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.
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.
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.