Technical Assistance Grant

Reminder: Please review general grant eligibility and guidelines before proceeding.

    About

    This category provides funds to North Carolina-based organizations to hire knowledgeable consultants to strengthen management and programs, sponsor workshops or conferences, develop a resource publication, or engage in community cultural planning. Applications are made available upon request and are received on a rolling deadline. 

    Application dates

    • Grants are awarded on a rolling deadline beginning: September 1, 2022
    • Applications must be received no later than: April 1, 2023

    Grant amount

    • Range: $500 to $5,000

    Who may apply

    To be eligible for Arts Council funding, organizations:

    1. Must be a nonprofit organization;
    2. Must have been producing quality arts programs for at least two consecutive years;
    3. Must have prior-year organizational cash operating expenses of at least $20,000. 

    Please review our general grant eligibility and guideline for additional details. 

    Scope and allowable expenses

    Grant funds can be used to:

    • Hire knowledgeable consultants to strengthen an organization's management and programs or conduct planning meetings for a specific project
    • Sponsor workshops or conferences that provide professional support to the larger arts sector
    • Develop a resource publication that provides professional support to the larger arts sector
    • Develop a community-wide cultural plan
    • Provide scholarships to send staff members to conferences, workshops or short-term programs (available on a limited basis) 
    • Fund other related expenses

    Grant amounts range from $500 to $5,000, with most grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,000. Grants are generally matched dollar for dollar by the applicant except in cases of demonstrated need. Generally, organizations may receive no more than one management/ technical assistance grant per year.

    Project period

    Technical Assistance grants are awarded on a rolling deadline beginning on September 1, 2022. Applications must be received in our office at least nine weeks before funds are needed but no later than April 1, 2023. All funds must be spent by June 30, 2023.

    How we make funding decisions

    The Arts Council reviews all applications and makes funding decisions based on the following criteria:

    • Potential effectiveness of the consultation, publication, conference, or workshop
    • Potential impact on organization, community, or intended audience
    • Credentials of proposed consultant/facilitators
    • Need for services
    • Evidence of community support and involvement for cultural planning development 

    Application information

    Applicants should contact the appropriate North Carolina Arts Council staff to discuss the proposed idea. If the application proposal meets the criteria and funds are available, the applicant will proceed to submit an application through the GO Smart grant portal. New users to the grant portal will need to create a profile before applying for the grant.

    Staff contact

    Dara Silver
    Senior Program Director 
    (919) 814-6531
    dara.silver@ncdcr.gov

    Vacant
    Theater & Literature Director 
    Contact Senior Program Director Dara Silver for assistance in theater and literature.

    Jamie Katz Court
    Music and Dance Director 
    (919) 814-6502
    jamie.katzcourt@ncdcr.gov

    Kathleen Collier
    Arts in Education Director & Accessibility Coordinator
    (919) 814-6515
    kathleen.collier@ncdcr.gov

    Zoe van Buren
    Folklife Director
    (828) 250-3123
    zoe.vanburen@ncdcr.gov

    Janelle Wienke
    Arts in Communities Director
    (919) 814-6506
    janelle.wienke@ncdcr.gov


    Grant Application Assistance

    North Carolina Arts Council staff are here to assist with grant applications. Visit our application assistance page for resources and grants staff contact information. 

    Accessibility

    For accessibility questions or accommodation requests, please contact the North Carolina Arts Council's Arts in Education Director & Accessibility Coordinator, Kathleen Collier, at kathleen.collier@ncdcr.gov or 919-814-6515.