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Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program distributes funds for the arts in all 100 counties of the state, primarily through partnerships with local arts councils. 

Eligibility for Application 

• Primary Consideration will be given to multicultural organizations (i.e., African American, Asian American, Latino, or Native American arts groups); however, art non-profits serving multicultural citizens may also apply.
• All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. While nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also apply.
• All organizations must reside and carry out projects within the county where they apply for funds.
• Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds.
• Applications and support materials must be completed and received by the due date.
• All projects must take place between January 1, 2024, and June 15, 2024.
• Grant amounts range from $500 to $6,000.

What the Grassroots Arts Program Funds Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs or operate an arts organization. Typical uses of Grassroots money include: 

• Program expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, costumes, scripts, sets, props, music, and equipment rental.
• Operating expenses for qualified arts organizations can include salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance, and equipment rental.

Organizations already receiving funding from the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC) should check with the granting office at The ACGG to determine eligibility. 

Priorities for Funding The priority of the Grassroots program is to provide operating or program support to qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible to receive support from the NCAC. These include theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers’ groups, and arts festivals, etc. 

The second priority of the Grassroots program is to support arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists. These can be artist residencies in schools, afterschool or summer camps, or adult arts learning classes. 

The third priority of Grassroots Arts subgrants is to community, civic, and municipal organizations. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists. 

Funding Policies 

• Tribal organizations that receive Grassroots funds must represent the state or      federally recognized tribes.
• Colleges, universities, and libraries may receive grants for community-based arts programs or generate regional arts involvement. Grants may not support their internal programs, administration, or operation expenses (library books, band boosters, equipment purchases).
• Subgrants may not be awarded to individuals or to organizations for prizes, competitions, tuition, or financial rewards.
• Grassroots funds may not be used for art supplies or equipment.
• Religious organizations or churches may not receive Grassroots funds unless the programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community, and do not contain religious content.
• Grassroots funds may not be used for activities associated with a school’s internal arts programs, such as in-school student performances, the purchase of art supplies, or student arts competitions and publications.
• Municipalities (city/county governments) may receive grants for arts programs that use qualified artists to conduct programs that involve the greater community.  Grants may not support internal programs, administration, or operating expenses.

Grassroots Arts Program money may not be used for the following kinds of expenditures: 

• Art, music, and dance therapists
• Artifacts
• Purchase artwork
• Purchase equipment or art supplies
• Capital expenditures or equipment 
• Contingency funds
• Deficit reduction
• Fundraising events
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• School band activities or equipment
• School choral activities
• Lobbying expenses
• Oral history and history projects
• Tuition for academic study
• Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs

Grassroots Program Requirements

Matching Requirement: All subgrantees must match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. Other NCAC funds cannot be used as a match.

Recognition 

Grantees must acknowledge the North Carolina Arts Council, The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, and The High Point Arts Council in all print and promotional materials related to the grant funding. Organizations receiving operating support must post acknowledgment on the organizations' website. 

Reporting Requirements: Each subgrantee is required to have a virtual check-in during March of 2024 and submit a final report providing a detailed description of the funded project, participation statistics and demographics, sample marketing, and program materials using the NCAC credit line and logo, and copies of their legislative letters not later than July 15, 2024. 

Legislative Letters: Applicants may be required to write to their state representatives to thank them for appropriating Grassroots funds. If required, the letter should provide information about how Grassroots funds were used to support your program or project and the community impact of the event. A copy of all letters to legislators must be included in the final report materials.

Listing Events and Programs: Programs and events supported directly or tangentially by Grassroots funding must be listed on The ACGG events calendar. 

How Applications Are Evaluated: Grant applications are reviewed by a diverse panel of community members, including artists, county, public officials, and arts council board members, among others. 

The panel evaluates each application based on the grant guidelines and the following criteria: • Artistic quality of proposed project or programs • Community impact of project or programs • Ability to plan and implement the project • Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization Panelists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The panel’s funding decisions are then presented as recommendations to The ACGG Board. The board votes and gives final approval to the grant panel’s recommendations.

Questions and Assistance If applicants have questions or need assistance, please contact Grants Coordinator Deb Ruffino 336-279-7081 or grants@theacgg.org.

Eligibility: Artist or team of artists must:

1. Reside in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia

2. Be able to work in the United States legally

3. Embrace the Visioning Guidelines 

Budget:

Artist Fee  17,800

Design Fee 5,000  

Contingency 3,000 (must be mutually agreed upon before committed)

Total $25,800

 Timeline + Process

1. October 30: Artist Letter of Interest submission deadline
2. November 15: The Selection Committee selects the top three artists to complete a full proposal with concept renderings. (The final three artists will be paid $500)
3. January 15: Deadline for full proposals
4. January 22: Artists present proposal to the Steering Committee, leadership, and community stakeholders      (via WebEx if outside North Carolina)
5. February 1: The final artist or artist team is selected
6. April      1: Digital images delivered to Cone Health

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your creativity to a healthcare facility dedicated to improving the lives of patients and the community. We encourage all eligible visual artists in the specified regions to apply and bring their unique vision to life in this meaningful project.