Creative Spaces Grants
The Durham Arts Council’s new Creative Spaces Grants expand access to our facilities through three distinct opportunities designed to support artists and arts organizations at every stage of their work. Creative Hours provide short-term, flexible space for rehearsals, meetings, and closed creative use. Creative Residencies offer sustained, annual facility support for nonprofit arts organizations with ongoing space needs. Creative Showcases support public-facing performances, presentations, and pop-up exhibits that invite the community to experience and engage with the arts. Together, these grants ensure DAC’s spaces remain accessible, vibrant, and responsive to the creative life of Durham.
2026 Creative Spaces Grant Opportunities
Creative Hours Grant (Pilot Program)
Short-term access to DAC spaces for closed projects such as rehearsals, planning sessions, meetings, and private work time. During the pilot period this will allow short-term access of 20 hours (between February 1 – May 31).
- All Creative Hour requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the first date requested.
Deadline
Rolling application deadline
How to Apply
Read the Grant Guidelines
Creative Residency Grant (Pilot Program)
Annual grants (more than 60hrs.) to provide space for organization operations including office space, meeting space, rehearsals, and storage if appropriate. Open to nonprofit arts organizations based in Durham.
Deadline
Round 1 deadline April 15
How to Apply
Read the Grant Guidelines
Creative Showcase Grant (Previously Facility Grants)
Grants that provide space for public events like performances, presentations, or pop-up exhibits. Open to individual artists or nonprofit arts organizations based in Durham.
- Creative Showcase grants requesting the PSI Theatre must be submitted 120 days before the first day of event. Due to administrative procedures and theatre tech needs, any requests sent earlier will not be considered. All other Creative Showcase requests must be 2 weeks before the first date requested.
Deadline
Rolling Deadline
How to Apply
Read the Grant Guidelines