Johnston County Arts Council is now accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 5pm. Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Johnston County Arts Council serves as the North Carolina Arts Council’s partner in awarding subgrants to local organizations for arts programs in Johnston County. The Grassroots Arts Program aims to enrich the cultural life of North Carolina’s communities through the support of local arts programming that provides opportunities for every resident to experience the arts.

Applications are available for non-profit organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming in Johnston County. Funding priority is given to qualified arts organizations (theaters, galleries, choral societies, festivals), arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists, and other community organizations that provide arts programs in the county. Grassroots funds are not generally awarded to arts organizations that receive funding through the North Carolina Arts Council’s General Support Program. Projects must occur between July 1, 2009– May 15, 2010.

To be eligible for funding, non-profit organizations must be located within Johnston County. Programs will be evaluated for organizational stability, ability to generate 1:1 matching funds, audience development (size and cultural diversity), artistic quality, responsiveness to the community’s artistic needs and community outreach.

Application forms and grant guidelines are available on the Johnston County Arts Council website at www.johnstoncountyarts.org or may be picked up at the Johnston County Arts Council office Monday – Friday between 8:30 and 3:30pm. Johnston County Arts Council will also mail applications and guidelines upon request. Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 5pm.

Johnston County Arts Council is also hosting a Grassroots Arts Program Grant Workshop to assist interested applicants in preparing competitive grants on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 6:30pm in the office of the Johnston County Arts Council located at 231 E. Second Street, Clayton. New applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. Grant applications are evaluated by a diverse panel of community members and voted on by Johnston County Arts Council Board of Directors. Awards are announced in November each year.

For questions or more information, contact Johnston County Arts Council at 919-553-1930 or info@johnstoncountyarts.org.