Summer Arts Education Project Grants

About This Grant

This grant supports quality arts education programs for preschool (3K-4K) and/or K-12 students between school years, through both traditional providers (arts organizations) and other organizations (e.g., social service, health, community, education) that utilize the arts to meet the educational, developmental, and social needs of preschool (3K-4K) and/or K-12 students.

Projects occurring during the summer of 2027 can be funded by this grant. Please note that all grant activities must occur within the grant period (May 1 – June 26, 2027); this grant cannot pay for the planning phase of activities that will occur outside of the grant period.

Activities should:

1. Expand student access to arts education opportunities; and
2. Complement, augment, or advance standards-based arts instruction or arts integration activities aligned with school curriculum; and
3. Be focused on or include significant components of quality instruction and/or experiences in the visual arts, performing arts, media arts, design arts, folk and traditional arts, or creative writing; and
4. Address South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency; or
5. If applying for or including preschool programming, address South Carolina’s Profile of the Ready Kindergartener.

Applicants may submit only one (1) application per deadline. While colleges and universities are eligible, only one (1) application per college and university department will be accepted.

• 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

  • The applicant must be
    • A college or university;
    • OR a unit of state or local government;
    • OR a nonprofit community-based organization (arts or non-arts)
      • 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.
      • reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documents
      • 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

  • 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

  • Schools and school districts.
  • School/band booster clubs.
  • Nonprofit organizations or foundations that are associated with or sponsor a specific school or school club.
  • Individual artists.
  • Commissioners and staff of the S.C. Arts Commission and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply for any individual SCAC programs, grants, fellowships, or services that provide financial support or career recognition.

• This Grant Can Be Used For...

  Grant funds should supplement (add to) not supplant (replace) your current arts programming budget. Grant funds should allow for project funding that is BEYOND your current budget. Grant funds should NOT REPLACE your current budget so that it can be reallocated.

  Eligible project disciplines include: visual arts, performing arts, media arts, design arts, folk and traditional arts, and creative writing.

  Allowable expenses:

  • Salaries and professional expenses directly related to the planning and implementation of your proposed project.
  • Artists to facilitate programs or projects.
  • Materials, equipment, and/or supplies related to your proposed project.
  • Scholarships for students to attend or participate in proposed projects.
  • Providing professional learning for educators, artists, and/or instructors.
  • Indirect costs up to 10% of the total grant award.
  • Transportation and admission to arts experiences for students.

  Examples of eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Workshops.
  • Camps.
  • Artist residencies (see note below).
  • Public art projects.
  • Performances.
  • Exhibitions.
  • Acquisition of critical equipment or supplies.
  • Program planning.
  • Professional learning for instructors, artists, and/or administrators.

  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.

  Indirect Cost Limitation

  No more than 10% of the total grant funds may be used for indirect costs (general overhead expenses not directly tied to the project). The remaining 90% must go toward direct costs, which are necessary to carry out the funded project.

  • Examples of direct costs: Artist fees, program supplies, travel for project activities, and venue rental.
  • Examples of indirect costs: Administrative salaries not directly working on the project, office rent, utilities, and general office supplies.

  This ensures that most of the funding directly benefits the project while allowing some flexibility for necessary overhead costs.

• This Grant Cannot Be Used For...

  Grant-Specific Restrictions

  • Interest on borrowed money.
  • Lawsuits.
  • Disposal of assets.
  • Losses due to natural disasters.
  • Decrease in inventory value or unsold inventory.
  • Any activities (including student art making) intended for fundraising.
  • New construction / facilities construction.
  • Food, beverages, alcohol, catering services.
  • Clothing (not including costumes for theatre projects).
  • Band uniforms.
  • Stipends or awards for students (including gift cards).
  • Credit card processing fees.
  • Indirect costs above 10% of total grant award.
  • Any arts material or activity that is already funded by a Term Arts Education Project grant may not be duplicated in, or overlap with, a Summer Arts Education Project grant application.
  • Programs should not be focused on students below the 3K level; though students under age 3 may benefit from proposed programming.

  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

  This funding category is highly competitive.

  • Priority will be given to projects or programs which:
    • Include partnerships between organizations, schools, and/or other entities to meet preschool (3K-4K) and/or K-12 educational goals through the arts; and/or
    • Serve specific student populations, including those living in rural or high-poverty areas.
    • See the “Grant Criteria” section of these guidelines for details.

  • 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

  December 17, 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

  May 1–June 26, 2027*

  * All projects must be implemented during the summer months of 2027 (May 1-June 26, 2027).

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $15,000

  Funding Type

  Expense reimbursement.

  Matching Requirements

  1:2 (grantee:SCAC)

  • A 1:2 match means that for each SCAC dollar granted, the grantee must match with $0.50 of their own funds.
    • For example, if the total project cost is $18,000, the applicant may request $12,000 and must provide the remaining $6,000 from other sources.
  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Funds cannot be matched with another SCAC grant.

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

  FY27 Summer Arts Education Project Grant Evaluation Rubric
  Expanding Access to Arts Education – 60% of Total Score
  Community Need	0 points: There is little to no demonstrated community need for the project or program. The program is not supported by relevant evidence or data.	1-2 points: There is some demonstrated community need for the project or program. The program is supported by little evidence or data.	3-4 points: There is a clearly demonstrated community need for the project or program supported by evidence and data.	5 points: There is a strong, clearly demonstrated community need for the project or program supported by relevant evidence and data.
  Project/Activity Details	0-2 points: There is little to no detail to understand the proposed project, participants, or timeline/location.	3-5 points: There is some detail about the project description, but several key details are unclear or missing.	6-8 points: Clear description with most key details provided; minor information may be missing.	9-10 points: Clear, specific, and complete description of what will happen, who will participate, and when/where activities will take place.
  Educational Goals	0-2 points: The educational goals of the project provide little to no understanding of what students will learn academically, artistically, or otherwise.	3-5 points: The educational goals of the project are vague but include some learning academically, artistically, and otherwise.	6-8 points: The educational goals of the project are clear and include quality learning academically, artistically, and otherwise.	9-10 points: The educational goals of the project are clearly stated and include high-quality learning academically, artistically, and otherwise.
  Timeline and Milestones	0 points: Timeline is unclear or missing major phases of project (planning, execution, or evaluation), does not identify milestones, and dates conflict significantly or do not align with project dates.	1-2 points: Timeline partially outlines the project (planning, execution, and/or evaluation), identifies some milestones, and is mostly aligned with project dates.	3-4 points: Timeline outlines all phases of the project (planning, execution, and evaluation), identifies key milestones, and is aligned with project dates.	5 points: Timeline clearly and thoroughly outlines all phases of the project (planning, execution, and evaluation) and identifies key milestones. All dates are specific and fully aligned with project dates.
  Student Engagement	0-2 points: The activities provide little to no engagement of students in creating, performing, producing, experiencing, or learning through the arts.	3-5 points: The activities somewhat engage students in creating, performing, producing, experiencing, or learning through the arts.	6-8 points: The activities clearly engage students in creating, performing, producing, experiencing, or learning through the arts.	9-10 points: The activities directly engage students in creating, performing, producing, experiencing, or learning through the arts.
  Educational Standards	0 points: Activities do not address South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency or the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartener.	1-2 points: Some activities address South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency and/or the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartener in a reasonable way.	3-4 points: Most activities address South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency and/or the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartener in a meaningful and reasonable way. The applicant provides 1 standard/profile target area addressed through this project.	5 points: All activities address South Carolina’s 2026 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency and/or the SC Profile of the Ready Kindergartener in a clear, meaningful, and reasonable way. The applicant provides 1-2 standards/profile target areas addressed through this project.
  Student Outcomes	0-2 points: Provides little to no information about how student outcomes or project success will be measured.	3-5 points: Identifies some general evaluation methods, but connections to educational goals or student outcomes are limited or unclear.	6-8 points: Provides clear evaluation measures that connect to the educational goals and student outcomes, with some specific evidence of learning or impact.	9-10 points: Provides clear, specific, and meaningful evaluation measures that directly assess the stated educational goals and intended student outcomes, using appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative evidence beyond attendance.
  Project Growth	0 points: The organization has not demonstrated growth or change within their grant project or program from previous years.	1-2 points: The organization has demonstrated some growth and/or change to their grant-funded project or program from previous years.	3-4 points: The organization has clearly demonstrated growth and/or change in their grant-funded project or program from previous years.	5 points: The organization has demonstrated significant growth and/or change in their grant-funded project or program from previous years.
  Organizational Capacity – 30% of Total Score
  Organization and Mission	0 points: The project or program is not within the scope of the organization’s mission.	1-2 points: The project or program is somewhat within the scope of the organization’s mission.	3-4 points: The project or program is clearly within the scope of the organization’s mission.	5 points: The project or program is clearly and compellingly within the scope of the organization’s mission.
  Commitment to Artistic Quality	0 points: The organization does not demonstrate a commitment to artistic quality.	1-2 points: The organization somewhat demonstrates a commitment to artistic quality and identifies measures to ensure that commitment is met.	3-4 points: The organization demonstrates a commitment to artistic quality and identifies effective measures to ensure that commitment is met.	5 points: The organization directly demonstrates a clear commitment to artistic quality and identifies effective measures to ensure that commitment is met.
  Qualifications of Key Personnel	0 points: Leadership and key personnel are not qualified to deliver effective programming.	1-2 points: Some leadership and key personnel are qualified to deliver effective programming.	3-4 points: Most leadership and key personnel are qualified to deliver effective programming.	5 points: All leadership and key personnel are highly qualified to deliver effective programming.
  Budget	0 points: The program budget is not balanced and/or an unrealistic estimate of project expenses and sources of income to support the project.	1-2 points: The program budget somewhat demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of project expenses and sources of income to support the project.	3-4 points: The program budget demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of project expenses and sources of income to support the project.	5 points: The program budget clearly demonstrates a balanced and realistic estimate of project expenses and reliable sources of income to support the project.
  Partnerships	0 points: The project represents no community partnerships between organizations, schools, and/or other entities to meet 3K-4K or K-12 educational goals through the arts.	1-2 points: The project represents some community partnerships between organizations, schools, and/or other entities to meet 3K-4K and/or K-12 educational goals through the arts.	3-4 points: The project clearly represents defined community partnerships between organizations, schools, and/or other entities to meet 3K-4K and/or K-12 educational goals through the arts.	5 points: The project clearly represents strong, defined community partnerships between organizations, schools, and/or other entities to meet 3K-4K and/or K-12 educational goals through the arts.
  Partnership Letter of Support	0 points: No letters of support from community partners are present.	1-2 points: Letters of support from some community partners are present and represent some understanding of the role and scope of some partners involved.	3-4 points: Letters of support from most community partners are present and represent understanding of the role and scope of the partners involved.	5 points: Letters of support from all community partners are present and represent a clear understanding of the role and scope of all partners involved.
  Populations Served – 10% of Total Score
  Populations Served	0 points: There is no clear understanding of the student population that will be served through this project. Missing information including which and how many students will benefit and any special characteristics or needs.	1-2 points: There is some understanding of the student population that will be served through this project. Includes incomplete information about which and how many students will benefit and any special characteristics or needs.	3-4 points: There is a clear understanding of the student population that will be served through this project, including which and how many students will benefit and any special characteristics or needs.	5 points: There is a clear and thorough understanding of the student population that will be served through this project, including which and how many students will benefit and any special characteristics or needs.
  Distinct Group Populations	0 points: There is no connection between the selected group populations served and the details and reasoning behind how and why these groups were selected.	1-2 points: There is some connection between the selected group populations served and the details and reasoning behind how and why these groups were selected.	3-4 points: There is a clear connection between the selected group populations served and the details and reasoning behind how and why these groups were selected.	5 points: There is clear and reasonable connection between the selected group populations served and the details and reasoning behind how and why these groups were selected.

  Printer-friendly rubric.

How to Apply

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.

• 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.

   

• Starting Your Application

  1. Click 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 “Summer Arts Education Projects” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.
     • Note: Be sure you are applying for “Summer Arts Education Projects,” not “Term Arts Education Projects” without the “Summer” designation.

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 after the February 2027 board meeting.

• 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

  Payments are reimbursement-based. This means any expenses must be financed up front by the grantee and/or a cooperating entity.

  If you are using a fiscal agent/receiver, grant funds will be released to your fiscal receiver, who will then pay you.

  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.