The United Arts Wake County is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Artist Support Grants.
Donor Name: United Arts Wake County
State: North Carolina
County: Chatham County (NC), Harnett County (NC), Johnston County (NC), Lee County (NC), Wake County (NC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This regional grant program provides project-based funding for both emerging and established artists to create new work, pursue professional development, improve studio operations, or reach new audiences. A broad range of disciplines are supported, including visual, performing, literary, and interdisciplinary arts.
Funding Information
Artist Support Grants fund up to $1,500.
Grant Period
January 1 – December 31, 2026.
Eligible Projects
- Artist Fees: Up to 50 percent of the grant may be used to pay the artist applicant for their work on the project – these are funds kept by the applicant as income.
- Completion/Presentation of New Work: Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.
- Artists should have lived continuously in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake County for at least one year prior to the September 1, 2025 application deadline. Proof of residence may be required.
- If applying as a group of collaborating artists, all members must live in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake County, and meet the other eligibility requirements.
- Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have received funding for FY2025–2026 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply.
- Current board and staff members of Chatham Arts Council, Harnett County Government, Johnston County Arts Council, Lee County Arts Council, United Arts Wake County, and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
- Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-seeking programs are not eligible to apply. 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.
- Applicants who have previously received funding through this program must wait at least two years after the award year to become eligible to reapply. Grantees from 2024 and 2025 are not eligible to reapply for 2026.
For more information, visit UAWC.
