Haywood County Arts Council Opens Applications for 2026–2027 Grassroots Arts Program Grants
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will begin accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) Grants on August 3, 2026. Eligible nonprofit organizations in Haywood County that provide arts programming are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2026. Please note that these grants are available to organizations only and are not open to individual artists.
Established by the North Carolina Arts Council in 1977, the Grassroots Arts Program provides funding to strengthen local arts efforts and expand access to the arts across the state. In Haywood County, the program is administered by the Haywood County Arts Council through funding from the North Carolina Arts Council. The Grassroots Arts Program helps nonprofit organizations provide meaningful arts experiences that enrich the quality of life in Haywood County. Individual grant awards typically range from $500 to $5,000.
"The Grassroots Arts Program is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the organizations that bring arts experiences to Haywood County," said Tonya Harwood, Executive Director of the Haywood County Arts Council. "These grants help nonprofits offer concerts, performances, exhibitions, classes, and other creative programs that bring our community together, inspire creativity, and make the arts accessible to people of all ages."
Grant funds may be used to support a variety of arts-related activities and organizational needs. Eligible expenses include artist and performer fees, exhibitions, concerts, marketing and promotional materials, equipment rentals, and other program costs. Funding may also assist with general operating expenses such as rent, utilities, staff salaries, office supplies, insurance, and modest capital improvements.
In 2025, HCAC awarded $21,645 in Grassroots funding to 10 Haywood County nonprofit organizations providing arts programming throughout the community.
Grant recipients are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match equal to the amount awarded. Documentation of matching funds must be included in the organization's final grant report.
Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel based on the following criteria:
● Artistic quality of the proposed project or program
● Community impact and public benefit
● Project feasibility
● Organizational stability and fiscal responsibility
Applications open August 3 and must be submitted by August 31, 2026. Award notifications will be made in late September, with grant funds distributed in October. Funded activities must be completed by June 30, 2027.
For application guidelines, eligibility requirements, and the online application, visit: https://haywoodarts.org/grants-funding/