Grant Opportunities

Grassroots Subgrant

Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1972, the Grassroots Arts Program provides arts funding to all 100 counties through an extensive network of local arts agencies and partner organizations. Funding is distributed on a modified per capita basis to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to high-quality arts experiences and can benefit from the vital role the arts play in their communities. The N.C. Arts Council collaborates with the Cleveland County Arts Council to receive and manage the Grassroots funds. A portion of these funds will be awarded to county organizations as subgrants.

Who is eligible to apply?

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, organizations that are nonprofit in nature, and individuals are eligible to apply for subgrants.

The first priority for awarding subgrants is to provide program or operating support to qualified arts organizations (where they exist), such as theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writer’s groups, and arts festivals. Subgrants of Grassroots funds may not be awarded to arts organizations that already receive operating support directly from the N.C. Arts Council.

The second priority for subgranting Grassroots funds is to support arts learning and arts-in-education programs conducted by qualified artists. These can be artist residencies in schools, after-school programs, summer camps, or adult arts learning classes. Grassroots funds may not be used for activities associated with a school’s internal arts programs such as in-school student performances, the purchase of supplies, or student art competitions and publications. 

The third priority for awarding subgrants is to support other community and civic organizations that provide arts experiences for the greater community. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists.

Timeline for applying for a Grassroots Subgrant:

  • July 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026- Applications available on the Cleveland County Arts Council website

  • July 31, 2026- All Subgrant applications due

  • July 23, 2026, 2:00pm at the Cleveland County Arts Council- Janelle Weinke, from the N.C. Arts Council, will provide an information session on the subgrant application process. This is a free information session. Any organization who plans to apply for a subgrant is encouraged to attend. RSVP to this EVENT

  • August 1, 2026 - September 2, 2026- Subgrant applications will be reviewed by a panel

  • September 15, 2026 - September 25, 2026- Subgrant Recipients will be notified by email and letter of their award.

  • September 25, 2026 - October 15, 2026- Subgrant recipients submit required information. Awards are distributed.

 

Artists in Schools Grant

The Artists in Schools Grant provides funding for creative projects that integrate the arts into classroom learning or enhance arts education in Cleveland County schools.
Teachers and administrators from Pre-K through 12th grade are eligible to apply.