A tutorial on applying for an Artist Project Grant through the Orange County Arts Commission. Providing visual, performing, and literary artists grants for projects based in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, North Carolina.

1. ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS
Guidelines & Information

2. ABOUT OUR GRANTS
Grassroots Program Grants Funded by the NC Arts
Council (NCAC) and Orange County, these grants fund arts
programs, projects, and services through area nonprofits,
schools, and municipal organizations.
Artist Project Grants Funded by Orange County, these
grants fund individual artist projects that positively benefit
the greater community.

3. ABOUT OUR GRANTS
AVAILABLE FUNDS
• Fiscal Year 2018-19 Funds: approximately $65k
• Suggested request range: $500 - $3,000
• Average artist grant in 2017: $1,500
TIMELINE: One annual cycle
• Projects/programs during 2018-19 FISCAL year (July 1,
2018 – June 30, 2019)
• All grant applications due by midnight Monday, June 4
• Awardees notified no later than August 1
• All 2017 grant reports must be received to be eligible
(due June 13, 2018)

4. ELIGIBILITY
All community based projects/programs must take place in
Orange County
Personal development requests: artist must be a resident of
Orange County
Projects/programs must take place between
July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019
ARTISTGRANTS

5. • Matching Requirement
• One-to-one cash match ENCOURAGED
• Orange County Arts Commission: Logo
• Reporting Requirements
• Final report to Orange County Arts Commission (July, 2019)
• Thank you letters to Orange County Board of Commissioners
encouraged
REQUIREMENTS

6. WHAT THE GRANTS WILL FUND
ARTIST PROJECTGRANTS
• Program expenses such as professional artists’ fees and
travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity,
website/electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props,
equipment rental/purchase.• Artist’s travel and training expenses for professional
development opportunities
• Supplies or equipment

7. • Art, music, and dance
therapists
• Artifacts
• Purchase of artwork
• Capital expenditures
• Contingency funds
• Deficit reduction
• Fundraising events
• Food or beverages for
hospitality or entertainment
functions
• School band activities or
equipment
• Internal school activities
or supplies
• Lobbying expenses
• Oral history and history
projects
• Tuition for academic study
• Interest on loans, fines or
litigation costs
• Scholarships
• Religious content
WHAT THE GRANTS WILL NOT FUND

8. • Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board reviews
each grant
• Board must base funding decisions on the quality of the
grant application, not on their relationship with, or
knowledge of, the artist
• Panelists review each grant application and score
applications on specific criteria
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED

9. • Artistic quality of the proposed project
• Community impact of project or program
• Multicultural aspect of the program
• Educational impact of the program
• Ability to plan and implement project
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED
Considerations…

10. • Grant Contract
• Final report with
• Audience numbers
• Audience demographics
• Demonstrated use of OCAC logo on promotional
materials and programs
• NOTE: Late final reports=no funding next grant cycle
• Willingness to participate in activities that showcase
your project, or contribute to the betterment of the arts
community of Orange County.
IF YOU GET FUNDED…
EXAMPLE: Demonstration at a Board of County
Commissioner’s meeting, or participation in Americans for the
Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey

11. Q: Is there a limit on how much funding I can ask for?
F.A.Q.’s
A: Technically, no. However, there is a finite pool of funds and Orange
County has 177 arts and cultural organizations plus artists who may
apply for funding. We want to fund as many high-quality arts programs
as possible. We recommend your requests range from $1,000-$3,000.
Q: I need funding for multiple projects or programs.
Should I compile all requests into one application, or
submit multiple applications?
A: For the sake of clarity, we would prefer for you to submit one
application per program. Be as clear as possible with your request; we
never want the grants panel to ask, “What exactly are they asking for?”

12. Q: I received a grant last cycle. Can I apply again this
cycle?
F.A.Q.’s
A: Yes, unless you have not yet submitted a prior cycle’s report that is
past due, or you failed to execute a formerly funded program. If this is
case, please contact us at 919-245-2335.
Q: I forgot a portion of my application. Will it still be
considered?
A: No. Out of fairness to applicants having submitted complete
applications, incomplete applications will not be considered. We
understand mistakes happen, and encourage you to submit your
application at least one week in advance in order for us to review your
application.

13. Q: What are the main tips you can offer to help me
submit a great application?
F.A.Q.’s
Try to incorporate community involvement into your request. Even
though this is no longer a requirement of the Artist Project Grants,
applicants incorporating a great community benefit will score higher.
Examples of 2017-18 funded Artist Project Grants:
• Pam Baggett: Project Poetry! (funds allowed Pam to teach free poetry
workshops)
• Carter Hubbard: Floraffiti (funded program expenses and artist time
for public art project)
• Dawn Hummer: Freeform Weaving for Seniors (funds purchased
looms for Dawn’s free weaving classes)
• Renzo Ortega: Clases de Arte en Espanol (funded artist time to teach
free Spanish art classes)

14. Q: What are the main tips you can offer to help me
submit a great application?
F.A.Q.’s
Be clear and concise. A grant application is never a place for flowery
language. In addition, don’t water down your application with tons of
work samples; rather, include several of the highest quality examples.
Quality is much more important than quantity!
Try new things. Generally, the OCAC board prefers to fund new,
innovative projects each year rather than the same project multiple times
or in multiple forms.
If your project will take place at a public location or require the
involvement of community partners, make sure to get letters of support
so the panel knows you have their partnership!

15. Applications due
Monday, June 4 by midnight
www.artsorange.org/grants
WHEN
to submit your application

16. Need help? Have questions? Confused?
Katie Murray, Director
Orange County Arts Commission
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2335
Address: 200 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough
QUESTIONS?