The 2025 Artist Support Grants, offered by the Arts & Science Council, aim to provide funding for professional and artist development for both emerging and established artists. The grants are designed to enhance the skills and abilities of artists to create new work or improve their business operations, thereby enabling them to reach new audiences. Artists working in various disciplines, including visual, craft, performing, traditional, and interdisciplinary art forms, are encouraged to apply. The maximum funding amount available is up to $3,000, and the grant period covers projects occurring between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, with all funds required to be expended by June 30, 2025.

The primary purpose of the Artist Support Grants is to support projects that contribute to the artistic growth and professional development of artists. Eligible projects may include the completion or presentation of new works, career promotion activities, training opportunities, and travel expenses related to professional development. Up to 50 percent of the grant amount may be allocated for artist fees, allowing artists to invest in their creative processes and business strategies.

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be individual artists or small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists who have resided continuously in one of the specified counties in North Carolina—Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, or Rowan—for at least one year prior to September 23, 2024. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. All members of a collaborating team must also meet these residency and eligibility requirements. Notably, artists who have received funding from the N.C. Arts Council for the fiscal year 2024-2025 are ineligible to apply.

The application process requires artists to submit a detailed proposal outlining their project, along with resumes documenting residency for all team members if applicable. Ineligible projects include scholarships for undergraduate or graduate education, projects that support or oppose political candidates, and initiatives that do not directly contribute to the applicant's growth as an artist. Additionally, full-time undergraduate students are not eligible to apply, although those in certificate programs may be considered.

Evaluation of applications will be based on several criteria, including the artistic merit of the proposed project, the potential impact on the artist's career, and the feasibility of the project plan. The deadline for submitting applications is October 21, 2024. Artists interested in applying should ensure that their proposals are well-prepared and submitted on time to be considered for funding.

For further information regarding the grant, including specific application questions and additional details, interested parties can visit the Arts & Science Council's website. The grant program is a valuable opportunity for artists in North Carolina to secure funding that can significantly enhance their artistic practice and professional development.