Artist Support Grant

2026-2027 Artist Support Grant
Apply by 11:59pm on September 30, 2026.

Artist Support Grant Opportunity for Regional Artists of all Disciplines

Applications Open: September 1, 2026

Applications Due: September 30, 2026 

Artists from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell and McDowell Counties are now eligible for Artist Support Grants. The grant, operated by local arts councils, will fund professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve business operations, or bring work to new audiences.

Artists of all disciplines are invited to apply for the 2026-2027 Artist Support Grant from September 1 – 30. This year’s grantees will be awarded $500 - $1,500 in categories including visual arts, music, craft, photography, literary arts, theatre, and more. This regional grant is open to residents of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, and McDowell counties.

Artists in any stage of their career, whether early or established, may use funds to create new work, improve business operations, and reach new audiences. Past awardees have purchased equipment and materials, attended professional development workshops and training, covered costs of travel to conferences and exhibitions, and developed promotional materials.

The Artist Support Grant was created by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in 2020 as a way to bolster artists hit hard by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has drawn hundreds of applicants and supported a wide range of artists across the state. Grant cycles are managed by 19 groups of arts councils working regionally. In Region 14, Arts Culture Catawba partners with the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center, Burke Arts Council, Rock School Arts Foundation, Caldwell Arts Council, Iredell Arts Council, and McDowell Arts Council Association.

Proposals will be judged based on artistic merit, project feasibility, and capacity to expand the applicant’s artistic career. Awards are estimated to be announced in November. Grants should be spent by June 30, 2027, with projects completed by December 31, 2027.

Applicants will apply through an online grant portal. Before doing so, Caldwell County artists must contact Caldwell Arts Council Executive Director Zan Thompson by phone at 828-754-2486 or email zan@caldwellarts.com for an initial review to confirm that the project meets required criteria and to receive instructions for using the grant portal. In addition, applicants who do not have access to a computer or lack adequate internet, etc. are encouraged to request assistance from our office.