individual artist career opportunity grants

South Arts recognizes that more than an invitation to participate in a significant milestone opportunity is required. Even with stipends or payments, overall expenses can make such an opportunity inaccessible. South Arts offers Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants to ensure that artists from our region can take advantage of significant opportunities.

The Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grant supports a milestone opportunity in an artist's career that will likely lead to substantial career advancement. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for opportunities taking place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025 (FY25)

Individuals receiving this award are eligible to apply for other South Arts funding (including the Southern Prize and State Fellowships, Jazz Road, and others) for projects unrelated to the IACOG activity. However, you may not use South Arts' funds as a match for this program.

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Artists with disabilities, artists who are Black, Indigenous, or Other Persons of Color (BIPOC), and those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) are encouraged to apply.

Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants is a competitive grant program, and South Arts expects to award between 10 and 15 grants during this cycle.

Eligible Opportunities

Examples of opportunities that match the intent of this program include, but are not limited to, curated invitations to participate in:

• SOLO or GROUP EXHIBITIONS at recognized national or international galleries or museums.
• SELL, PRESENT, OR PERFORM original work at a significant in-person forum, such as a major festival of renown, a juried showcase, or similar.
• SCREENINGS and panels associated with Media Arts projects.
• ARTIST RESIDENCIES for research or to create a body of work and build national and/or international networks.
• TRAVEL that is associated with a significant career-building activity.

Examples of opportunities that do NOT match the intent of this program:

• Opportunities that support and advance the career of groups of artists such as musical bands, dance groups, or theatre companies. This program is for individual artists only.
• Cataloging, publication, documentation, promotion, or archiving of a body of work.
• Undertaking advanced study, an apprenticeship with an influential artist, or other master classes.
• Activities that support participation in a college or university degree program.
• General performance showcases at booking conferences.
• General professional development activities like attendance at professional conferences or workshops.

Other types of eligible opportunities not listed here exist. The applicant must make a solid and compelling case for the opportunity's importance and its likely impact on their career.