Grassroots Grants Review
2026/2027
Subgrant Allotment
THANK YOU FOR SERVING!
Annual Arts Programming Support
Understanding the Grassroots Grants: The North Carolina Arts Council provides programming support to all counties in NC based on each county's population. Because Watauga County has a strong arts presence and more than 50,000 residents, we fall into the category that requires us to sub-grant half the award for outside arts programming. For 2026/2027, WAC will be awarded $43,192 from the NC Arts Grassroots Grant. We will keep $ 21,596 for operating expenses related to creating high-quality arts programs, and we will sub-grant $21,596 for outside programming led by community organizations and artists.
Read through all applications first to understand the full scope of requests.
Open the rate sheet and use it to guide you through your consideration of each grant. We will compile the responses to present to the discussion group.
Record/Write any questions or discussion topics for the panel meeting.
If you are able, attend the panelist discussion to help determine how to award the grant funds.
Grant Purpose
Since 1977, the N.C. 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 state counties primarily through partnerships with local arts councils
What the Grassroots Arts Program Funds
Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs or operate an arts organization.
Typical uses of Grassroots money include:
• Program expenses include professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, Website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music, and equipment rental.
• Operating expenses for qualified arts organizations not already receiving operating support from the N.C. Arts Council. These include salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance, and equipment rental.
Priorities for Funding
First priority: to provide operating or program support to qualified arts organizations not already receiving or eligible to receive support from the N.C. Arts Council. These include theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers’ groups, and arts festivals, among others.
Second priority: support arts learning and arts-in-education programs led by qualified artists. These can include artist residencies in schools, after-school or summer camps, or adult arts-learning classes.
Third priority: Grassroots Arts subgrants support local artists and community, civic, and municipal organizations. Qualified artists must conduct these programs.
How Subgrant Applications Are Evaluated
A diverse panel of community members reviews subgrant applications, including artists, county and public officials, and arts council board members, among others.
Subgrant guidelines and the following criteria:
•Artistic quality of proposed project or programs
•Community impact of project or programs
•Ability to plan and implement project
•Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization
Panelists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The subgrant panel then presents its funding decisions as recommendations to the Arts Council board of directors. The board of directors votes and finalizes the subgrant panel’s recommendations.
Additional Info
Policies and Restrictions
$21,596 = Total GR Programming
13 = Total number of Applicants
$35,207= Total Amount Requested
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 operation 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 that use qualified artists to conduct programs that involve the greater community. Grants may not support internal programs, administration, or operating expenses.
The following expenditures are prohibited
•Art, music, and dance therapists
•Artifacts
•Purchase artwork
•Purchase equipment or art supplies
•Capital expenditures or equipment •Contingency funds
•Deficit reduction
•Fundraising events
•Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
•School band activities or equipment
•School choral activities
•Lobbying expenses
•Oral history and history projects
•Tuition for academic study
•Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs