The South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) has announced its Summer Arts Education Project Grants for the summer of 2025. These grants aim to support arts education programs for preschool (3K-4K) and K-12 students during the summer break, emphasizing both traditional arts education providers and other organizations that incorporate arts to meet educational, developmental, and social needs. The grant period runs from May 1 to August 15, 2025, with applications due by December 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligible applicants include most South Carolina nonprofit organizations (arts and non-arts), colleges and universities, and units of government. Organizations must propose activities that expand student access to arts education, complement or enhance school arts curricula, and align with South Carolina’s educational standards, such as the 2017 College and Career Ready Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency or the Profile of the Ready Kindergartener for preschool programs. Projects should include quality instruction or experiences in areas such as visual arts, performing arts, media arts, design arts, folk and traditional arts, or creative writing.

Funding is available up to $15,000, with a required matching contribution of 1:2 (grantee: SCAC). Grant funds may be used to support project-related costs, but applicants should review specific funding restrictions and guidelines outlined in the application materials. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear plan for enhancing arts education and fostering creative learning environments for students.

Applications are accepted via the Foundant platform, accessible through the SCAC Grants Portal. Prospective applicants new to the system are encouraged to review the Grants Portal FAQ for detailed instructions on registration and navigation. Before applying, applicants may preview the application to prepare materials and address any questions about the process. SCAC also offers grants coaching, including category-specific advisement, topic sessions, and opportunities for one-on-one support.

The review process will evaluate proposals based on their alignment with grant criteria, such as the program’s potential to expand access, quality of arts instruction, and adherence to state education standards. Applicants awarded grants will be notified of additional requirements, such as reporting and compliance, before the grant period begins.

For assistance, applicants may contact Arts Learning Director Kimberly Washburn Motte at (803) 734-8694 or via email at kmotte@arts.sc.gov. For questions about submitted applications or current grants, applicants should reach out to the Grants Team at (803) 734-8695 or grants@arts.sc.gov. Additional resources, including recorded sessions and coaching opportunities, are available on the SCAC Grants Coaching webpage.