Skip to content
120 Morris St Downtown Durham
Catalyst Grants

Photo Credit: The School for Living Futures, 2024 grantee

Durham Arts Catalyst Grant Program

The Durham Arts Catalyst Grant Program is intended to provide access to quality arts experiences for the people of Durham by supporting arts projects in Durham. The Durham Arts Catalyst Grant Program is the appropriate choice for nonprofit organizations which do not have extensive experience with seeking grant support and are planning an arts activity. 
Catalyst Grants

Photo Credit: Bulldog Ensemble Theatre

Grant Eligibility

  • Applicant must be a non-profit organization with 501(c) 3 status based in Durham County and the proposed project must be held in Durham County. For FY23 we encourage arts nonprofits to apply for operating support.
  • The applicant may use a fiscal agent if the applicant does not have 501(c) 3 status. 
  • The applicant can be a cultural/humanities organization based in Durham, but the proposal must be for an arts activity.
  • Durham Arts Catalyst Grants may not be used to support fund-raising activities.
  • If your organization has already been funded through the Season Grant program, please continue to use the Season Grant application. Your organization may not apply to the Durham Arts Catalyst program if it has been funded previously by the DAC Season Grant Program. Organizations may receive up to two Durham Arts Catalyst Grants in a five-year period.

Grant Eligibility

  • Applicant must be a non-profit organization with 501(c) 3 status based in Durham County and the proposed project must be held in Durham County. For FY23 we encourage arts nonprofits to apply for operating support.
  • The applicant may use a fiscal agent if the applicant does not have 501(c) 3 status. 
  • The applicant can be a cultural/humanities organization based in Durham, but the proposal must be for an arts activity.
  • Durham Arts Catalyst Grants may not be used to support fund-raising activities.
  • If your organization has already been funded through the Season Grant program, please continue to use the Season Grant application. Your organization may not apply to the Durham Arts Catalyst program if it has been funded previously by the DAC Season Grant Program. Organizations may receive up to two Durham Arts Catalyst Grants in a five-year period.

Application Process

  • February 1, 2024

    Application Available 

  • February 6th, 2024

    Info Session 1, 6pm on Zoom

  • March 21, 2024

    Application Deadline

  • April-May, 2024

    Grant Panel reviews

  • June 2024

    Review and Approval by full DAC Board

  • July 2024

    Notification of award status

  • July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025

    Completion of Activities 

  • July 12, 2025

    Final Report due

New applicants to the Catalyst program must communicate with the Director of Artist Services before applying. For more information and to get a link to an information session email Margaret DeMott at mdemott@durhamarts.org.

Catalsyt Information Session recording here

Passcode: 3*O#9e.r

 

Application Process

  • February 1, 2024

    Application Available 

  • February 6th, 2024

    Info Session 1, 6pm on Zoom

  • March 21, 2024

    Application Deadline

  • April-May, 2024

    Grant Panel reviews

  • June 2024

    Review and Approval by full DAC Board

  • July 2024

    Notification of award status

  • July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025

    Completion of Activities 

  • July 12, 2025

    Final Report due

New applicants to the Catalyst program must communicate with the Director of Artist Services before applying. For more information and to get a link to an information session email Margaret DeMott at mdemott@durhamarts.org.

Catalsyt Information Session recording here

Passcode: 3*O#9e.r

Frequently Asked Questions

Who decides which artists receive awards?

A panel of area artists and arts professionals reviews and scores each application. The panel ranks the applications and recommends which should receive awards. The DAC Board of Trustees then must approve the recommendations of the panel for the process to be complete.

What criteria are applications judged on?

Each application will receive a numeric score for each of the criteria ranging from 1 to 5 (1 being lowest, 5 being highest).

  • Artistic quality of proposed project or programs
  • Community impact of project or programs
  • Ability to plan and implement project
  • Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization
  • Goals for diversity, equity, access and inclusion and strategies to achieve those goals
  • Partnership or collaboration between communities, neighborhoods, or organizations

What can I apply for?

You may apply for funds and/or for use of space in the Durham Arts Council building. You may request up to $3,000 cash. For FY23 we encourage nonprofit arts organizations to apply for operating support. Space grants vary, but most frequently include meeting, rehearsal and performance space. The Durham Arts Council building is a 52,000 sq. ft., city-owned, community arts center that contains spaces for dance, theatre and music rehearsals, meeting rooms, and performance spaces. As part of your Durham Arts Catalyst Grant request you may ask for use of these spaces for a particular project. There are fees associated with use of granted space in the building.

Catalyst Grants

Where does the money for Catalyst Grants come from?

The Durham Arts Catalyst Grant Program is funded by the gifts of private individuals and corporations to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund and by the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. In FY23 the program also includes state ARPA funds designated to be distributed through the Grassroots Arts Program. DAC does not require a specific match for a cash grant, however, we will look for evidence that the applicant has actively pursued more than one source for the resources needed and does not expect DAC to provide everything through this Durham Arts Catalyst Grant.NC arts council logo big

Still have questions?