The Artist Support Grant (ASG) supports a broad range of talented North Carolina artists in multiple arts genres. The grant funds professional & artistic development for emerging & established artists to enhance their skills & abilities to create work or to improve their capacity to bring their work to new audiences. Eligible artists that reside in Region 12 (Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly, & Union Counties) must apply through the Arts Council of Moore County. (If you live in another NC county, you can find your county partner here.)
Next Deadline: 5:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025
Grant Decision: After November 21, 2025
See below for more grant details…
What is the Artist Support Grant?
The program is managed by the Arts Council of Moore County in partnership with Anson County Arts Council, Arts Richmond, Stanly County Arts Council, StarWorks NC, Union County Community Arts Council, & the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources.
The deadline for 25-26 applications in Region 12 is 5:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2025.
Who Has Won the Grant in the Past?
2024 – $15,750 in total grants
- Tom Burch – Union County – Theatre & Puppetry – Project: Attend the O’Neill Puppetry Conference in Waterford, CT
- Ava Grebe – Moore County – Dance – Project: Purchase equipment for new body of work & one year of website domain hosting
- Kristina Henckel – Moore County – Music – Project: Record a CD of Bed?ich Smetana’s music in his homeland of the Czech Republic
- Ariana Stein – Montgomery County – Ceramics & Music – Project: Attend an artist residency in Kecskemet, Hungary
- Tara Thacker – Moore County – Ceramics – Project: Attend an artist residency at the Monte Azul Center for the Arts in Costa Rica
- Elijah Williams – Stanly County – Painting/Mural – Project: Complete a mural project
2023 – $13,350 in total grants
- Renata Berlin – Union County – Music – Project: Recordings for audition tapes to professional choruses & artist fee
- Lashenna Gaines – Union County – Writing – Project: Create a new children’s book
- Wayne Manning – Moore County – Glass blowing – Project: Purchase a mobile glass blowing furnace & annealer
- Jodi Ohl – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: Create a new body of work to be included in a book on abstract painting
- Hannah Roser – Moore County – Digital Art/3D Multimedia – Project: Attend an online class, purchase a new computer, & artist fee
2022 – $15,800 in total grants
- Sean Bergesen – Moore County – Film – Project: Expenses for a film shoot
- Richard Cutright – Stanly County – Music – Project: New computer & software to record/mix new music
- Vanessa Grebe – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: Art supplies for new body of work
- Susan Lackey – Stanly County – Visual Art – Project: New easel & framing
- Kelly Martin – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: Supplies for large art installation
- Desmond McRae – Moore County – Music – Project: Tuition for music recording program
- Eric Wells – Union County – Music – Project: Mixing & mastering new music
- Sydney Williams – Montgomery County – Pottery – Project: Upgrade home ceramic studio
2021 – $16,275 in total grants
- Josh Barkey – Union County – Music – Project: Professional recording session expenses
- Jennifer Brogdon – Stanly County – Writing – Project: Author mentorship & copy editing of manuscript
- Allison Daniel – Moore County – Ceramics – Project: Purchase clay bodies for new work
- Megan DeLaura – Union County – Music & Theatre – Project: Yale Women’s Leadership Program
- Christine Jepsen – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: Upgrading tools for larger scale work
- Jennie Lorette Keatts – Moore County – Jewelry – Project: Pepe rolling mill, Jool tool, & supplies
- Angela Lubinecky – Union County – Visual Art – Project: Studio lighting, new website, & art supplies
- Luke Russell – Union County – Illustration – Project: Supplies & printing costs for graphic novel
- Lorraine Turi – Union County – Photography – Project: New computer
- Arlynn Zachary – Union County – Dance & Photography – Project: New camera & lens for a dance photoshoot
- Nanette Zeller – Moore County – Textiles – Project: New camera body
2020 – $13,190 in total grants
- Austin Coats – Stanly County – Music – Project: Sound equipment / Studio time for recording
- Brett Downey – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: New computer
- Lisa Jacoby Downey – Moore County – Visual Art – Project: New camera for documenting artwork
- John Gessner – Moore County – Photography – Project: Create vinyl records as promotion for his project, “Vinyl on Vinyl”
- Robert Hill Long – Moore County – Photography – Project: Juneteenth photo portrait project
- Christian Payne – Stanly County – Theatre – Project: New camera for live-streaming
- Matthew Rock – Moore County – Dance – Project: Expenses for new outdoor dance concert in Spring, 2021
- Jean Skipper – Moore County – Jewelry – Project: New camera & equipment for live-streaming & photographs of work
- Lemuel Subdias, Jr. – Moore County – Digital Art – Project: Equipment & software for a series of “tradigital” portraits
- Michelle Walker – Richmond County – Pottery – Project: De-airing Pug Mill to recycle clay for future pieces
- Linda Ann Watt – Union County – Writing & Theatre – Project: Copy editing for a new book on acting
Am I Eligible?
ASG is intended to support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, & interdisciplinary arts. Eligible candidates may be either an emerging or established artist.
- Individuals & Artist Collectives — An Individual artist & small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.
- Age — Artist must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency — Artist must have lived continuously in ASG’s Region 12 (Counties of Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly, & Union) for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. An applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien; Proof of residence & status may be required. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend the majority of the year. All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, & meet the other eligibility requirements. Resumes documenting residence for all team members is required with the application.
- Prior Winners — Artists who receive this grant must wait at least two (2) years before reapplying.
- Multiple Awards — Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have already received funding from the NC Arts Council in the last two (2) years may not apply.
- Conflict of Interest — Current board members, staff, & family members of the regional partner organizations are not eligible to apply.
- Student Status — This grant is intended for adult, non-student artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree programs may not apply. Artists in certificate programs may be eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other criteria. Contact ACMC with other questions & special circumstances.
What projects are fundable?
Completion/Presentation of New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies, equipment, or space rental)- Career Promotion — Projects advertising artist’s work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, & online presentation)
- Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) for enhancing the artist’s skill level or for professional development (e.g., master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authority in the applicant artist’s medium)
- Travel — Costs of transportation & lodging for training, professional conferences, or research
- Services — Rental of equipment or facilities for presentation of a new work, recording studio space, etc.
- Supplies — Cost of supplies & materials necessary for the completion or production of a new work deemed by the artist to be an essential work in his/her career.
- Artist Fee — Up to 50% of the grant amount may be used for costs of labor, which equals the time that one spends on a project. (Two ways to show a reasonable artist fee is by the hour and/or by the month)
Examples of ineligible projects & costs are:
- Projects that have no direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., promotion of other artists’ work, teaching a class/workshop, curatorial work, etc.). This grant is all about YOU as an artist!
- Scholarships &/or tuition for undergraduate or graduate level education
- Projects that support or oppose a candidate for public office
- Projects that are exclusive to members of a religious faith group
- Projects that have already taken place
- Nonprofit initiatives or start ups
How does the judging/panel process work?
All complete applications will be judged by a multi-disciplinary panel of established artists, arts professionals, arts educators, & arts administrators who will review & evaluate each application & allocate funds for selected projects. Grant recommendations from the panel must then be approved by ACMC’s Board of Trustees. Incomplete applications will not be presented to the panel.
The panel evaluates each application based on the following criteria:
- Artistic Merit (50%) — Overall excellence of the applicant’s artwork as demonstrated by work samples & a clear commitment to a career as a practicing, professional artist
- Project Merit (25%) — Feasibility of the proposed project as communicated in the application narrative & budget
- Professional Development (25%) — Contribution of the proposed project to the advancement of the applicant’s professional artistic development & practice
Make sure your application shines!
What is the grant deadline?
This is NOT a postmark deadline. Your application & all required attachments must be in ACMC’s offices by the deadline in order to be considered for funding. Applications without all required attachments are incomplete & will not be presented to the panel.
ASG projects must take place between the dates of January 1 – December 31, 2026, with all grants funds fully spent by June 30, 2026.
Can I get some help?
We’re here to help ease the process! Grant workshops will be offered to assist artists in strengthening their applications. Attendance is not required but strongly encouraged for first time applicants. All grant workshops are tailored to help any artist in Region 12, no matter your county of residence.
The ASG workshops in Region 12 will take place on the following dates:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – 5:30 PM VIRTUAL WORKSHOP VIA ZOOM Zoom link will be provided after registration (See below)
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 – 5:30 PM MOORE COUNTY IN-PERSON WORKSHOP Arts Council Galleries at Campbell House 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Registration for each grant workshop is required by contacting ACMC at 910-692-2787 or chris@mooreart.org. Please provide the following: Your name, county of residence, email address, phone number, your art discipline, & which workshop(s) you wish to attend. The virtual workshop via Zoom will be recorded & a link will be provided on this page the day afterwards.
In addition to the workshops, you may also contact the ASG representative in your county to help you complete your application & support material. Find your county representative at the bottom of this page. Please don’t wait until the week of the deadline to ask for help.
How do I apply?
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Application: Click here to download the 2025-26 ASG Application Form
2. Narrative (required / 1,000-word limit) – Your narrative should explain your proposed project & how it will positively impact your career as an artist. Your narrative should address the following:
- What is your project & how will the funds be used?
- What will this project enable you to do that you are unable to do now?
- How will this project advance your career or development as an artist?
3. Budget (required) – Fill out the application’s Project Budget (page 2) with your project’s expenses & income. For your Project Expenses, please be sure to list each expense on its own line. Be as specific as possible. The minimum grant amount to request is $500 and the maximum amount is $3,000.
4. Artistic Resume (required / 4-page limit) – Attach an artist resume that includes your education, employment, public presentations of your work, publications, commissions, honors, grants/fellowships/awards, & other relevant experience.
5. Artist Statement (optional / 1-page limit) – Attach an artist statement that describes your work & the key ideas, goals, or cultural practices that drive you to create.
6. Letters of Recommendation (optional / 2-page limit) – Letters of Recommendation are not required. All Letters of Recommendation should be on letterhead and signed with contact information. Letters should be recent & from individuals familiar with your work &/or project. Letters should be professional recommendations & not personal recommendations.
7. WORK SAMPLES (required) – Applicant must provide high-quality, digital work samples (see genre-specific requirements below), emailed to chris@mooreart.org. Hard copies are not accepted. Samples must be of artist’s work only & created within the past three years. Applicant must attach an inventory list with the following descriptions for the applicable arts discipline:
- DANCE & PERFORMING ARTS: Please submit up to 2 recorded performances. Videos* may not exceed a total time of 10 minutes. A short description may also be submitted (Word or PDF only) to include title of piece(s), date & location of performance(s), names & roles of key people (director, choreographer, lead performers/actors, etc.).
- MUSIC: Please submit up to 2 recorded performances, live or studio. Audio or video* may not exceed a total time of 10 minutes. A short description may also be included (Word or PDF only) to include title of piece(s), date & location of performance(s), names & roles of key people (composer/songwriter, musicians, etc.). Composers & songwriters should also submit scores, lyrics, and/or lead sheets, as appropriate (Word or PDF only).
- WRITING: Fiction, creative nonfiction, & playwrights may submit up to 2 writing samples (Word or PDF only) with a maximum of 12 pages each. Poets may submit 5 to 7 poems (Word or PDF only). Playwrights may also submit documentation of up to 2 recorded performances or staged readings of their plays, with clips not to exceed 10 minutes.
- VISUAL ARTS & CRAFTS: Please submit 8 to 15 images of your art (Formats accepted: PNG, JPG, JPEG,TIF; max. of 2 MB each), along with an inventory list (Word or PDF only) listing each piece with medium, dimensions, & date of completion. Do not include photos of your art on the inventory list. Time-based work documented by video* not to exceed 10 minutes.
- FILM: Please submit up to 2 video clips* of completed films, with the total of all film clips not to exceed 10 minutes. A short description may also be submitted (Word or PDF only) to include title, date, location, names & roles of key people (director, choreographer, lead performers/actors, etc.).
*For ALL Video/Audio samples: Please submit all video & audio work samples as an online web link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) sent to chris@mooreart.org, along with your name & county of residence. And though not required, indicate if your art sample is professionally mastered.
One copy of all printed material (application & all support materials) must be submitted to ACMC in ONE of the following ways.
- EMAIL: Chris@MooreArt.org
- MAIL: Arts Council of Moore County, P.O. Box 405, Southern Pines, NC 28388
- HAND DELIVER: Arts Council at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC
An application without all required attachments is incomplete & will not be presented to the grants panel.
Other Requirements
Each artist who receives a grant is required to provide a final report within 30 days after the completion of the funded project or June 30, whichever occurs first, even if your project is not complete. Failure to submit a report may result in denial of future awards.
Click the button below to downloaded the final report form:
2024-25 ASG Final Report FormCREDIT LINE
Additionally, each grant recipient is required to recognize NCAC’s investment in your talent by adhering to the following requirements about credit line & logo use. Failure to properly credit NCAC may jeopardize future awards.
All funded events & in all digital & printed publicity materials for ASG funded projects must contain the following credit line:
This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
LOGO USE
Wherever possible to include along with the NCAC credit line, NCAC’s logo may be prominently displayed on-site & in all publicity & printed materials. You may use either the color or black & white version.
Download the North Carolina Arts Council logo HERE.
TAX INFORMATION
It is the responsibility of the grant recipient to determine their state & federal income tax liability as it relates to the grant award & to file appropriate tax forms. (ACMC sends form 1099 for all ASG grant awards of $600 or more).
Should you have any questions about these other requirements, please contact ACMC.
Still have questions?
Q: What can ASG grant dollars be used for?
A: ASG funds may fund a single purpose or project, such as a workshop, conference, or master class; purchase supplies or materials; website design costs; rent a piece of equipment; help edit or publish a book; or upgrade equipment or studio space. Up to 50% of the grant may be used for the artist’s fee. In some instances there may be shared or related expenses that are also legitimate. For instance, attendance at a conference AND travel costs to attend; or, a major piece of equipment AND a necessary additional component (e.g., saw AND blade). If you are unsure if you can use grant funds for a specific expense, please see the ineligible costs above or contact your local arts council. Applicants are required to attach support for your request & amount. For example, a write-up & pricing of conference fee, a draft invoice, or an online price quote are acceptable proofs of costs.
Q: How much can I request?
A: You may request any amount between $500-$3,000.
Q: Am I required to match the grant?
A: No, matching funds are not required of ASG recipients. However, if the cost of the project exceeds the maximum grant amount ($3,000), you must show additional funding sources.
Q: When will the grant be announced?
A: We will start contacting the grant awardees on or after November 21, 2025.
Q: What types of projects have been funded in the past?
A: In the past, artists have been awarded grants for the following types of projects:
- Work with master artists in their field
- Purchase equipment (art supplies, pottery kiln, camera, computer, etc.)
- Pay for conference or workshop fees, including lodging & travel
- Renovate or update studio space
- Cost of editing &/or publishing a book
- Rent studio time for the completion of a specific project
ASG Region 12 County Representatives
If you have additional questions about the Artists Support Grant, please contact your county’s ASG Region 12 arts organization listed below:
ANSON COUNTY
Anson County Arts Council
Physical Address: 110 S. Rutherford St., Wadesboro, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 332, Wadesboro, NC 28170
Phone: 704-694-4950 | Email: ansonart@windstream.net / jarvisjenay@gmail.com
Website: www.Facebook.com/ACACSouthRutherford
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
STARworks NC
Mary Holmes, Special Projects Coordinator
Physical Address: 100 Russell Dr., Star, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 156, Star, NC 27356
Phone: 910-428-9001 | Email: mary@starworksnc.org
Website: STARworksNC.org
MOORE COUNTY
Arts Council of Moore County
Chris Dunn, Executive Director
Physical Address: 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 405, Southern Pines, NC 28388
Phone: 910-692-2787 | Email: chris@mooreart.org
Website: MooreArt.org
RICHMOND COUNTY
Arts Richmond
Physical Address: 123 E. Washington St., Rockingham, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1296, Rockingham, NC 28380
Phone: 910-997-6008 (must leave a message)
Email: ArtsRichmond@gmail.com
Website: Facebook.com/ArtsRichmond
STANLY COUNTY
Stanly County Arts Council
Renee Van Horn, Executive Director
Address: 26032-G Newt Rd., Albemarle, NC 28001
Phone: 704-982-8118 | Email: stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com
Website: StanlyCountyArtsCouncil.org
UNION COUNTY
Union County Community Arts Council
Melanie Miller, Executive Director
Physical Address: 120 N. Main St., Monroe, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 576, Monroe, NC 28111
Phone: 704-283-2784 | Email: melanie@unionarts.org
Website: UnionArts.org
The Artist Support Grant is provided through a partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, and other arts councils divided into 18 statewide regions. The Arts Council of Moore County is the Lead Partner for Region 12, which includes Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly, and Union counties.