Emerging Artist Grants

About This Grant

This grant is designed to assist emerging artists in South Carolina through project grant funding as well as mentorship and professional support during the grant period.

The combination of funding and mentorship is intended to:

• Deepen artistic practice.
• Encourage career growth, relevance, and sustainability.
• Provide professional development and opportunities for collaboration.

Previous recipients of this grant are ineligible to apply. Please visit the Emerging Artist Alumni grant guidelines instead.

Learn more about the program and see current/recent emerging artists here.

Terms

“Emerging artists” are defined as those who are at an early stage in their career development (or artists who are starting their careers in a new discipline) and have been active for one to five years.

• Age is not a factor in determining an emerging artist.
• An “active” or “practicing” artist is one who is creating work regularly (i.e., more than a few times a year).

The term “emerging” refers to professional accomplishments and recognition, not to stylistic evolution.

• An emerging artist is expected to have a limited performing, publishing, or exhibition record.
• Emerging artists may demonstrate potential in their practice through risk-taking and pushing their work in dynamic ways.

A “new” discipline must be substantially different from the artist’s previous area of focus. See examples below:

• A poet of 20 years has recently accomplished their first year working in music production. The applicant is eligible to apply in the category of music production.
• An actor has been working in film for 10 years but, in the last two years, they have worked as a screenwriter. The applicant is eligible to apply under the category of media arts: screenwriting.
• A painter with many years of experience who switched from painting to drawing three years ago. The applicant is ineligible because painting and drawing are not substantially different artistic disciplines.

Grant Periods

This grant is awarded twice per fiscal year. Applications are accepted in:

• Late summer for January-June projects.
• Early spring for July-December projects.

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

  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

  The applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Be a practicing individual artist, not an ensemble or group, 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 an artist starting their career, or a new discipline, 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.

  Who Cannot Get This Grant

  • Previous recipients of this grant.
    • Please visit the Emerging Artist Alumni grant guidelines instead.
  • 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...

  The Emerging Artist grant is a project-based grant. Grant funds must be used for actual project costs, defined as consumable and non-consumable items needed to complete the proposed project.

  Projects may be multidisciplinary, but the artist’s project must align with their selected, primary discipline or subdiscipline (if applicable). The proposed project must include artwork creation.

  Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

  • Supplies and materials (e.g., sheet music, art supplies, scripts, costumes).
  • 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).

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  • Operating support (for an individual artistic business or establishment of an organization by an individual).
  • Professional development (e.g., art instruction, attending a conference or training).
  • Living expenses incurred during the project.
  • Salary, honorarium, or stipend for grantee.
  • Food, beverages, alcohol, or catering services.

  If, based on this information, you are uncertain if a purchase meets the qualifications for Emerging Artist grant funding, please contact us before applying.

  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

  September 24, 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

  January 1 – June 30, 2027

  • Project activities must be completed by May 31, 2027 to allow time to prepare the required final report.
  • Program activities (e.g., mentorship) will occur through June 2027.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $1,800

  SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.

  Funding Type

  Reimbursement. Expenses must be paid for upfront by the grantee.

  Matching Requirements

  None

• Other Things to Know

  Grant-Specific Requirements

  Grantees must attend virtual monthly meetings during the grant period to build relationships with one another, SCAC program staff, and arts professionals.

  • Participate in six (6) monthly, one-hour Emerging Artist cohort/group virtual meetings (January-June 2027) with the other EA grantees and the artist development manager. The meetings will occur on a mutually agreed-upon date and time, determined by the manager and artists.
  • Participate in five (5) monthly, one-hour one-on-one virtual meetings (January-June 2027) with the artist development manager, setting goals and providing feedback on progress of the project. The meetings will occur on a mutually agreed-upon date and time, determined by the manager and artist. An additional meeting may be scheduled for June, as needed.
  • Participate in at least one (1) virtual professional development/learning activity via CreativeStudy.com (January-June 2027).

  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.

• 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 reviewers will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

  FY27 (Jan-June Projects) Emerging Artist Grant Application Evaluation Rubric
  Project Details – 25% of Total Score
  Project Goals	0-1 points: There is little to no information about the project and its goals.	2-4 points: The project is described but lacks clarity or sufficient detail, and goals are somewhat defined but may be difficult to accomplish within the start and end dates.	5-7 points: The project is clearly described and goals are defined and achievable within the start and end dates.	8-10 points: The project is clearly described with specific details, and goals are precisely defined and very achievable within the start and end dates.
  Expected Outcomes	0-1 points: The artistic outcomes are missing or do not align with the project goals.	2-4 points: The artistic outcomes are unclear and/or partially aligned with the project goals.	5-7 points: The artistic outcomes are stated and aligned with the project goals.	8-10 points: The artistic outcomes are clearly stated and strongly aligned with the project goals.
  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 and Mentorship Impact – 20% of Total Score
  Project Benefit to Artistic Development	0-1 points: The applicant has not shown/limitedly shown how the project will be beneficial to the development of their artistic career.	2-4 points: The applicant has somewhat shown how the project will be beneficial to the development of their artistic career.	5-7 points: The applicant has shown how the project will be beneficial to the development of their artistic career.	8-10 points: The applicant has clearly shown how the project will be strongly beneficial to the development of their artistic career.
  Benefit of Mentorship	0-1 points: The applicant has not connected/limitedly connected the mentorship opportunity to the accomplishment of their artistic career goals or their support as an emerging artist.	2-4 points: The applicant has somewhat connected the mentorship opportunity to the accomplishment of their artistic career goals and support as an emerging artist.	5-7 points: The applicant has connected the mentorship opportunity to the accomplishment of their artistic career goals and support as an emerging artist.	8-10 points: The applicant has strongly connected the mentorship opportunity to the accomplishment of their artistic career goals and support as an emerging artist.
  Work Samples – 20% of Total Score
  Originality	0-1 points: Work samples show limited originality; work appears derivative.	2-4 points: Work samples display some originality and little distinction.	5-7 points: Work samples display strong originality and solid distinction.	8-10 points: Work samples demonstrate exceptional originality; work is highly distinctive.
  Representation	0-1 points: Work samples are not representative or limitedly representative of the artistic discipline proposed in the project.	2-4 points: Work samples are somewhat representative of the artistic discipline proposed in the project.	5-7 points: Work samples are representative of the artistic discipline proposed in the project.	8-10 points: Work samples are highly representative of the artistic discipline proposed in the project.
  Letter of Recommendation – 10% of Total Score
  Letter Date	0 points: The letter of recommendation is not dated OR not written in the past two years.		2 points: The letter of recommendation is dated within the past two years.
  Potential	0-1 points: The letter of recommendation does not address or limitedly addresses the applicant’s artistic potential as a SCAC Emerging Artist grantee.	2-3 points: The letter of recommendation partially addresses the applicant’s artistic potential as a SCAC Emerging Artist grantee.	4-6 points: The letter of recommendation addresses the applicant’s artistic potential as a SCAC Emerging Artist grantee.	7-8 points: The letter of recommendation directly addresses the applicant’s strong artistic potential as a SCAC Emerging Artist grantee.
  Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV) – 10% of Total Score
  Relevance	0 points: The résumé or CV does not align with the applicant's project discipline.		5 points: The résumé or CV aligns with the applicant's project discipline.
  Experience	0 points: The résumé or CV shows less than 1 year or more than 5 years of professional development, sources of training, or experience within the applicant's project discipline.		5 points: The résumé or CV shows 1-5 years of professional development, sources of training, or experience within the applicant's project discipline.
  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 fully itemized.	5 points: The budget is extremely detailed with all expenses and income items itemized.
  Budget Details	0-1 points: Budget contains little to no realistic details on how the funds will be used.	2-4 points: Budget contains some realistic details on how the funds will be used.	5-7 points: Budget contains realistic and specific details on how the funds will be used.	8-10 points: Budget contains extremely realistic and very specific details on how the funds will be used.

  Printer-friendly 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: Work Samples

  All Disciplines

  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 multidisciplinary, 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 created within the last five (5) years (after Jan. 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 at grants@arts.sc.gov.

  Work Sample Limits

  Reviewers will only review the maximum number of samples allowed in the guidelines. 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.

• Supplemental Information: Support Materials

  In addition to samples of your artistic work, applications must include the following.

  Letter of Recommendation

  A professional letter of recommendation must address the applicant’s artistic potential. This letter should be from former instructors, professional artists, etc.

  All letters of recommendation must meet the following criteria:

  1. The letter must address your artistic potential as an SCAC Emerging Artist grantee.
  2. The letter must be dated and written within the past (2) years.
  3. Maximum two (2) pages; additional pages will not be read by reviewers.
  4. The letter must use the following formatting:
     1. Typeface must be legible, 12-point or larger. Font type is limited to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
     2. Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt.

  Résumé or Curriculum vitae (CV)

  An artist résumé or CV should include art-based activities such as, but not limited to, sources of training, certifications, workshops (attended or conducted), exhibitions, performances, gallery shows, etc., and must include dates for each activity stated.

  1. The résumé or CV must align with the project’s discipline.
  2. Maximum three (3) pages; additional pages will not be read by reviewers.
  3. The résumé or CV must use the following formatting:
     1. Typeface must be legible, 12-point or larger.
     2. Font type is limited to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
     3. Acceptable file types: .doc/.docx, .pdf, .rtf, .txt.

• 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 “Emerging Artist Grants” 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 notifications are expected following the October 2027 board meeting.

  In the case of a tied evaluation score for two or more qualifying applications, the award will go to the applicant with the highest score in the “Project Details” section.

  The program director will communicate with the grantee prior to the start of the grant term.

• 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

  Payments are reimbursement-based, meaning expenses must be financed upfront by the grantee. Payments will be issued as reimbursements upon submission and approval of required documentation.

  Grantees may request interim payments of up to 80% of the total grant award, contingent on the submission of receipts for allowable expenses and the fulfillment of program requirements. The remaining grant award will be disbursed only after the submission and approval of the final report.

  Final Report Requirement

  ALL GRANTEES are required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date is stated in the grant contract.

  Failure to 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.