South Arts FY2027 Southern Artist Spotlight Grants
The Southern Artist Spotlight program offers financial assistance to eligible Southern nonprofits and public agencies that present a professional artist from South Arts’ designated artist roster at community events. Individual grants are $1,000–$8,000 for dance or $1,000–$5,000 for film, theater, music, literary, folk/traditional and visual arts. These are applicant-level limits, not overall program appropriations.
Application window and matching funds
Applications opened April 15, 2026 and remain open on a rolling basis through April 30, 2027, subject to funds. Apply at least 60 days before the program begins. All eligible projects must occur between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Each grant may pay no more than 50% of the artist’s contracted fee, and the presenter must provide a 1:1 cash match; in-kind support does not satisfy the match. Minimum eligible total artist fee is $2,000. The grant does not cover unrelated overhead or other project expenses.
Eligible organizations and projects
Eligible applicant presenters include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, eligible tribal organizations, and public governmental entities based in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee, with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Libraries, schools, universities, community/cultural centers and museums may qualify as presenters. Individuals, for-profit organizations, fiscally sponsored applicants, and entities outside the region are not eligible. The proposed guest artist or ensemble must appear on South Arts’ approved Southern Artist Spotlight roster. Current South Arts grantees cannot duplicate funding for the same supported project.
Required programming and application
The funded project must include both a publicly accessible presentation (performance, exhibition, reading or film screening) and a meaningful artist-led educational/community engagement activity such as a workshop, lecture or discussion. Religious proselytizing, fundraisers, and programs without a public component are excluded. Submit one application per cycle via South Arts’ online Salesforce grants portal, documenting applicant status, UEI, artist agreement with fee, project dates, accessibility, publicity and other required details. Funding is contingent on availability; South Arts’ formal policies and reporting rules apply.
Official guidelines and application: https://www.southarts.org/grants-opportunities/southern-artist-spotlight-grant. Source verified November 6, 2026.