The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Grassroots Arts Program grants.
Applications are open through Sept. 5, 2025. Local nonprofit arts organizations and arts programs are encouraged to apply. This grant opportunity is not open to individuals.
Established in 1977 by the North Carolina Arts Council, the GAP program supports both programming and general operations for arts groups across the state. In Haywood County, this funding opportunity is made possible through a partnership between the Haywood County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council. Grant awards typically range from $500 to $5,000.
Eligible expenses include costs related to artistic programming, such as artist fees, publicity, musical performances and equipment rental. Operating support can also be covered, including rent, utilities, staff salaries, office supplies and small-scale capital improvements. In 2024, eight local arts nonprofits received a combined $26,023 in GAP funding through HCAC.
Please note, all grant recipients must provide a 1-to-1 cash match for the amount awarded. A list of these matching funds is required and must be included in the final grant report.
Applications will be evaluated by a panel using eight review criteria: completeness, feasibility, organizational health, community accessibility, alignment with arts and culture, multicultural relevance, regional impact and artistic merit. No matching funds are required for this grant.
The submission deadline is Sept. 5, with funding decisions announced in late September or early October. Funds will be distributed in October, and supported projects should be completed by June 30, 2026.
To apply and learn more about eligibility, visit haywoodarts.org/grants-funding.