Arts Council grants available for writers

The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge’s Grants for Artists Program (GAP) has been strictly for visual artists in the past, but that is no longer the case. Writers are now eligible for grants that usually range to about $1,000 and can be used for a variety of needs like conferences and workshops, travel and marketing.

GAP is designed to support activities for artists and writers to create, refine, perform or exhibit their work, while furthering their careers. Grant applicants must have attained a certain level of proficiency as represented in the quality of work samples submitted with the application.

Artistic disciplines include dance, folk arts, literature, media arts, multidiscipline, music, theatre and visual arts. The Arts Council’s Web site has answers to many questions (here). The primary focus in the literary arts is the creation, presentation and distribution of original materials that are literary in nature. Publications, readings and compilations of original poetry, fiction, non-fiction and play scripts are typical of the works represented in this category (for screenplay development, see Media Arts.)

The artistic focus of media arts is the creation of electronic, technologically-based work suited to mass media communication and presentation, which is utilized within an artistic medium. Any genre in film, video, audio, or computer-based art production and/or distribution is included in this category.

These funds can be used for furthering the writer’s career, but can’t be used for debt reduction, construction, equipment purchase, parties or receptions, fines, student scholarships and several other areas.

Rhonda Hale at the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge can answer your questions at 540-224-1205.