Grassroots Arts Program Funding

Henderson County government will temporarily serve as a partner to the North Carolina Arts Council and administer sub-grants as part of the Grassroots Arts Program Grant Funding for the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year.

NC Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program

Since 1977, the NC Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program distributes funds for the arts in all 100 counties of the state, primarily through partnerships with local arts councils.

Learn more about the NC Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program on the NC Arts Council page.

Important Facts

• Henderson County will receive $79,554.00 in state funding to subgrant for this opportunity.
• State grant funds require a dollar-for-dollar match by grant awardees.
• Awardees must complete projects and spend all funds, including matching funds, by June 30, 2026.
• Application Window: August 15 to September 15, 2025.
• (Optional) Virtual Applicant Workshop: August 19, 2025 from 1:00-2:00pm (RSVP required to attend).
• Award contracts are estimated to be sent out in October 2025.
• View the full Grassroots Arts Program Guidebook

Eligibility

• All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. While nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also apply.
• All organizations must carry out projects within Henderson County.
• Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds, only organizations.
• Applications and support materials must be completed and received by September 15, 2025 by 5:00pm.
• All projects must take place between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
• Grant amounts range from $1000 and up.

How to Apply

• Use the fillable PDF version of the GAP Subgrant Application to apply. Or download the GAP Subgrant Application to print it out.
• Application Window: August15 to September 15, 2025
• Virtual Sub-grantee Application Workshop (Optional): August 19, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 pm via ZOOM
  • RSVP for a Meeting Invite to this email address: GrassRootsArtGrant@hendersoncountync.gov
  • Once you RSVP, you will be emailed a link to the webinar.
  • If you cannot make the webinar please review the Application Workshop presentation here.
• Applications and Questions: 
• Email completed application to: GrassRootsArtGrant@hendersoncountync.gov  OR
• Mail or drop off paper applications to:

  County Manager’s Office
  ATTN: Grants Administrator/Grassroots Arts Program
  1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville, NC 28792

Questions can also be emailed to the NC Arts Council directly.

What the Grassroots Arts Program Funds

Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs. Existing arts organizations may apply for limited operating funds.

Typical Uses of Grassroots Funds

• Program expenses such as professional artists' fees and travel, space rental, marketing, advertising, costumes, sets, props, and equipment rental.
• Limited operating expenses for qualified arts organizations not already receiving operating support from the NC. Arts Council only.
• Examples:
  • Performances
  • Festivals
  • Arts camps and after-school programs
  • Artist residencies for K-12 schools
  • Marketing expenses for art walks and studio tours
  • Royalties, props, sets and costumes for theater performances
  • Equipment rental for arts programming
  • Space rental for arts programming

Grassroots Arts Program Funds MAY NOT BE USED for...

• Individual applicants
• Art, music, and dance therapists
• Purchase artwork
• Capital expenditures
• Purchase equipment or art supplies
• Technical assistance
• Oral history and history projects
• Fundraising events
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• Internal school programs such as: band activities, equipment or choral activities
• Prizes, competitions, scholarships, tuition or financial awards
• Interest on loans, fines, deficit reduction, or litigation costs

Requirements for Sub-grant Awardees

• Match Requirement: All sub-grantees must match their State grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. Other NC Arts Council grant funds cannot be used as a match.
• Time Period: All projects must be completed and all funds, including matching funds, spent by June 30, 2025. Unspent funds must be returned.
• Contract: Sign a sub-grant contract with Henderson County government.
• NC Arts Council Logo: All subgrant recipients are required to prominently display the North Carolina Arts Council logo with tagline and credit lines on-site at funded events and in all digital and printed publicity materials including websites, electronic newsletters, and in as many materials and places as possible. Access the NC Arts Council Logo and Branding Materials page.
• Thank You Letters: Send letters or emails to NC Legislative Representatives thanking them for their support of the Grassroots Art's Program and how the funds were spent to benefit the arts community in Henderson County.
• Final Report: Sub-grantees must submit a Final Report with the following:
  • Examples of marketing materials used for the project or other printed materials using the North Carolina Arts Council credit line and logo.
  • Copies of letters or emails sent to thank legislators for their support of the Grassroots Arts Program.
  • See the GAP Subgrant Final Report (PDF)

Priorities for Grassroots and Arts Program Funding

1. To provide operating or program support to qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible to receive support from the NC Arts Council. These include theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers' groups and arts festivals, among others.
2. To support arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists. These can be artist residencies in schools, after-school or summer camps or adult arts learning classes.
3. Community, civic and municipal organizations that provide high-quality arts experiences for the greater community. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists.

NC Arts Council Funding Policies

• Tribal organizations that receive Grassroots funds must represent state or federally recognized tribes.
• Colleges, universities and libraries may receive grants for arts programs that are community-based or generate regional arts involvement. Grants may not support their internal programs, administration or operating expenses (library books, band boosters, equipment purchases).
• Grassroots funds may not be awarded to individuals or to organizations for prizes, competitions, tuition, or financial rewards.
• Grassroots funds may not be used for art supplies or equipment.
• Religious organizations or churches may not receive Grassroots funds unless the programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community and do not contain religious content.
• 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 art supplies, or student arts competitions and publications.
• Municipalities (city/county governments) may receive grants for arts programs which use qualified artists to conduct programs that involve the greater community. Grants may not support internal programs, administration or operating expenses.