In its continued effort to support the arts sector through the pandemic, the North Carolina Arts Council distributed $7.9 million in grant funds to arts organizations and artists across the state in FY21-22. The source of these funds was a combination of state, federal, and private dollars. The Arts Council awarded 378 grants in 12 categories.
"Across the board, arts organizations report significant losses in earned revenue, contributed income, and corporate sponsorships since March of 2020. Grants have helped stabilize North Carolina’s arts sector so that it can continue providing public good to the people of our state," said Vicki Vitiello, the agency's Director of Operations. "Social cohesion, enhanced engagement in education, economic stimulus, well-being, and resiliency are examples of tangible benefits provided by the arts. I believe we need these things now more than ever."
The Arts Council had two overarching priorities for grant-making this funding cycle: (1) to distribute flexible funding as widely as possible while implementing equitable methods, and (2) to support projects that benefit underserved communities in the state. See the listing of all the grants, by county, here.
Guidelines and application deadlines for grants in FY22-23 are available on the Arts Council's website. Awards are based on published criteria and are recommended by panels of civic leaders and arts experts.
Click here to download the complete list of grants.
About the North Carolina Arts Council
Founded in 1967 with the democratic vision of “arts for all citizens,” the North Carolina Arts Council sustains and grows the arts for the benefit of North Carolinians and their communities. The Arts Council strives to deliver resources for arts development to all 100 counties of the state through programs that are fair, transparent, and accountable. The Arts Council is an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. A 24-member citizen board, appointed by the Governor, advises the Secretary of the Department on policies, programs, and research that support arts development across North Carolina. Learn more at NCArts.org.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.