Applications now being accepted for artist support grants  – OBX Today

Applications now being accepted for artist support grants  - OBX Today
Artist Lisa LeMair in the art installation “Glassrain” by Icelandic artist Rúrí, at the National Gallery of Iceland, July 2023. Photo courtesy of Lisa LeMair.

Artists are now eligible to apply for Artist Support Grants through a partnership between the North Carolina Arts Council, Pocosin Arts, Arts of the Pamlico, Dare Arts, Ocracoke Alive, Pettigrew Regional Libraries, and Martin County Arts Council.

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions.

These grants are intended to support a broad range of disciplines, including visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and interdisciplinary arts.

Emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply for a grant for a range of professional and artistic development including the creation of work, improvement of business operations, purchase of equipment and/or materials, professional development workshops, travel support associated with a professional opportunity, and development of promotional materials. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to spending a significant portion of their time on their work as artists.

“The Artist Support Grant is an amazing opportunity for any artist who might need a bit of financial support to bring their work to the next level,” said Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands. “We understand that grant applications can be overwhelming so we’re hosting two application help sessions on Zoom to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.”

Dare Arts will be offering free Artist Support Grant application help sessions on Zoom on Wed., Sept. 13 at 5pm and Thurs., Sept. 14 at 11am. Artists who would like to participate can sign up online at DareArts.org/asg.

The online grant application is available at DareArts.org/asg. The deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, October 13, 2023. Grants will range in awards from $500 to $1,500.

Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants in the following counties: Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington.

This is the fourth year that Artist Support Grants will be distributed to North Carolina creatives.

Lisa LeMair of Southern Shores, NC received an Artist Support Grant earlier this year for an artist retreat and working sabbatical in Iceland this summer.

“As I wrap up my project time in Iceland, I want to say how grateful I am for the Artist Support Grant I received,” said artist Lisa LeMair. “It was vital in allowing me the time to step away from my studio and really engage with my art, seek inspiration, and develop new ideas. Our artist retreat in Akureyri 

was really well received, and we generated lots of individual and group ideas for an exhibition and new work. I’m looking forward to getting back into the studio and following these fresh creative paths.”

Applicants with specific questions can contact Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands at DareArtsInfo@gmail.com or 252 473 5558.

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.