South Arts, Inc. is hiring: Artist Creative Practice in Atlanta

South Arts recognizes the importance of professional development in building artists’ careers. Even with stipends or payments, overall expenses can make participating in these opportunities inaccessible. South Arts offers Artist Creative Practice Grants (formerly Individual Artist Career Opportunity Grants) to ensure that artists from our region can take advantage of a variety of career enhancing opportunities.

The Artist Creative Practice Grant supports a variety of professional development opportunities including milestone activities in an artist's career that will likely lead to substantial career growth.

Grants up to $3,000 are available for opportunities taking place between November 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Individuals receiving this award are eligible to apply for other South Arts funding including the Southern Prize and State Fellowships, Jazz Road, and others for projects unrelated to the proposed activity. However, you cannot use South Arts' funds as a match for this program.

South Arts is committed to ensuring that all artists in the region regardless of background or economic status are provided with an opportunity to apply.

Artists can contact us with any questions about the program or the application process. Contact Assistant Program Director Joseph Crawford at jcrawford@southarts.org or Emmitt Stevenson, Artist Engagement Director at estevenson@southarts.org .

All program funding is contingent on the availability of funds for the program. In the event that a program is terminated, grant awards will not be made, and applicants could have to return unspent funds.

Guidelines

Please refer to the following guidelines while preparing your Artist Creative Practice grant application.

Applications Due Rolling Deadline with final applications due no later than 11:59PM, April 30, 2026.

Applicant Notifications Applications will be reviewed for funding decisions on a 2-month cycle.

Activities Start Date On or After November 1, 2025.

Activities End Date On or Before June 30, 2026.

South Arts reserves the right NOT TO:

• Consider incomplete or improperly submitted applications.
• Inform applicants of incomplete or improperly submitted applications.

Applicants who move from the South Arts region after submitting their application are encouraged to notify South Arts and will not be eligible for an award.

Examples of opportunities that match the intent of this program include, but are not limited to, curated invitations and competitive selection or qualifying professional development activities:

ARTIST RESIDENCY Selection to participate in a residency opportunity at an official artist residency program.

APPRENTICESHIP Advanced study of artistic practice or mentorship.

CONFERENCE OR CLASS (up to $1,000) Attendance at a professional conference or non-degree granting classes that enhance artistic practice or arts management or artistic knowledge and skills (request are limited to a maximum of $1,000).

CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP Support for limited artist business enhancement activities including the development of e-commerce solutions, creation of marketing materials, engagement of a consultancy to assist with financial management, branding, marketing, or legal counsel related to patents, trademarks, contracts or business formation/continuity issues.

PRESENT, PRODUCE, PERFORM, EXHIBIT, SCREEN OR SELL Invitations to deliver original work at a significant in-person event, such as a recognized major festival, a juried showcase, an artist fair or marketplace, exhibition, and similar activities.

RESEARCH Scholarly artistic research partnering with recognized archival venues including libraries, academic institutions, and other such institutions.

PLEASE NOTE Artists are able to budget for travel to participate in eligible activities as outlined above.

Other types of eligible opportunities not listed here exist. The applicant must make a solid and compelling case for the opportunity's importance and its likely impact on their career.

Examples of activities that do not qualify for funding through the Artist Creative Practice Program include:

GROUPS OF ARTISTS Opportunities that support and advance the career of groups of artists such as musical bands, dance groups, or theatre companies. This program is for individual artists only.

CATALOGING, ARCHIVING, RELATED Cataloging, publication, documentation, promotion, or archiving of a body of work.

COLLEGE OR UNVERSITY DEGREE PROGRAMS Activities that support participation in a college or university degree granting program.

SHOWCASES AND BOOKING CONFERENCES General performance showcases at booking conferences.

Are you prepared for a crisis? Do not let an unexpected event, whether natural disaster or human-caused, devastate your career. CERF+/The Artists Safety Net provides multiple resources for artists of any discipline to protect their work, studio, records, and physical health and safety.

After reviewing program guidelines, log in to Salesforce to apply.