• South Dakota artists or residents (must have lived in-state at least one year before July 1, 2026, and remain through project end).
• South Dakota-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and in good standing.
• Units of state or local government.
• Federally recognized tribal governments.
• SDAC staff or board members (during service) applying on behalf of an organization. 

• Students (high school, undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree programs).
• Arts Challenge or Statewide Services applicants.
• SDAC staff or board members (during service) applying for an artist project grant. 

• You will either receive the full amount you request or not receive a grant.
• Programming must take place in accessible spaces.
• Artists and organizations may not apply for funding for the same project.
• You can only apply in one grant category per year.
• Artist Projects previously funded by SDAC cannot be continued with new Project Grant funding.
• Organizations may not use Project Grant funds to match another SDAC or federal grant. 

Sample applications are provided to help applicants understand what a strong application can look like under current guidelines. These samples are fictional and for educational purposes only. They are not templates and do not represent funded projects or guaranteed outcomes.

Sample Project Grant Application

Panelists score applications based on Artistic Merit and Artistic Excellence. Use this rubric to understand how panelists assess and score based on public impact, community engagement, feasibility, and artistic quality.

Project Grant Panel Rubric

Before submitting your Project Grant application, step into a reviewer’s perspective before submitting. This guide is designed to help you check for clarity, alignment, and readiness.

Project Grant Application - Self-Review Guide

All grantees must submit a Final Report. This ensures accountability for public funds and helps us demonstrate the impact of the arts in our communities. If you do not submit a Final Report, you must repay all funds and your eligibility for future SDAC funding will be jeopardized.

Step 1: NEA-Required Project Information

• What to Do: Enter accurate numbers for adults, youth, and artists engaged (no ranges or estimates). Complete all required fields.
• Purpose: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) requires this data to understand the reach of funded projects and the public benefit they provide. 

Step 2: Who Did You Serve?

1. What to Do: Answer questions about who your project engaged, especially people who may face barriers to the arts (e.g., rural residents, low income, disability).
2. Purpose: Shows how projects expand access to the arts and ensures compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. Your answers do not affect future funding. 

Step 3: How Did It Go?

• What to Do: Share your main project goal, how close you came to achieving it, and what you learned along the way. Keep responses short (1–2 sentences).
• Purpose: Helps the Arts Council learn from grantees’ experiences and improve support for future projects. 

Step 4: Income and Expense Report

• What to Do: Fill in actual project income and expense totals. Include cash and in-kind support.
• Do NOT fill in Fiscal Year Operating Income/Expense fields.
• Report only on project expenses, project in-kind, and sources of income/expenses.
• Make sure total income and total expenses match.

Purpose: Required for federal reporting. Demonstrates accountability and shows how grant funds were used.

Need Help? 
If you have questions about your grant, contact:
Kate Vandel, Grants Manager
kathryn.vandel@state.sd.us
605-773-5925
(Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm Central)
Complete and submit your reports here: https://sdac.gosmart.org/

Congratulations on your South Dakota Arts Council Grant!
The SDAC team is here to support you.

More about Managing your grant >
If you have questions about your grant, contact:
Kate Vandel, Grants Manager
kathryn.vandel@state.sd.us
605-773-5925
(Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm Central)