Festivals Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

To provide support for a broad range of arts activities at festivals* that take place in—and have an impact on—S.C. communities, increasing opportunities for public engagement and participation in arts and culture.

*A festival is a day or period of celebration or gathering of people that:

• Happens in a condensed period of time (i.e., an annual celebration or anniversary or an organized series of concerts, plays, movies, or performances held in the same place).
• Has an easily identifiable or unifying theme or specified focus.

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.

• Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be
     • a unit of state or local 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.
       4. AND NOT receiving General Operating Support or Operating Support for Small Organizations grants from the S.C. Arts Commission within the same fiscal year.

  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.

  3. Individual artists and colleges and universities are ineligible to apply.
  4. 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.

  If you are planning to apply through a nonprofit foundation, please contact the Grants Team (803.734.8695 | grants@arts.sc.gov) before applying.

  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.

• Restrictions

  • The festival cannot span the duration of more than two (2) consecutive weekends (no more than 14 consecutive days).
  • Seasonal series of presented works, as well as freestanding installations, productions or exhibitions, are ineligible activities for this program.
  • Applicants may submit only one (1) application per deadline.

  Requirements

  • The festival must be held in South Carolina.
  • The festival must have identifiable arts activities (visual, media, performing, literary, and/or folk and traditional arts).
  • The festival must compensate visual, media, performing, literary, and/or folk and traditional artists.
  • The festival must be open to the public and include some aspect of free arts programming.

• Use of Funds

  Eligible expenses

  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Arts programming, temporary art installations/exhibitions, commissions, or licensing fees for original works.
  • Artistic, administrative, technical, marketing salary support and/or contractual fees paid to artists, musicians, curators, programmers, and/or arts presenters/performers including travel and lodging.
  • Event production costs for equipment/venue rentals and operation; sound, lighting, stage rigging, visual/digital components, and insurance for the arts programming only.
  • Marketing including but not limited to graphic design services, advertising space, digital/print promotional materials, website, social media, printing, or publications.
  • Items or services ensuring program accessibility as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which include captioning, translation, visual enhancements, interpreters, and listening guides.
  • Festival activities can include juried processes (e.g., visual or performing arts competitions, exhibitions or juried shows).

  Ineligible expenses

  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Non-arts activities.
  • Food and beverages, including alcohol.
  • Festivals organized for or by political parties.
  • Trade fairs, events of a commercial nature, and consumer shows.
  • Events that are produced solely as fundraisers, or that contribute to endowments.
  • Organization’s season or a seasonal series of presented or produced programs.
  • Competitions and award ceremonies.
  • Cash prizes, purchases/awards, plaques.
  • Re-granting.
  • Sports and recreation activities and related events.
  • Scholarship programs, pageants, conferences, symposiums, standalone award ceremonies, seminars, showcases or recitals for individual schools— including fairs, bazaars, fetes, or open house events.
  • Events that are restricted to private or exclusive participation (by invitation and/or purchase requirements that exceed the cost of a typical, standard ticket to an event/performance).
  • Organizations applying through a fiscal agent or fiscal receiver can not use grant funds to cover indirect, administrative, or overhead costs to the fiscal agent/receiver.

  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.

• Additional Requirements of This Grant

  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.

• Priority

  Special consideration will be given to festivals in underserved communities; those communities in which people lack arts programs, services, or resources due to geography, economic conditions, cultural background, socio-political circumstances, disability, age or other demonstrable factors. The term “community” can refer to a group of people with a common heritage or characteristics, whether they live in the same location or not.

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

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Lee
  • Marlboro
  • Saluda
  • Union
  • Williamsburg

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  April 23, 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

  August 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $7,500

  Funding type

  Reimbursement

  Matching Requirements

  1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

  • Up to 50% of the grantee’s match may be through an in-kind donation of materials and/or contracted services.
  • An example of “in-kind” is a contracted fee that is waived or discounted as a donation to your project.
  • Another SCAC grant and/or federal funds may not be used to match your award.

• 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 Festivals Grant Application Evaluation Rubric
  Project Details – 30% of Total Score
  Festival History OR Festival Improvements	0 points: The applicant did not describe the history of the festival. OR, the returning applicant has no plans to grow or improve their festival from previous years.	1-2 points: The applicant provided minimal or general information on the history of the festival and reasoning for its creation. OR, the returning applicant has vague or minimal plans to grow or improve the festival. Previously collected data will not inform their improvements.	3-4 points: The applicant provided a thorough history or provided context for why the festival was created. They included relevant information such as key players, historical or community significance, and previous challenges and successes. OR, the returning applicant has some plans to grow and improve their festival from previous years. The growth or improvements are based on data collected in previous years.	5 points: The applicant provided an extremely detailed history or provided in-depth context for why the festival was created. They included relevant information such as key players, historical or community significance, previous challenges and successes, and relevant data points about their community and/or festival. OR, the returning applicant has large, but reasonable plans to grow and improve their festival from previous years. The growth or improvements are based on data collected in previous years.
  Festival Purpose and Goals	0-2 points: The festival's overall purpose is vague. There are no specific goals or outcomes.	3-4 points: The festival has a general purpose. The goals and outcomes listed are achievable but shallow.	5-7 points: There is a clear and specific purpose for the festival. The outcomes are deliberate, achievable, and relevant to the festival's overall purpose and goals.	8-10 points: The festival's purpose and goals are very thorough and highly attainable. The purpose of the festival is highly defined and deeply relevant to the community. Each outcome is deliberate, achievable, and shows measurable impact.
  Activity Details	0-3 points: The arts activities are irrelevant to or will not enhance the purpose and goals of the festival. The locations and/or timeframe of the activities are outside of the festival's scope.	4-7 points: Some of the festival's arts activities help to enhance or uplift the purpose and goals of the festival. Locations and timeframes are aligned with those of the festival.	8-11 points: Arts activities strongly align with the festival's purpose and goals. They enhance the festival and directly relate to the festival's outcomes. Locations and timeframes are aligned with those of the festival.	12-15 points: The festival is deeply rooted in art and arts activities. Each art activity correlates to a specific goal and outcome. Locations and timeframes are strongly aligned with those of the festival.
  Project Implementation – 35% of Total Score
  Administrative Personnel	0-1 points: Administrative personnel show minimal or indirect experience related to the project area. Necessary leadership, relevant skills, or accomplishments that demonstrate readiness to manage the proposed project are limited or nonexistent.	2-3 points: Administrative personnel show some relevant experience, training, or roles, but leadership and/or expertise appears unrelated to the proposed project.	4 points: Administrative personnel are qualified to deliver the program(s) and lead the project. Qualifications show clear, relevant experience and skills needed for the proposed project. Bios reflect successful leadership or management in similar or related contexts.	5 points: Administrative personnel are highly qualified to deliver the program(s) and lead the project. Information provided reflects significant and relevant expertise, with a strong record of leadership, innovation, and experience that positions them to lead the project with depth and vision.
  Artistic Personnel	0-3 points: Artistic personnel show minimal or no artistic experience. There is limited evidence of relevant artistic practice.	4-6 points: Most artistic personnel show an active artistic practice with some relevant public experience. They demonstrate an emerging artistic practice.	4 points: Artistic personnel are qualified to deliver the program(s) and lead the project. They show an active artistic practice and relevant experience working in the public sphere. They demonstrate a strong artistic practice.	9-10 points: Artistic personnel are highly qualified to deliver the program. Information provided reflects deep artistic expertise. They demonstrate an established record of artistic vision, community engagement, and professionalism.
  Project Partners	0-1 points: There is no evidence of cooperative relationships and support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses.	2-3 points: There is minimal evidence of cooperative relationships and limited, surface-level support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses.	4 points: There is evidence of cooperative relationships and support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses. Project partners are active participants and key decision makers.	5 points: There is strong evidence of cooperative relationships and support from other artists and community organizations and/or businesses. Project partners are highly involved in the festival through idea sharing, decision making, and responsibility.
  Marketing Strategy	0-5 points: The marketing efforts are not well planned or the efforts are insufficient in relation to the size and scope of the festival.	6-12 points: The marketing efforts are minimally planned with a limited description of how they will promote the festival to their intended audience. Most efforts are achievable and in alignment with the size and scope of the festival.	13-14 points: The marketing efforts are well planned with a description of how they will promote the festival to their intended audience. Efforts are achievable and in alignment with the size and scope of the festival.	15 points: The marketing efforts are extremely well planned with a detailed description of how they will promote the festival to their intended audience. Efforts are clearly achievable and in strong alignment with the size and scope of the festival.
  Festival Impact – 15% of Total Score
  Festival Importance:	0 points: The festival has unclear importance to the community it serves. It does not specifically affect the community on a local level.	1 point: The festival has vague importance to the community. Positive effects are present, but not specific to the community on a local level.	2 points: The festival is highly important to the community. It has direct and intentional positive effects on the specific community on a local level.	3 points: The festival is deeply important to and connected to the community. The festival positively affects its communities in myriad ways that are highly localized and intentional.
  Engagement	0-1 points: There is no plan for engagement with the local community beyond marketing and advertising.	2-3 points: There is vague or limited engagement with the local community. The festival will use arts-based activities to connect with the public mostly as spectators or in non-participatory ways.	4 points: There is evidence of meaningful engagement with the local community. The festival intentionally engages the public, where community members benefit directly through active participation.	5 points: There is evidence of extensive engagement with the local community. Project embeds participatory public engagement as its core focus, fostering deep relationships and encouraging community involvement. Community members are actively involved as stakeholders, vendors, participants, volunteers, and/or contributors.
  Accessibility	0 points: The organization has no plans to ensure the programming, facilities, and venue are accessible to people of all abilities.	1 point: The organization has vague and/or limited plans to ensure the programming, facilities, and venue are accessible to people of all abilities.	2 points: The organization has specific plans to ensure the programming, facilities, and venue are accessible to people of all abilities.	3 points: The organization has extensive plans to ensure the programming, facilities, and venue are accessible to people of all abilities. The organization has planned for a diverse range of accessibility needs.
  Success Measurements	0-1 points: Methods for evaluating, analyzing, reporting, and assessing festival success are minimal or largely absent. There is no evidence that outcomes will inform future events.	2 points: Methods for evaluating, analyzing, and reporting are described but are basic or provide surface-level information. The evidence of public engagement assessment is limited; connections to goals, public impact, or future planning are vague.	3 points: Methods for evaluating, analyzing, and reporting are clearly defined, relevant, and aligned with project goals. The approach demonstrates thoughtful assessment of outcomes and public engagement, with plans to report and use findings to inform future projects.	4 points: Methods for evaluating, analyzing, and reporting are comprehensive, purposeful, and directly aligned with project goals. The approach demonstrates rigorous, strategic assessment that captures meaningful outcomes and engagement. There are plans to report and use findings to inform future projects.
  Supplemental Information – 20% of Total score
  Budget	0-5 points: The budget is not balanced and does not reflect investments in artists and arts activities.	6-12 points: The budget is balanced but does not reflect investments in artists and arts activities.	13-14 points: The budget is balanced and reflects investments in artists and arts activities.	15 points: The budget is balanced and reflects extensive investments in artists and arts activities.
  Supplemental Information	0-1 points: Support materials and work samples do not enhance the application. Submitted materials do not showcase necessary skills, resources, and capacity needed for the successful production of the festival.	2 points: Support materials and work samples give vague context to the application, and lack useful information supporting necessary skills, resources, and capacity.	3-4 points: Support materials and work samples give context to the application. Submitted materials show necessary skills, resources, and capacity needed for the successful production of the festival.	5 points: Support materials and work samples provide greater context and more in-depth information about the festival. Submitted materials show necessary skills, resources, and capacity needed for the successful production of the festival.

  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

  Support Materials

  Support materials are a required part of your application. Support materials show the organization’s ability to carry out the festival and its arts components. All work samples should have been created within the last five (5) years (after Jan. 1, 2021).

  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 festival.
  • A sample or template of the artist(s) and the festival’s memorandum of understanding or contract.
  • 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 login credentials for that platform. Do not include websites or links for which a password is required.

  If you are uncertain what to submit, please contact us.

  Work Samples

  Work samples demonstrate a participating artist’s skill level and expertise relevant to the project. Work samples must have been created within the last five (5) years (after Jan. 1, 2021).

  In addition to the required support materials, you must submit at least two (2) work samples; you may submit up to five (5).

  Work samples might include, but are not limited to:

  • Video clips of performances.
  • Pictures of the artist’s work.
  • Excerpts from the artist’s work.
  • Audio clips of the artist’s work.

  For each work sample you must provide:

  • Name of artist(s) or key individuals involved; please identify all project-relevant artists or individuals.
  • Title of the piece.
  • Year created.
  • Total runtime of the piece (for audio/video clips).
  • Start and end timestamps for the portion you want reviewed (for audio/video clips).
  • A sentence describing the work and its relationship to the project.

  To submit work samples, you must provide a URL/link where the work sample can be viewed. The work sample(s) must be accessible without login credentials for that platform. Do not include websites or links for which a password is required (e.g., if you link to a Facebook video, make sure it’s a public link, as reviewers may not have a Facebook account).

  Audio/video Formatting Requirement

  • Audio or video clips cannot exceed 20 minutes total per application.

  Document 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.

  You may need to create new electronic files (e.g., documents, video files, etc.) that meet the length, content, and formatting requirements. If you are uncertain what to submit, please contact us.

• 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 “Festivals Grant” 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 June 2026 board meeting.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and/or your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the South Carolina Arts Commission. All parties agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, executive orders, provisions, and requirements stated in the contract.

  You will receive notification and instructions when your contract is available in the 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.

  Please note: Any significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be approved in writing, in advance, by the SCAC. Significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be emailed to grants@arts.sc.gov to be processed for approval or denial.

  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.

  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 submit an accurate and complete final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of any funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports.

  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.