant, you must submit a Letter of Intent to Apply through the grants portal. Please upload your letter of intent on district letterhead.

Please include the following in your Letter of Intent to Apply:

• Statement of intent to apply.
• District demographic overview (number of students in district, % of students in poverty, racial and ethnic breakdown).
• Number of arts teachers in the district.
• Arts disciplines offered to students (creative writing, dance, music, theatre, media arts, and visual art).
• A brief overview of the role of the District Arts Coordinator, including designated time for the position (e.g., half-time, full-time)
• Has the district developed and begun to implement a comprehensive 3-to-5-year District Arts Strategic Plan? If not, will it be in place and board-approved by Fall 2027?
• Any additional information you feel is important for us to know about your district prior to the full grant application.

If the program director determines that your intended proposal meets the guideline requirements, you will receive an invitation and instructions for starting your grant application. For questions about this process, please contact the program director.

• Applications are accepted through our grants portal, 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.

• As part of your application, you will upload lesson plans and provide links to lesson plan reflection videos and professional development impact videos. We strongly encourage you to prepare these materials, following the instructions provided here, before you visit the grants portal to begin your application.

• 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.

• Lesson Plans & Reflection Videos

  To demonstrate how visual and performing arts standards at the district level inform and permeate classroom instruction, please select three (3) teachers to share a lesson plan and reflection video.

  Lesson Plan Requirements

  • Unless the size of your district does not allow it, the teachers should represent three (3) different schools.
  • Lesson plans should draw from at least two (2) different grade bands (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12) and include at least two (2) different arts disciplines.
  • We do not require a specific lesson plan format; however, lesson plans should indicate the South Carolina 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency being addressed and, if applicable, should be aligned with the district’s scope and sequence or curriculum guide.
  • Uploaded files may be .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.

  Lesson Plan Reflection Video Requirements

  • Each reflection video should respond to the following prompts in roughly 3-5 minutes:
    • Summarize the lesson objective and activities.
    • Explain how the lesson fits into the larger scope and sequence or curriculum guide (and/or other district-wide arts education expectations or initiatives, if applicable).
    • Answer the question: What reflections on this lesson would you share with other teachers in your district? For example, did a particular activity work well to drive student engagement or make a complex skill more manageable for students? Is there a realization you had, or a change you would hope to implement the next time you teach the lesson?
  • Reflection videos will never be made public and are not intended to be high-stress or masterfully produced. A cell phone video in selfie mode or a Zoom/Google Classroom recording is more than enough.
  • You will be asked to provide a URL/ link to a website where each video can be viewed.
    • Social media sites, YouTube, etc. are acceptable, as long as the video can be accessed without login credentials for that platform. Please make sure any support materials shared via link can be accessed by SCAC staff and review panelists. Do not include social media or websites for which a password or other access information is required. For example: If you link to a YouTube video, be sure the privacy setting is “Unlisted” (which just requires the URL) instead of “Private” (which would require a personal invitation for each panelist).

• Professional Development Impact Videos

  Select two (2) professional development participants to submit brief videos reflecting on arts-based professional development that your district provides.

  Professional Development Impact Video Requirements

  • Each video should answer the following prompt in roughly three to five minutes: Please describe a district-provided arts-based professional development opportunity that you participated in. How has this professional development impacted or informed your teaching?
  • One video should come from an elementary school teacher and one from a middle/high school teacher.
  • Unless impossible due to the size of your district, these teachers should not be the same teachers who submitted lesson plans for this application.
  • Videos will never be made public and are not intended to be high-stress or masterfully produced. A cell phone video in selfie mode or a Zoom/ Google Classroom recording is more than enough.
  • You will be asked to provide a URL/ link to a website where each video can be viewed.
    • Social media sites, YouTube, etc. are acceptable, as long as the video can be accessed without login credentials for that platform. Please make sure any support materials shared via link can be accessed by SCAC staff and review panelists. Do not include social media or websites for which a password or other access information is required. For example: If you link to a YouTube video, be sure the privacy setting is “Unlisted” (which just requires the URL) instead of “Private” (which would require a personal invitation for each panelist).

• 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.

   

• Starting Your Application

  Part One: Letter of Intent

  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 “FY27 Education – District Arts Support” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

  Part Two: Full Grant Application

  Based on review of the submitted letters of intent, selected applicants will be invited to develop their proposal into a full grant application. Only those invited to proceed to Part Two will be eligible for District Arts Support funding.

After You Apply

• Review Process

  Part One: Letter of Intent to Apply

  Step 1: Completion and Compliance

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

  Step 2: Evaluation

  Grant reviewers will evaluate the intent to apply based on the published review criteria and recommend applications to be invited to develop a full grant application.

  Part Two: Full Grant Application

  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 notifications are expected after the June 2027 board meeting, pending completion of the state budget process.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent, 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.

  • Any changes to your project must be preapproved, in writing, by SCAC. To request a change, email grants@arts.sc.gov.
  • Open a sample contract.
    • Additional information on grantmaking and ideology.
  • 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. This means any expenses must be financed up front by the grantee and/or a cooperating entity.

  An accurate pay request, listing only expenses allowable under the program guidelines for the certified time period, must be submitted in order to receive payment for the grant award.

  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.

  This grant is awarded on a two-year cycle, but grantees are required to file a final report at the end of each annual grant period. Submission of your annual final report for year one of the two-year cycle will allow us to assess long-term progress and generate the next year’s 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.