NOTE: Due to COVID-19, travel for professional development might not be possible. Applications will be accepted for virtual professional development opportunities as well as staff training.

New applicants are encouraged to contact the program officer to discuss eligibility prior to submitting an application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date.

The Program

Professional Development and Artistic Planning Grants are available to support the professional development needs of Southern presenters, programmers, or curators, for strengthening program design or increasing organizational capacity. South Arts strongly believes professional development for presenters/programmers/curators is integral to success, including traveling to see new works and attending convenings. This grant program is open to film, visual arts, performing arts, traditional arts, literary arts, and multidisciplinary organizations.

This funding can support staff’s travel expenses to conferences, festivals, exhibitions, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Funding also supports guest artists’ or guest curators’ travel expenses for onsite planning meetings with presenting organizations. These grants support travel expenses (for example, lodging and air/ground transportation), admission/registration fees, and other related expenses. In addition, these grants support expenses for virtual professional development opportunities and staff training (for example, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility training or technology training for virtual engagements).

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have prioritized this commitment to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, LGBTQIA+ led organizations, and organizations led by people with disabilities are represented as both applicants and grantees. In addition, we encourage applications for projects that engage BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities.

NOTE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the project start date. Applicants will be notified by email within four weeks of submission. Projects must take place between between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

New applicants are encouraged to contact the director of presenting & touring to discuss eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Detailed Program Description

South Arts believes that rural communities deserve great art, and can require specialized support to make that vision viable. Distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, Express Grants support rural organizations and communities with expedited grants of up to $2,000.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must program arts experiences featuring an out-of-state Southern artist. Express Grants can be used to support fees for presenting Southern guest film directors, visual and performing artists, or writers from outside of the presenter’s state. Touring support is awarded for film (documentary, fiction and animation), performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater and dance), literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry), and visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media). Projects must include both a public presentation (film screening, performance, reading or exhibition) and an educational component.

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have prioritized this commitment to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, LGBTQIA+ led organizations, and organizations led by people with disabilities are represented as both applicants and grantees. In addition, we encourage applications for projects that engage BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities. 

Guidelines

The project must include both a public presentation (film screening, performance, reading or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement component. Presentations at conferences and school-focused presentations (primarily engaging students, whether taking place at the school or another venue) will not be considered public presentations that are open and accessible to the general public; however, school-focused presentations will satisfy the educational component requirement.

The public presentation must meet the following requirements:

• For a public reading, a minimum of 30 minutes of presentation by the writer is required. 
• For a public performance, a minimum of 60 minutes of performance by the artist/company is required.
• For a public film screening, a minimum of 40 minutes of running time (this can include a full-length film or a collection of shorts) with the film director is required.
• For a public exhibition, a presentation with the artist is required.

The educational/community engagement component is an integral part of the engagement and should be carefully planned. A meaningful educational component should involve concentrated preparation by the artist/company and presenter, and include a learning event that has a lasting impact upon the audience (e.g., workshops, lectures and master classes). The artist(s)/company must conduct the educational activity. Please be aware that failure to include an educational/community engagement component will result in ineligibility.

Who & What We Fund

AHA awards grants to nonprofit community organizations to support a wide range of public humanities projects. Applicants are encouraged to develop imaginative proposals for a variety of audiences. Projects often include lectures, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, digital media and documentary films.

The three essential components of successful grant proposals are active public participation, strong humanities content and the direct involvement of humanities scholars.

Our Mission

AHA’s mission is to foster learning, understanding, and appreciation of our people, communities, and cultures. As the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), AHA is the primary source of grants for public humanities programming in Alabama. AHA also initiates major programs and events in support of humanities topics and collaborates with other organizations to advance the humanities in both the academic and public arenas.

The Humanities

The humanities are often described as the study of how people process and document the human experience. Since humans have been able, we have used philosophy, literature, religion, art, history and language to understand and record our world. These modes of expression have become some of the subjects traditionally listed under the humanities umbrella. Exploring these subjects gives us the opportunity to think critically and creatively and to feel a sense of connection to those who have come before us, as well as to our contemporaries. According to NEH, the humanities disciplines include, but are not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following:

• Languages
• Literature
• History
• Philosophy and ethics
• Jurisprudence
• Archaeology
• Comparative religion
• Art history, theory, and criticism
• Social sciences employing humanistic methods

Major Grant 

Major grants represent the majority of AHA grant proposals and support a wide variety of projects. Major Grants require a 1:1 cost share match, including cash and in-kind contributions. Sample Application

To allow time for grant processing, project events must take place a minimum of 60 days after the submission deadline.

Project Requirements

Public Participation:

All projects must be open to the general public and should not be limited to members of a specific organization, scholars, or a campus community. While programs should aim to target a diverse audience, programs may be designed for a particular population, such as teachers, veterans, the incarcerated, or traditionally underserved groups.

In general, AHA will prioritize funding programs that are open to the public at no cost. Organizations may, however, charge modest fees when necessary. When charging fees, AHA encourages organizations to offer scholarships, free admission days, and other flexible admission policies to keep projects accessible to the broadest possible audience.

Humanities Content:

Applicants must ensure that one or more humanities disciplines are central to the project and that humanities themes and topics are adequately explored and interpreted. Humanities content should be presented in an engaging format that encourages critical thinking.

Humanities Scholars:

All projects must include the involvement of at least one humanities scholar to provide an in-depth knowledge of the humanities content and support adequate interpretation of the material. A humanities scholar is generally someone with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline, such as university faculty and researchers, or someone with extensive experience working within the humanities, such as tradition bearers, authors, historical witnesses, and others.

Humanities scholars may serve the project in a variety of roles, including as consultants or advisors, researchers or writers, presenters or moderators, and evaluators. Major and Media Grant projects must include at least one primary scholar, in addition to the project director, who is integrally involved in both the planning and implementation of the project. All applicants are encouraged to connect with additional scholars when appropriate.

NOTE: New applicants are encouraged to contact Nikki Estes at 404-874-7244 x816 to discuss eligibility before applying.

Presentation Grants Program

Presentation Grants are an opportunity for organizations in South Arts' nine-state region to receive fee support to present Southern guest film directors, visual and performing artists, or writers from outside of the presenter's state. Artist fee support is awarded for:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance),
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry),
• traditional arts, and
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media).

Projects must include both a public presentation (film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement component. These grants are limited and very competitive. Based on the artist fee, the maximum request is $9,500 for modern dance and contemporary ballet or $7,500 for other artistic disciplines. 

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have prioritized this commitment to ensure that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations, LGBTQIA+ led organizations, and organizations representing persons with disabilities are represented as both applicants and grantees. In addition, we encourage applications for projects that engage BIPOC artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, and artists with disabilities.

Bring independent documentary filmmakers to your community for screenings and conversations around powerful stories and the art of filmmaking. Screening Partners are partner organizations that present Southern Circuit screenings, Q&As, and other filmmaker engagements with the community. Screening Partners develop screening audiences through strategic marketing and partnerships. As a group, they participate in the film selection process and discuss programming/marketing strategies for each film. Screening Partners act as hosts to touring filmmakers, providing recommendations for travel, lodging, and dining.

South Arts coordinates filmmaker tours and provides marketing materials for each film. South Arts recognizes the value of filmmaker participation by providing an honorarium for each filmmaker’s tour, with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Screening Partners must be nonprofit, educational, or governmental organizations residing in the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Southern Circuit Screening Partners have included schools, churches, arts centers, municipalities, and other organizations, serving audiences of all ages.

Southern Circuit is invested in partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South Arts region.

What films are presented?

Southern Circuit prioritizes featuring Southern filmmakers and stories. We are committed to presenting films by filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, and filmmakers with disabilities. Selected filmmakers should have an ethical relationship with the topics and individuals/communities represented in their work. We are invested in including emerging and first-time filmmakers.

Screening Partners are provided a Southern Circuit Film Guide with potential selections for the season. Screening Partners work together to select six films that will tour to all Screening Partners. The Southern Circuit Film Selection Meeting will be held in June. At least one representative from your organization will be required to participate.

NOTE: Micro Accessibility Grants will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning July 2022 through May 15, 2023. 

MICRO ACCESSIBILITY GRANTS

Micro Accessibility Grants provide up to $2,500 for organizations to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Southeast is home to some of the world’s more diverse and vibrant artistic communities. At South Arts, we believe that the arts are for everyone. The arts enrich the lives of people of all abilities and backgrounds. In our commitment to amplifying the success of the Southeast’s arts ecology, South Arts offers micro-funding to supplement the efforts of arts organizations throughout our service area. 

Art making is for everyone too! South Arts encourages arts organizations to hire artistic personnel of all abilities at all levels; for these grants in particular, we encourage arts organizations to work directly with artists who identify as disabled. 

Through our partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, South Arts offers small grants that compliment existing efforts by arts organizations to include audiences and artists with disabilities. Accessibility micro-grants are available to support Nonprofit, 501c3, arts organizations located within the South Arts Service region states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This funding program is open to a wide variety of organizations, including community cultural organizations, museums, performing arts presenters, theatre companies, visual arts and music organizations. 

South Arts has prioritized the following:

• South Arts prioritizes applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying organizations.
• South Arts prioritizes applications from organizations led by persons with disabilities or organizations that provide significant programming to artists or audiences with disabilities. 
• South Arts is committed to funding artists organizations in rural communities (with populations under 50,000).

Grant Requests

Applicants may request funding of $500-$2,500 for eligible projects. Organizations must provide a 1:1 funding match; note that 50% of the recipient's match must come from a cash match.

NOTE: To view the other grant priority areas for the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, please follow these links:

• Health Grants
• Education & Youth Grants
• Arts, Culture and Community Asset Grants

Community Needs

The Foundation supports programs providing for an individual’s basic needs, such as access to food, clothing and adequate housing. Emphasis is placed on classes and programs which help individuals better navigate and manage their circumstances, leading to enhanced job opportunities and outcomes for an improved life for Alabama’s individuals and families. By connecting with rural communities and non-profit organizations, we desire to support communities and spark revitalization in Alabama’s richly diverse rural areas. All of this work is connected to the availability and development of leaders who have the vision and capacity to address these challenges.

A segment of the population highly valued by the Foundation is Alabama’s estimated 400,000 veterans. Given the sacrifices made by our military personnel, they deserve access to services and opportunities that enable them to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Our priorities:

• Access to food, clothing and adequate housing
• Programs that offer an effective approach to job training and life skills
• Rural community initiatives
• Projects that meet the needs of Alabama’s veterans
• Leadership programs demonstrating success in developing leaders for the nonprofit, government and business sectors

Alabama Power

We are a POWERFUL SOURCE of GOOD. Formed with donations from Alabama Power shareholders, the Alabama Power Foundation spreads good to Alabama residents through a number of different initiatives.

In fact, that’s our mission – to spread good throughout Alabama to the people who need it most. 

• Educational Advancement
• Civic & Community Development
• Arts & Cultural Enrichment
• Health & Human Services
• Environmental Stewardship

Elevate Grants

Lifting up the state one organization at a time

The Elevate grant program empowers nonprofits – helping them expand their impact and address pressing needs. Our goal is to strengthen these organizations, helping provide tools and resources so they can help elevate the people and communities of Alabama.

Elevate Grants support needs and initiatives that are not addressed through our other grant programs.

Elevate Grant Focus Areas

Educational Advancement – Supporting equitable programs to advance learning for adults, children, families and communities, capacity-building for nonprofits through professional development or certifications that help equip staff with skills to operate programs more efficiently and effectively.

Civic & Community Development – Supporting programs that promote workforce development, criminal justice, economic empowerment, and quality of life.

Arts & Cultural Enrichment – Supporting cultural programs and expressions of creativity.

Health and Human Services – Supporting the well-being of Alabamians by advancing equitable programs in health, medicine and social welfare.

Environmental Stewardship – Supporting conservation, beautification and sustainable practices benefiting Alabama’s biological diversity and the environment.

Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant

SEG celebrates our diverse associates, customers and communities, and cultivates an environment that champions inclusion and belonging within our company and the unique neighborhoods we serve. Over the last year, we have expanded our charitable giving focus to support like-minded organizations that share our commitment to elevating belonging, inclusion and diversity while empowering authenticity, educating the broader society and eliminating deep-seated barriers.

Our Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program provides essential funding to organizations that equally support inclusivity and take meaningful action to help combat social injustice by bridging the gap of inequities faced by many individuals, families and communities. Since 2020, we have contributed more than $685,000 to help build a more inclusive and equitable future.

The grant supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education, while building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.