Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.
South Arts Inc’s largest recent awards are the $157,500 Southern Cultural Treasures Grants, a clear signal that the foundation backs Southern cultural institutions, artists, and traditions at meaningful scale. In 2024, that grant tier reached groups such as Colour of Music Inc in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta; and Jazzarts Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. The pattern points to a funder centered on arts infrastructure and cultural continuity across the South rather than isolated one-off support. Their portfolio includes performing arts, jazz touring and residencies, traditional and folk arts, film, artist fellowships, and professional development for arts administrators and presenters. The foundation also supports community engagement and creative placemaking, with grants tied to public presentation and educational components. Recent awards show activity across both established cultural organizations and programs serving artists and regional audiences, including the Black Appalachian storytelling tradition, Central Appalachian folk arts, and Southern dance and jazz initiatives. South Arts Inc’s grantmaking is regional, with a nine-state service area that shapes much of its program design and audience reach.
A major thread in South Arts Inc’s work is cultural preservation. In 2024, it gave $157,500 to the Catawba Indian Nation in Rock Hill, South Carolina, through Southern Cultural Treasures Grants, alongside awards to organizations such as Mississippi Center for Cultural Production in Utica, Mississippi and Junebug Productions Inc in New Orleans. Another focus is Appalachian folk and traditional culture. The foundation awarded $30,000 to Hindman Settlement School Inc in Hindman, Kentucky through In These Mountains: Project Grants and $25,000 to Junior Appalachian Musicians Inc in Independence, Virginia through the same program line. It also supports jazz artist development and touring. Jazz Road Creative Residencies provide grants from $5,000 to $40,000, while Jazz Road Tours fund three- to six-site tours, often in rural and underserved communities. Professional capacity building appears as well: South Arts Inc awarded $44,200 to Appalachian State University2 in Boone, North Carolina for In These Mountains work tied to the Cargill grant cycle.
Typical awards are modest and project-specific: the grant-size distribution sits at p25 $6,694, median $8,075, and p75 $10,800. The portfolio includes both very small awards, such as Express Grants up to $3,000, and larger program grants, including In These Mountains: Infrastructure Grants at $30,000 and Jazz Road Creative Residencies up to $40,000. Recent grants show repeated support to some organizations across years, including North Carolina Arts Council Foundation, Appalachian State University2, and Junior Appalachian Musicians Inc. The foundation is not a fund for individuals, but several programs are artist-centered in structure. Many active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Arts Admin Essentials, Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships, In These Mountains: Project Grants, and Jazz Road Tours.
$3.3M
$16.8M
$9.4M
$8.7M
Most grants fall between $7K and $11K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$11K
About 8% of grants go to recipients in GA.
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South Arts Inc gives regionally, with 229 grants recorded to U.S. recipients. Georgia is the top state by grant count, though only 8% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards reached cities across the South, including Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, Birmingham, and Raleigh. The foundation’s program geography also extends beyond its core nine-state service area in some programs, such as Jazz Road, which can reach the United States and U.S. territories.
Its active programs cover visual and performing arts, jazz touring and residencies, traditional and folk arts, artist fellowships, creative placemaking, and professional development for arts administrators and presenters. Recent grants also show support for film, Southern dance, and community-engaged presentations.
Typical awards are in the low five figures: p25 is $6,694, the median is $8,075, and p75 is $10,800. Some programs go smaller, such as Express Grants up to $3,000, while others reach $30,000 or $40,000.
Yes, for several active programs. Arts Admin Essentials, Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships, In These Mountains: Project Grants, In These Mountains: Infrastructure Grants, Professional Development and Artistic Planning Grants, Presentation Grants, Jazz Road Tours, Jazz Road Creative Residencies, and Express Grants all accept unsolicited applications.
Grantmaking is regional, with 229 grants to U.S. recipients in the data. Georgia is the top state by grant count, and cities such as Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, Birmingham, and Raleigh appear among recent recipients.
Yes. Artist Creative Practice Grants support individual artists’ professional development and career milestones, and Jazz Road Creative Residencies provide grants directly to professional jazz artists for self-defined residency activities.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Current and upcoming funding from South Arts that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to arts organizations in the South Arts region with operating budgets of $500,000 or less.
Deadline: Rolling deadline through April 30, 2027.
Who can apply: Arts and community organizations presenting Southern artists from the South Arts roster.
Deadline: Rolling deadline through April 30, 2027.
Who can apply: Applicant must be a tax-exempt nonprofit, governmental entity, or federally recognized tribal community based in South Arts' nine-state region; must be a presenter/presenting organization; must have a UEI; and must provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Applications are for new opportunities only and must be submitted at least 60 days before activities begin.
Deadline: Applications open May 15, 2024 and are accepted on a rolling basis; projects must occur between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Who can apply: Organizations in rural, isolated, or small communities in South Arts' nine-state region; must present a Southern artist; have a UEI; provide 1:1 cash match. See guidelines for full eligibility.
Deadline: Rolling deadline through April 30, 2026 (as cited).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EFFORTS OF GRACE INC | NEW ORELEANS, LA | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| TRUE COLORS THEATRE COMPANY | ATLANTA, GA | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| JAZZARTS CHARLOTTE | CHARLOTTE, NC | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRODUCTION | UTICA, MS | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| OTIS REDDING FOUNDATION | MACON, GA | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| COLOUR OF MUSIC INC | MT PLEASANT, SC | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| JUNEBUG PRODUCTIONS INC | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| COLLAGE DANCE COLLECTIVE | MEMPHIS, TN | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| DEEP CENTER INCORPORATED | SAVANNAH, GA | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| BB KING MUSEUM & DELTA INTERPRETIVE CNT | INDIANOLA, MS | $157,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| DIASPORA VIBE CULTURAL ARTS INCUBATOR | MIAMI, FL | $118,586 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| BALLETHNIC DANCE COMPANY INC | EAST POINT, GA | $117,500 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| TEATRO AVANTE INC | MIAMI, FL | $115,750 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| CATAWBA INDIAN NATION | ROCK HILL, SC | $105,627 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| ART2ACTION | NEW YORK, NY | $88,523 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $83,640 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| ASIA INSTITUTE INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $77,662 | 2024 | SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS |
| APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY2 | BOONE, NC | $44,200 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL FOUNDATION | RALEIGH, NC | $40,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL INC | HINDMAN, KY | $30,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| NEW DIALECT | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2024 | SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON |
| DIMENSIONS DANCE THEATER OF MIAMI | MIAMI, FL | $30,000 | 2024 | SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON |
| KENTUCKY ARTS COUNCIL | FRANKFORT, KY | $26,440 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| ALABAMA DANCE COUNCIL INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $26,000 | 2024 | SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON |
| WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $25,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS INC | INDEPENDENCE, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $24,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | JOHNSON CITY, TN | $19,400 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIV | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $18,000 | 2024 | SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON |
| CITY OF CHARLESTON | CHARLESTON, SC | $17,000 | 2024 | FY23 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS |
| PINE MOUNTAIN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL | BLEDSOE, KY | $16,500 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION | NASHVILLE, TN | $16,300 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLIFE INSTITUTE | DUNHAM, NC | $16,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| APPALSHOP INC | WHITESBURG, KY | $15,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | BOWLING GREEN, KY | $12,000 | 2024 | IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2 |
| HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY INC | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC | $12,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| CAROLINA PERFORMING ARRTS | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $12,000 | 2024 | SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON |
| VAUGHN NEWMAN DANCE | GREENVILLE, SC | $11,250 | 2024 | FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS |
| RIVERRUN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| MONDO BIZARRO PRODUCTIONS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2024 | FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS |
| PAT CONROY LITERARY CENTER INC | BEAUFORT, SC | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| BULLETS AND BANDAIDS | COLUMBIA, SC | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| AFTER SCHOOL FILM INSTITUTE INC | NORTH MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| ALABAMA WRITERS' FORUM INC | MONTGOMERY, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LITERARY ARTS | CHARLOTTE, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| ROBERT W WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER DBA ALLIANCE THEATRE | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS |
| GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL | WINTER PARK, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| THE FOX THEATRE | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2024 | FY23 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS |
| DOWNTOWN WINSTON-SALEM COMMUNITY CINEMA | WINSTON SALEM, NC | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
| SIDEWALK FILM CENTER AND CINEMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | NEA CARES - ARP |
EFFORTS OF GRACE INC
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
TRUE COLORS THEATRE COMPANY
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
JAZZARTS CHARLOTTE
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR CULTURAL PRODUCTION
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
OTIS REDDING FOUNDATION
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
COLOUR OF MUSIC INC
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
JUNEBUG PRODUCTIONS INC
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
COLLAGE DANCE COLLECTIVE
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
DEEP CENTER INCORPORATED
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
BB KING MUSEUM & DELTA INTERPRETIVE CNT
$157,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
DIASPORA VIBE CULTURAL ARTS INCUBATOR
$118,586SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
BALLETHNIC DANCE COMPANY INC
$117,500SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
TEATRO AVANTE INC
$115,750SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
$105,627SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
ART2ACTION
$88,523SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME
$83,640SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
ASIA INSTITUTE INC
$77,662SOUTHERN CULTURAL TREASURES GRANTS
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY2
$44,200IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
NORTH CAROLINA ARTS COUNCIL FOUNDATION
$40,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
HINDMAN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL INC
$30,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
NEW DIALECT
$30,000SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON
DIMENSIONS DANCE THEATER OF MIAMI
$30,000SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON
KENTUCKY ARTS COUNCIL
$26,440NEA CARES - ARP
ALABAMA DANCE COUNCIL INC
$26,000SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC
$25,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
JUNIOR APPALACHIAN MUSICIANS INC
$25,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS INC
$24,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$19,400IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
FLORIDA STATE UNIV
$18,000SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON
CITY OF CHARLESTON
$17,000FY23 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS
PINE MOUNTAIN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL
$16,500IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION
$16,300IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLIFE INSTITUTE
$16,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
APPALSHOP INC
$15,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC
$12,000IN THESE MOUNTAINS - CARGILL GRANT #2
HILTON HEAD CHORAL SOCIETY INC
$12,000NEA CARES - ARP
CAROLINA PERFORMING ARRTS
$12,000SOUTHERN DANCE TOURS - MELLON
VAUGHN NEWMAN DANCE
$11,250FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS
RIVERRUN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
MONDO BIZARRO PRODUCTIONS
$10,000FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS
PAT CONROY LITERARY CENTER INC
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
BULLETS AND BANDAIDS
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
AFTER SCHOOL FILM INSTITUTE INC
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
ALABAMA WRITERS' FORUM INC
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LITERARY ARTS
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
ROBERT W WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER DBA ALLIANCE THEATRE
$10,000FY22 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS
GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
THE FOX THEATRE
$10,000FY23 SA/NEA TOURING PROGRAMS
DOWNTOWN WINSTON-SALEM COMMUNITY CINEMA
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
SIDEWALK FILM CENTER AND CINEMA
$10,000NEA CARES - ARP
