The Grants and Development’s committee seeks to educate the community on available grants and how to apply to receive grant funding for your program.
The Brunswick Arts Council also participates in the Region 6 Artist Support Grant program for New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen, and Columbus counties. This program is administered by the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County. This year they received 66 applications requesting a total of $60,468.31. The panel awarded 27 artists a total of $25,039.31.
FY 2025-2026 Artist Support Grant
Winners from Brunswick County
6 of the Artist Supports Grants were from Brunswick County. Congratulations to:
Breanna Burge -$ 1000 – Brunswick – Visual
Produce gallery block, metal and acrylic prints of existing collections
Kady Devaun -$ 1000 – Brunswick – Visual
Purchase pottery wheel
Brenden Emmerson -$ 750 – Brunswick – Visual
Upgrade equipment, buy materials for travel to venues, and marketing
Carol Gardner -$ 892.56 – Brunswick – Visual
Supplies for Sculpture and Functional Pottery
Lemuel Heida -$ 1000 – Brunswick – Visual
Hand-fabricating a kinetic light sculpture to exhibit a stop-motion film
Stephen Merriam -$ 1000 – Brunswick – Visual
Professional-grade carving tools and supplies to create three large-scale sculptures
APPLICATION CYCLE FOR ARTIST SUPPORT GRANTS IS CLOSED FOR FY 2025-2026
What is the North Carolina Artist Support Grant?
The N.C. Arts Council created the program to provide funding to regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to exceptional artists in our region. The grants support professional artists in any discipline and at any stage in their careers to pursue projects that further their artistic and professional development. The program builds upon the former Regional Artist Project Grant Program, funding the professional and artistic development of emerging or established artists so they can create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. The Artist Support Grant program is a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and the state’s extensive local arts council network. The Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover administers the grant for New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Columbus, and Bladen counties.
What types of activities can an Artist Support Grant fund?
The grants may be used for artistic and professional development, such as:
- Creation of new work
- Purchase of equipment and materials
- Professional development workshops
- Travel support for expenses associated with a professional opportunity such as participating in an exhibition or conference,
- Development or upgrading of promotional materials such as brochures, websites,
- 50% artist fees are allowable expenses
Who is eligible to apply for an Artist Support Grant?
Artists in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Columbus, and Bladen counties are encouraged to apply for up to $1000 for projects which will occur from October 1, 2025 – December 2026.
- Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to
- Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in the region for at least one year before the application deadline. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.
- Multiple Awards — Artists who have received funding in or since FY2024–2025 are ineligible to apply this year.
- Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, nonstudent artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete applications must be submitted online to grants@artswilmington.org with the subject line ASG 2025-2026 or postmarked and mailed to 221 N. Front St., Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28401 by Monday, September 17, 20254. Applications submitted to any other email address will not be considered.