Overview

South Arts supports multiple funding programs through "SouthArts" Fund, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Click on the programs below to learn more about guidelines, criteria, deadlines and applications.


Regional Touring grants support performing arts presenting organizations for engagements by guest artists (theatre, music, opera, musical theatre and dance) from outside the presenter’s state. These touring funds support publicly accessible performances and educational activities that provide opportunities for people in underserved communities to participate in the arts. Annual application deadline: March 1, 2010.

NEW! Regional Touring Block-Booked Tours returns for 2010-2011, encouraging teams of three or more presenters in two or more South Arts states to block-book artists and ensembles. Eligible tours include publicly accessible performances and educational activities. Annual application deadline: March 8, 2010.

Literary Arts Touring grants support literary arts presenting organizations for engagements by guest writers (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry) from outside the presenter’s state. These touring funds support publicly accessible readings and educational activities that provide opportunities for people in underserved communities to participate in the arts. Annual application deadline: May 17, 2010.

Southern Fast Track Touring grants are aimed at smaller performing arts and literary arts presenters (annual operating budgets of $100,000 or less) to support engagements by guest artists from outside the presenter’s state. Publicly accessible performances/readings and education components which provide opportunities for people in underserved communities to participate in the arts are eligible. Deadline: Year-round, at least 60 days prior to the project’s start date.

Technical Assistance grants support performing and literary arts presenting organizations to contract with an outside consultant for intensive work to strengthen the applicant’s infrastructure and provide learning/impact that will stay with the organization after the consultancy ends. Deadline: Year-round, at least 60 days prior to the project’s start date.

Professional Development grants help enhance Southern arts organizations’ capacity through technical assistance and resources – specifically, professional development and travel subsidies to attend the 2010 Performing Arts Exchange in Pittsburgh, PA, September 29-October 2, 2010. The guidelines and link to the online application will be available on our Web site in spring 2010.

Special Initiatives: During the year, additional grant opportunities may become available to take advantage of new regional opportunities. Check back regularly to learn of new opportunities

Save paper! The guidelines, eligibility, review criteria and application questions are available under each grant category. However, if you would like to view the "SouthArts" Fund guidelines in their entirety, you can download them here:

2009-2010 Guidelines >>
NEW 2010-2011 Guidelines >>

Grantsmanship: Twenty Helpful Tips >>

National Endowment for the Arts

South Arts is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. As always, we would like to thank our nine partner state arts agencies for supporting and promoting the arts in the South.