FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chatham Arts Council Partners with Local Arts Councils to Help Artists Pursue Creative Projects in the Wake of a Pandemic
Pittsboro, NC—In this economy, currently turned upside down by a pandemic and rising costs, our mission to support artists is more important than ever. That’s why the Chatham Arts Council is excited to announce the availability of applications for two separate grants to support artists practicing any art form via Artist Support Grants and the Emerging Artists Grants program. In partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC), Raleigh Arts, and United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County (UA), the Chatham Arts Council (CAC) is encouraging Chatham County artists to apply for the Artist Support Grants to support a range of professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists. Similarly, the Emerging Artists Grants program, in partnership with the Durham Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC), is intended to support artists by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their artistic careers.
Funding opportunities for individual artists are rare—particularly in the performing arts—so these are pretty special.
“It feels pretty great to be able to offer two grant opportunities for individual artists this year,” noted Cheryl Chamblee, Executive Director of the CAC. “The pandemic continues to affect artists’ solvency, and their ability to do the kind of creative work that sustains us all. These grant funds can help.”
Artist Support Grants
This is our third year partnering with the fine folks at the NC Arts Council, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, Raleigh Arts, and other local arts councils to bring the Artist Support Grant to Chatham County artists. This Artist Support Grant is open to artists living in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, or Wake counties for at least one year. The NCAC has added a new eligibility requirement this year: Previous grantees must wait at least two cycles before reapplying for funding. If an artist has questions about this new eligibility requirement, please contact Kelly Schrader at United Arts. We encourage diverse and nontraditional artists to apply for the grant.
Individual grants will range in awards up to $1,500. Applications for the Artist Support Grants are available here. The deadline is Thursday, September 1, 2022.
An information session will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The session will include information about the guidelines and application with a time for questions. Participation is recommended, but not required. Register for the session here.
Emerging Artists Grant Program
The Emerging Artists Grant program provides financial support to developing or established professionals by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their careers as artists. Pivotal projects may happen at different stages of a career; therefore, Emerging Artists Grants are not restricted to unestablished artists. The Emerging Artists program is funded by The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation and the North Carolina Arts Council.
Unlike the Artist Support Grants program, applicants for the Emerging Artists Grant must be individuals, not ensembles or groups. Artists practicing any art form are eligible to apply for a grant up to $1,500. Applicants must have resided in Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, or Person Counties for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline. In addition, applicants must be at least 18 years old and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program in their art form at the time of the application deadline.
“At a time when so many artists are challenged to create new work and pioneer ways to reach their audiences, support from the Emerging Artists program is more important than ever,” explained Margaret DeMott, Director of Artist Services at the Durham Arts Council.
Applications for the Emerging Artists Grants will be available here August 1, 2022. The deadline is Friday, September 30, 2022. Information sessions will be held August 4, August 17, and September 7, 2022, all beginning at 6 p.m. To register and get the meeting link, contact Margaret DeMott at the Durham Arts Council.
ABOUT THE CHATHAM ARTS COUNCIL
The Chatham Arts Council nurtures creative thinkers in Chatham County. We do this in two ways: we invest in artists, and we educate kids through the arts. In its fortieth year as a nonprofit arts agency, Chatham Arts Council’s flagship programs include Meet This Artist, Go See This, artist grants, and the Arts for Resilient Kids Initiative – serving more than 4,500 children this year. Chatham Arts Council is proud to partner with the North Carolina Arts Council, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, Chatham County Schools, and numerous Chatham arts organizations, human resource nonprofits, and local businesses. For more information, visit www.ChathamArtsCouncil.org
CONTACT: Andrea Akin, Marketing + Public Relations Leader of the Chatham Arts Council, andrea@chathamartscouncil.org.
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