The Arts in Rural Places Grants support rural and isolated communities (communities that are geographically isolated or isolated due to socioeconomic factors, out-migration, education gaps, and/or lack of infrastructure) as well as small cities with populations of 50,000 people or less with expedited grants of up to $3,000. To be eligible for funding, applicants must program arts experiences featuring a Southern artist. The project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities with a minimum of two hours of artist engagement in the community.

Arts in Rural Places Grants are an opportunity for organizations in South Arts' nine-state region to receive artist fee support to engage Southern guest film directors, traditional, visual, and performing artists, or writers from inside or outside of the presenter's state. Artist fee support is awarded for:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a nonprofit or official unit of government of local, county, or state government based in South Arts' nine-state service area (AL, FL, GA, KYU, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN);
• Be in a rural, isolated, or small community (these are communities that are geographically isolated, communities isolated due to socioeconomic factors, out-migration, education gaps, and/or lack of infrastructure, or cities with populations of 50,000 people or less); and
• Engage a professional artist or ensemble who resides within South Arts' nine-state service area.

A full list of eligibility criteria and other project requirements is provided on the grant website.

Match Requirement

Applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date.

Applications must be submitted to the South Arts grant management system.

Contact

New applicants are encouraged to contact program director Nikki Estes at 404-874-7244 x816 to discuss eligibility before applying.

Dates & Deadlines

• Applications open on July 16, 2025 and are accepted on a rolling basis.
• Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date.
• Projects must take place between October 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.