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Other WorkshOpportunities

In addition to the wide range of ASC-sponsored workshops and training opportunities, there are also many other local, regional and national providers whose offerings may be of interest.

To help share these opportunities with others, ASC sends a WorkshOpportunities E-blast once a month which lists upcoming workshops, training and funding opportunities. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This page is an online version of that E-blast that is updated more frequently. Check back here for the latest information on upcoming workshop, training and funding opportunities for cultural organizations and creative individuals.

Resources & Opportunities for Organizations

Resources & Opportunities for Individuals

Resources & Opportunities for Organizations

($$) - Funding Opportunity
(W) - Workshop/Training Opportunity
(M) - Misc (Community Partnerships, etc)

(M) ASC Launches New Networking and Collaboration Forums
The Arts & Science Council is pleased to announce the launch of new networking and collaboration forums for cultural organizations entitled Cultural Connections. These 90-minute meetings will be held once per quarter in three locations (North Mecklenburg, Center City, and South Mecklenburg). Each meeting will be a semi-structured opportunity to engage over a brown bag lunch with other organizational representatives from the cultural sector across the county and will include a time for gathering, table conversations, report outs and any applicable ASC updates. January sessions are scheduled from 11:30am - 1:00 pm on:

• Tuesday, January 24 at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC
• Wednesday, January 25 at Matthews Community Center in the Community Room, 100 McDowell Street East, Matthews, NC
• Thursday, January 26 at Huntersville Parks and Recreation Offices, 2nd Floor above Discovery Place Kids, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC

Discussions will revolve around Table Topics, and each table will represent a focused conversation area. These conversations will not be facilitated, but will rather be an open forum for you to share with your peers successes and/or challenges around the given topic. At the conclusion of the break-out discussions, we will solicit report outs that may be of interest to the group as a whole. Table Topics for January will include Board Development and Engagement, Social Media, Strategic Planning, Fundraising/Development and Programming: Building Audience Diversity. Please respond to Ryan Deal at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than January 18 with your name, the organization you will be representing, which meeting(s) you will attend and the two above Table Topics that most interest you. As content will be driven by those in attendance and will vary slightly from meeting to meeting, you are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.

(W) Philanthropy Journal Webinars
Philanthropy Journal webinars deliver the expertise of nonprofit leaders directly to your phone and desktop, giving you easy access to knowledge and advice you can use to do your job better. All webinars begin at 1pm Eastern time and end by 2pm. Click here for the Webinar Archive.
February 21 - Leadership Giving: Strategies for building community-based philanthropy

($$) Institute of Museum and Library Services Invites Applications for African American History and Culture Museum Grant Program
The Institute of Museum and Library Services' Museum Grants for African American History and Culture are intended to enhance institutional capacity and sustainability through professional training, technical assistance, internships, outside expertise, and other tools. Successful proposals will focus on one or more of three goals: developing or strengthening the knowledge, skills, and other expertise of current staff at African American museums; attracting and retaining professionals with the skills needed to strengthen African American museums; and attracting new staff to African American museum practice and providing them with the expertise needed to sustain them in the museum field. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000 and must be matched with funds from non-federal sources on at least a 1:1 basis. Generally, funded project activities may be carried out for up to two years. Deadline: January 17

($$) Big Read Invites Applications for Community-Wide Reading Programs
The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment, is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2012 and June 2013. Organizations selected to participate in the Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement and participation. Approximately seventy-five organizations from throughout the United States will be selected. Applicant organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; a division of state, local, or tribal government; or a tax-exempt public library. Eligible applicants include such organizations as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. Organizations may apply for grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 each, depending on community size and number of activities planned. Grants must be matched at least 1 to 1 with nonfederal funds. Grant funds may be used for such expenses as book purchases, speaker fees and travel, salaries, advertising, and venue rental. Deadline: February 1

($$) Kresge Foundation Invites Preliminary Applications for Arts and Community Building and Artists' Skills and Resources Grant Opportunities
The Kresge Foundation's Arts and Culture Program seeks to foster the power of arts and culture to recharge and rebuild communities of all sizes in the United States. As part of this effort, the program is accepting preliminary grant applications from nonprofit organizations for its Community Building and Artists' Skills and Resources focus areas. The Arts and Community Building focus area is intended to help develop a systematic way to support arts and culture as a tool for revitalizing communities. The Artists' Skills and Resources focus area is based in the belief that community transformation would be more widespread if more communities embraced artists as important contributors to the identity, vitality, and cohesion of the places where they live. The program seeks to boost artists' skills and resources by supporting leading practitioners as well as efforts to increase the number of live-and-work spaces for artists. Preliminary applications for both funding areas will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis through February 1.

($$) New Public-Private Partnership to Connect Latin American Performing Artists With U.S. Audiences
The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation have announced a public-private partnership in support of the Southern Exposure: Performing Arts of Latin America program, which is designed to bring exemplary contemporary and traditional performing arts from Latin America to audiences across the U.S. that have little access to this work. Grants will not exceed $25,000. Eligible expenses include artist fees, travel-related expenses, shipping, expenses related to support material creation and distribution, translation services, expenses related to community engagement activities, communications, marketing and promotion, some administration costs, and visa application services. For complete details visit the link above. Deadline: February 10

($$) Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation Invites Applications From Music Education Programs for Music Matters Grant Program
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, a nonprofit public charity established by Muzak LLC, is accepting applications for its Music Matters Grant Program, which provides grants to public school and independent music programs in the United States. Highest consideration is given to those programs in need of basic materials such as instruments and sheet music, programs serving economically disadvantaged students, programs involving innovative educational reform, and programs with established partnerships with parent-teacher-student associations and other community groups. Applications will be accepted from public school programs (qualifying for Title I federal funding and serving a minimum of 50 percent low-income students) and nonprofit 501(c)(3) programs directly funding music education (serving students regardless of their ability to pay). Grants will be made in amounts of up to $6,000. Complete grant guidelines, the application form, and an FAQ are available at the foundation Web site through the link above. Deadline: February 17

($$) Kresge Facility Investment and Building Reserve Grants
The Kresge Foundation's Arts and Culture program has announced the final call for preliminary grant applications for its Facility Investments and Building Reserves program. Kresge is conducting this final round of facility and building reserve grants as it continues to refine its overall investment strategy. Eligible organizations may apply for both facility investment and building reserve grants, or building reserve grants only. Facility investment grants will prioritize renovation and repair projects. Eligible applicants are nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States whose primary mission is arts and culture. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that have a long-term agreement to operate a government-owned facility are eligible. Startup organizations or those with less than two full years of operation, and organizations that are both owned and operated by a government entity are not eligible to apply. Deadline: March 1

($$) Wesley Mancini Foundation Extends Deadline for Grant Requests to Benefit Gay Community of Charlotte, North Carolina
The Wesley Mancini Foundation, which is dedicated solely to supporting the LGBT community of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, has announced that it has extended the deadline to submit applications for grants until April 2, 2012, to give interested organizations more time to develop their proposals. Applicants must propose a project designed to raise the profile of the local LGBT community in front of a national audience during the Democratic National Convention, September 3-6, 2012, in Charlotte; and must partner with at least one non-LGBT organization to accomplish the project's goals. Proposed projects must not deal with politics, but rather focus on raising awareness of the local community's existence during the opportunity provided by the convention for national media exposure. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or an eligible fiscal sponsor. Projects must benefit residents of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. Contact the foundation for complete program guidelines and the application. Contact: Wesley Mancini Foundation, Bob Scheer, Tel: (704) 335-5404, ext. 402, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(W) Foundation Center FREE Webinars
To help nonprofits master the world of foundation fundraising, proposal writing, and all that goes into getting the grants you need, we offer short web-based training courses (called webinars) that are free of charge. Click above for a complete link of upcoming opportunities.

(W) Guidestar Lunch and Learns and Webinars
Guidestar, an organization that gathers and publicizes information about nonprofit organizations, offers both Lunch and Learns and Webinar opportunities. Click here for a list of upcoming Lunch and Learns, which are free, 30-minute demos of Guidestar's products and services. Click here for a list of upcoming Webinars, which offer a wide range of information pertinent to nonprofits, usually with free registration.

(M) Free Help for N.C. Center for Nonprofits Members
If you are a member of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, you can access free assistance from attorneys, CPAs, Human Resource and Marketing professionals across the state. Consultations last from one to two hours based on the area of expertise.

Resources & Opportunities for Individuals

($$) - Funding Opportunity
(W) - Workshop/Training Opportunity
(M) - Misc. (Calls to Artists, Space, Partnerships, etc)

Click here for an extensive listing of Artist Opportunities from the North Carolina Arts Council.

(W) New Leadership Development Program from Americans for the Arts: Local Arts Classroom
In early 2012, Americans for the Arts will launch its Local Arts Classroom program, a four-month virtual leadership development series that provides an opportunity for local arts leaders to master foundational concepts and build skills through exposure to current practice in the core areas of local arts development. This program is designed to serve arts professionals with less than 10 years of experience in the arts field, including current undergraduate or graduate students and those who are transitioning into the field from another sector. Participants will attend six 90-minute webinars and five 60-minute post-webinar discussion calls and will receive a one-year individual membership with Americans for the Arts and opportunities to connect with field leaders. Registration will open in early January; Americans for the Arts will select a maximum of 40 participants. For more information, contact Leadership Development Program Manager Stephanie Evans Hanson at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

($$) Creative Capital Begins Accepting Letters of Inquiry for Grants in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts on February 1
Creative Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing innovative and adventurous projects. Acting as a catalyst for the development of exceptional and imaginative ideas, we support artists whose work is provocative, timely and relevant; who are deeply engaged with their art forms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of their genre; who create work that carries the potential to reshape the cultural landscape. Selected grantees receive up to $50,000 in direct support and a suite of services valued at more than $40,000. To be eligible to apply, an artist must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident, at least 25 years old, a working artist with at least five years of professional experience and not a full-time student. Questions? Visit the link above or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Inquiry Form will be open until March 1.

(W) Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conference: February 11
Visual, performing, and literary artists are invited to attend the Southern Entrepreneurship in the Arts Conference on February 11 from 9:00 am-6:00 pm at the Elliot University Center at UNC Greensboro. This conference helps visual, performing, and literary artists learn how to better create sustainable income through self-employment and creativity oriented businesses. Attendees include students and community members from a multi-state area. Each year, more than 20 speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds have shared their expertise and experience with attendees. The keynote speaker this year will be nationally acclaimed visual artist Beverly McIver. Registration is $53 for artists or community members or $38 for students and includes the full day of conference sessions, lunch and an afternoon networking reception.

(W) Theatre Communications Group Announces New Leadership Program for Theatre Practitioners
Theatre Communications Group has received $1 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to launch Leadership U, a grant program designed to support the development of theater leaders at various points in their career. The overall intent of the program is to strengthen the field by developing individuals who are the core and future of theater. The new program provides support through two initiatives: One-on-One for early-career leaders and Continuing Ed for mid-career and veteran professionals. The Continuing Ed initiative will award grants of up to $6,000 to eight mid-career to veteran professionals at TCG member theaters for learning opportunities that will advance their leadership skills in artistic, administrative, educational, and production areas. The deadline for the One-on-One initiative has passed; the deadline for the Continuing Ed initiative is February 26.

($$) Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
Students in the U.S. are invited to team up with classmates under teacher/mentors to solve environmental problems in their school (grades K-5), community (grades 6-8), and world (grades 9-12). Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level and value more than $250,000 total, include scholarships, savings bonds, school grants, adventure trips, and a chance to present their idea at the United Nations. A panel of environmental experts and science educators will judge teams based on their research, analysis, and the ability of the solution to be replicated on a larger scale. High school students are specifically challenged to address energy, biodiversity, land management, water conservation and cleanup, or air and climate. Deadline: March 15

(M) Call for Submissions: Charlotte Viewpoint
Charlotte Viewpoint is seeking fiction and poetry that expands our understanding. Contributions should not exceed 1500 words. We do accept previously published work for our Fiction & Poetry. The author retains ownership and copyright of their work and may re-publish their work elsewhere subject to Charlotte Viewpoint. Please visit our website at www.charlotteviewpoint.org to submit your work for consideration.

(M) Volunteer with Arts for Life
Arts For Life Charlotte is interviewing NOW for Teaching Volunteers! AFL Teaching Volunteers make a real difference to the lives of the kids in our programs. Join this incredible team of community members, artists, mentors, and role models as we strive to provide the very best art education to young patients in our community. In addition to Arts For Life's extensive Volunteer Training – an art skills "toolbelt training" and observation sessions shadowing an AFL teacher - our Teaching Volunteers also undergo Presbyterian Hospital's Volunteer Training. In order to provide exceptional and consistent service to these special kids and families, we ask that our volunteers commit to a minimum of nine months, 3 to 4 hours per week, with Arts For Life – but our volunteers often stay much longer! You can download the volunteer form via the link above or email Sarah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.