Artists seeking help with a project might just be able to find it with a 2018-19 Regional Artist Project grant.

The grants range from $500 to $1,000 and are open to musicians, dancers, filmmakers, actors, literary artists and visual artists. Eligible artists must have lived for at least two years in one of 29 eastern North Carolina counties, including Beaufort County. Fundable projects include: creation of a new work; purchase of equipment; professional development workshops; travel support for expenses associated with participating in a professional exhibition or conference; development or upgrading promotional materials such as websites, brochures DVDs and CDs.

Lone Leaf Gallery & Custom Framing owner and photographer Neil Loughlin was awarded just such a grant several years ago. He said he used the $1,000 awarded to purchase archival paper, framing and travel expenses.

“The project was a series — an exhibition here of (photographs of) other parts of eastern North Carolina,” Loughlin said. “It helped with material costs.”

While the Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge in Greenville serves as the lead for the eastern North Carolina region, locally, Arts of the Pamlico contributes $400 every year to the regional fund. The program is also partially funded by the North Carolina Arts Council.

Loughlin said the process was a learning experience.

“It’s a pretty constructive process. If you don’t win it, they give great, constructive feedback to use when you reapply,” he said. “It’s not too complicated at all. It was pretty specific guidelines, but it’s written out really well.”

A committee decides what projects are selected, Loughlin said. For the past three years, between 11 and 14 eastern NC artists have been awarded grants, according to AOP’s website.

Applications can be found and downloaded under the “Artist Resources” link on Arts of the Pamlico’s website, www.artsofthepamlico.org.

The deadline for to apply is Sept. 7. Applications can be dropped off at Arts of the Pamlico in Washington or the Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge.