Author: Andie Freeman
One of the ways the state invests in the arts is through the North Carolina Arts Council’s grant programs. The Arts Council gives these financial awards to sustain and advance our diverse and widespread network of arts organizations and artists.
The North Carolina Arts Council awards grants to support arts organizations and artists across the state. For example, our Grassroots Arts Program grants provide funding to all 100 counties through an extensive network of local arts councils and other partners, ensuring that all citizens have access to good-quality arts experiences and have the opportunity to benefit from the arts in their communities. Artist Support grants are distributed through our lead partners, who subgrant those funds to local artists. These are just two examples of grant programs administered through the N.C. Arts Council.
Our grants provide funds so organizations can hire accomplished artists to present or produce their work or conduct arts programs. Grants help arts organizations support their local communities by offering positive cultural and educational arts experiences. Nonprofit arts organizations help drive the economy in the state, providing more than $2.2 billion in economic stimulus yearly.
Organizations can consult the grant guidelines page at ncarts.org to determine their eligibility for funding. Arts Council staff review all applications, and relay those that meet the basic requirements for funding, based on the guidelines, to a panel of six to eight content experts (including several Arts Council board members), who then score how well each proposal meets the published criteria. Typically, we report grant decisions to organizations in early August, and distribute funds once they are in hand. At the end of the grant period, the organizations will report on the activities their grants made possible.
Individual artists seeking funding are encouraged to meet their local arts councils. Local councils can provide information about grants and other valuable resources available to artists. To find your local arts council, visit our Directory of Local Arts Councils.
This is just a brief overview of the N.C. Arts Council’s funding process. For more information, please view General Grant Information and Eligibility Requirements.
Important 2025-26 grant cycle dates:
- January 6, 2025: Grant applications available
- March 3, 2025: Grant application deadline
- July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026: Project period for most grants