Arts in Rural Places
Supports rural Southern communities in hosting public arts events and educational activities featuring Southern guest artists across multiple disciplines.
Funder: South Arts
Due Dates: April 15, 2026 (Applications open) | Rolling (applications accepted until funds are expended; submit at least 60 days before project start)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000 per project (requires 1:1 cash match); awards support artist fees only.
Summary: Supports rural, isolated, and small communities in the South to host public arts programming and educational/community engagement activities featuring Southern artists.
Key Information: Projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027; funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Description
This grant program is designed to increase access to high-quality arts experiences for rural, isolated, or small communities (population 50,000 or less) in the nine-state South Arts region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Funding supports projects that feature Southern guest artists (including film, traditional, visual, performing, or literary arts) and require at least two public-facing activities: a public presentation (such as a performance, screening, reading, or exhibition) and an educational or community engagement activity (such as a workshop, demonstration, lecture, or master class). The program emphasizes artistic excellence, community engagement, and strengthening the Southern arts ecosystem.
