Purpose
To recognize and reward the artistic achievements of South Carolina's exceptional individual artists
Who's Eligible
Most practicing individual artists residing in S.C.
Funding
$10,000
Matching Requirement
None
These fellowships recognize and reward the artistic achievements of South Carolina’s exceptional individual artists. Fellowship awards are made through a highly competitive process and are based on artistic merit, achievements, and commitment to discipline. The fellowship awards bring recognition that may open doors to other resources and employment opportunities.
Please Note
Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.
For your burning questions about this year’s Individual Artist Fellowships, please register for our FY25 Fellowships Applicant Coaching Call, scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 3 p.m.
This coaching call covers best practices for completing your application for this program. Open to artists in Poetry; Spoken word/Slam poetry; Choreography & Directing (film, theatre, opera); Performance: dance, music, or acting (film or theatre); and Folklife and Traditional Arts (quilting, embroidery, sewing, beading, weaving, pottery, basketmaking, woodcarving, folk music, dance, or oral literature).
Any activities carried out within this award must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.
There are no specified priority areas for this grant category.
January 16, 2024
Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, please be aware that staff members will not be available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m. that day.
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
$10,000 per fellowship
There are no restrictions on the use of fellowship funds.
SCAC artist grant awards are considered taxable income.None
Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?
The SCAC recommends using the specified FY25 Individual Artist Fellowships Grant Evaluation Rubric as a guide when writing your application. Panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within that rubric.
Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses the Foundant platform.
New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQ, before you begin working in the system.
You may apply for more than one fellowship in the same year, but you must complete all application steps for each category and submit one application at a time.
The applicant must have an active account in our Grants Portal.
As part of your fellowship application, you will be required to upload
Specific requirements for these uploads are outlined in these guidelines. You may need to create new electronic files (documents, video files, etc.) to submit materials that meet the length, content, formatting, and other specifications.
Poetry
Spoken word/Slam poetry
Applicants must submit three (3) three-minute viewing samples and may submit up to six (6) three-minute samples (not to exceed 18 minutes combined) of original spoken word/slam poetry.
Choreography & Directing (film, theatre, opera)
Applicants must submit two (2) viewing samples (not to exceed 20 minutes combined)
Performance (dance, music, or acting (film or theatre))
Applicants must submit two (2) viewing samples (not to exceed 20 minutes combined)
Folklife and Traditional Arts
If a work sample is not available on the web via a link, please contact the Grants Team (803.734.8695 | grants@arts.sc.gov).
Available only to those applying within Folklife & Traditional Arts
If you do not have a resume, you may instead submit a bio that gives an overview of your relevant experience and achievements. Be sure to include contextual information about your experiences and achievements, e.g., when and where they took place, and with what groups, organizations, communities, and or individuals. Specifically, include the following:
The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. Out-of-state panelists will evaluate the applications based on the published review criteria. An applicant’s panel comments are available to them upon request. Staff will then develop funding recommendations, based on these evaluations and the availability of funds. Recommendations will be presented to the board of commissioners, which makes final award decisions. Award notification is expected after the June 2024 board meeting, pending completion of the state budget process.
Please note:
Upon notification of the award, fellowship winners will be asked to immediately forward a photograph to be used for promotional purposes.
As a fellowship recipient, you will enter into a contractual agreement with the SCAC, and you must comply with all requirements stated in those contract materials. You will receive notification and instructions when your contract is available in our grants portal. You must submit your completed contract packet, including signatures and other documentation as instructed, by the date indicated in the system. You must also complete all other assigned follow-ups by the due date given.
Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.
Payment of the award will be released upon receipt and approval of a completed contract packet. Fellows may choose to receive their full award in one payment, or divided into two payments (one per calendar year).
We also highly recommend a visit to our Grants Coaching webpage, for
Missed a group call or session? Look for the video link to access a recording of that presentation.