Emerging Artists Program (EAP)

Emerging Artists Program (EAP) is sponsored by Durham Arts Council. The Emerging Artists Program provides financial support to developing or established artists for projects pivotal to their career advancement. This can include various art forms and is not restricted to unestablished artists.

Emerging Artists Program - Durham Arts Council 120 Morris St Downtown Durham Class + Camp Registration Photo Credit: David Benarroch, 2024 grantee Em er ging Artists Grant Program The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) is a project grant program that provides financial support to developing or established professionals by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their careers as artists.

Pivotal projects may happen at different stages of a career, therefore Emerging Artists Grants are not restricted to unestablished artists. The Emerging Artists program is funded by The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation , the Kelley Katzenmeyer Fund, the Anika James Foundation , the DAC Annual Arts Fund , and it is supported by our Partner Counties (Chatham, Orange, and Person). Emerging Artists FY26 Cycle is Closed.

Applications for FY27 will Open October 2026. Em er ging Artists Grant Program The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) is a project grant program that provides financial support to developing or established professionals by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their careers as artists. Pivotal projects may happen at different stages of a career, therefore Emerging Artists Grants are not restricted to unestablished artists.

The Emerging Artists program is funded by The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation , the Kelley Katzenmeyer Fund, the Anika James Foundation , the DAC Annual Arts Fund , and it is supported by our Partner Counties (Chatham, Orange, and Person). Emerging Artists FY26 Cycle is Closed. Applications for FY27 will Open October 2026.

This program is open to individual artists, not ensembles or groups. Artists can practice any art form. Artists must have resided in Chatham, Durham, Granvill, Orange, or Person Counties (North Carolina) for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline.

Artists must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program in their art form at the time of the application deadline. This program is open to individual artists, not ensembles or groups. Artists can practice any art form.

Artists must have resided in Chatham, Durham, Granvill, Orange, or Person Counties (North Carolina) for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program in their art form at the time of the application deadline.

Emerging Artists FY26 Cycle is Closed Applications for FY27 will open October 2026 Frequently Asked Questions Who decides which artists receive awards? Grant applications and support materials are reviewed by local professional artists in each art form. Their comments are then forwarded to the EAP Panel who reviews applications, recommendations and then makes the final award.

What are they looking for? The Emerging Artists Grant Committee is interested in assisting the development of an artist’s career as is appropriate to the particular artist’s needs, so be sure to define clearly the relationship of your project to your career development.

In the past, grant awards have provided funds for the following types of expenses: Promotion/Presentation: the cost of producing a demonstration CD for a composer, a DVD for a choreographer, a portfolio for a graphic artist, editorial assistance for a writer, etc. Travel: to specific workshops, auditions, retreats or seminars; or to do research intrinsic to his/her art form.

Services: rental of equipment or facilities for presentation or creation of a new work. Supplies: purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of a new work which is considered by the artist to be essential to her/his career. Training: advanced workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the artist’s abilities.

This program does not support work towards a degree. What is the grant amount? Maximum grant award is $1500, but applications can be for any amount up to that maximum.

The Emerging Artists Program is funded by The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation , the Anika James Foundation , the Kelley Katzenmeyer Fund, the DAC Annual Arts Fund , and it is supported by our Partner Counties (Chatham, Granville, Orange, and Person). What criteria are applications judged on?

Overall excellence of the applicant’s art work and demonstration of exceptional talent The applicant’s serious professional commitment to her/his art form Contribution of the proposed project to the artist’s professional development Feasibility of the proposed project For more tips on writing your Emerging Artists Grant, click here!