Artists and small artist collectives who are 18+ working in ALL disciplines and living in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties of North Carolina are invited to apply for Artist Support Grants through Arts of the Albemarle.

The Artist Support Grant is intended to support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts. Eligible candidates may be either emerging or established artists. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists.  

Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply. 

Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in the region in which they are applying for at least one year prior to the consortium’s application deadline. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. The consortium may require proof of residence and status. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend most of the year. 

All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, and meet the other eligibility requirements. 

Résumés for all team members documenting residence should be included with the application.

Applicants may apply for up to 50 percent of the grant to support artist fees.   

• Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies or equipment (digital may qualify) or space rental) 

• Career Promotion — Projects aimed at advertising artists’ work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, and online presentation) 

• Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) aimed either at enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development (e.g., a master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authorities in the applicant artist’s medium) 

• Travel — Costs of transportation, lodging, and food for training, professional conferences, or research as allowed or possible while adhering to social distancing guidelines 

Artists and projects falling within the following criteria are ineligible to apply:

• Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education 

• Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office 

• Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group 

• Nonprofit initiatives 

• Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work)

• Multiple Awards — Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have already received funding for the current fiscal year from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply. Awardees must also wait at least two years after the award year before becoming eligible to reapply. 

• Conflict of Interest — Current board and staff members of the consortium partner organizations and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply. 

• Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, nonstudent artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant. Artists in certificate programs are generally eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria. Other questions and special circumstances should be discussed with N.C. Arts Council staff.