Chapel Hill Arts & Culture Award Program

Your application must be submitted digitally: Applications are now closed.

Completing your application: You will be required to create a user account on our application portal, OpenGov. You can save your progress while completing the application. Once you save your work, you may leave your application and return at a later time.

Preview the application: Before setting up your account, you may view a PDF with all application questions HERE.

Gather these documents before you begin:

• Your EIN#: Look here for help obtaining your EIN#.
• Your exemption determination letter from the IRS: Learn how to get a copy of this letter here.
• Your Article of Incorporation from the NC Secretary of State: Learn how to obtain a copy of this document here.

Several questions refer to historically underrepresented groups (HUGs). When we refer to HUGs we are referring to the following groups:

• Black or African American community
• Asian or Asian American community
• Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish community
• Native American or American Indian community
• Immigrants or refugees
• LGBTQIA+ community
• People experiencing homelessness
• People with disabilities

• Organizations must be Orange County-based nonprofits
• Organizations must work with, and eligible projects must involve, a Historically Underrepresented Group (HUG). When we refer to HUGs, we are referring to the following groups:
  • Black or African American community
  • Asian or Asian American community
  • Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish community
  • Native American or American Indian community
  • Immigrants or refugees
  • LGBTQIA+ community
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • People with disabilities
• Nonprofit types accepted:
  • 501(c)3 Charitable, Religious or Educational Organizations
  • 501(c)7, 501(c)8, 501(c)10 Lodges, Fraternities, Societies & Recreation Clubs
  • 501(c)19, 501(c)23 Veterans Organizations before and after 1880
• Nonprofits do not need an explicit arts & culture-focused mission, but the proposed project must be arts/cultural focused.
• UNC departments and affiliates are not eligible to apply.
• Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools affiliates and organizations connected to the school system are not eligible to apply.

Eligible projects/programs must…

• Take place within Chapel Hill Town limits and have direct benefit to Chapel Hill residents.
• Be free and open to public participation.
• Incorporate an artist paid by a portion of your project’s budget.

Your proposed project or cultural experience must relate to one or more of these community priorities:

1. Community health and well-being
2. Social justice
3. Climate action/environmental justice
4. Youth engagement and education

Awardees must submit a final report describing expenditures and program impacts and outcomes, including feedback from program participants. Awardees who fail to complete a final report will be ineligible for future awards.

Applicants can apply for one of four award amounts: $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000.

Total funds available for this award program are set annually in the Town’s operating budget. Actual award amounts may vary from the above numbers.

In the interest of reducing administrative burden and potential barriers to access, awardees will receive project funds up front after completion of an Award Agreement with the Town. This is not a reimbursement-based award.

October 2025  Applications open

November 20, 2025  Applications due at 5pm

March 2026  Award notification

June 2026  Funds awarded

July 2026 – June 2027  Awardees complete funded projects

This timeline is subject to change as needed.

We have answers! Here are a few commonly asked questions to help you plan:

If my organization, project, or program has received the Arts & Culture Award in past years, can I apply again?

• Yes, you can apply again. However, priority will be given to organizations, projects, and programs that have not previously been awarded.

Do I need to have a specific artist confirmed for my project when I apply?

• No, but you will need to clearly explain how you plan to involve one or more artists. If an artist has already agreed to work on your project, it will strengthen your application.

What types of projects have been awarded in the past?

• If you scroll down on this webpage, you can read about the 2025-2026 projects that are currently receiving funding.

Why do funded projects need to take place within Chapel Hill Town limits?

• This award program is entirely funded by Chapel Hill tax dollars.

Part of my project takes place within Chapel Hill Town limits, but part of it does not. Is my project still eligible?

• No, the entirety of your project or program must take place within Chapel Hill Town limits.

My organization is located within Chapel Hill Town limits, but I’d like my project to take place outside of Chapel Hill. Is my project eligible?

• No, the entirety of your project or program must take place within Chapel Hill Town limits.

My organization is located outside of Chapel Hill Town limits, but I’m planning a project that will take place in Chapel Hill. Is my project eligible?

• Yes, but your organization must be located in Orange County.

My organization is not affiliated with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, but we plan to hold our project or program at district schools. Are there any limitations on which schools we can work with?

• Yes, there are limitations. The award can only fund projects and programs that occur at schools within Chapel Hill Town limits.

Have a question we didn’t answer above? Contact our team: artsandculture@townofchapelhill.org