Dare Arts Announces 2026 Artist Support Grant Recipients

Three Outer Banks artists were recently awarded Artist Support Grants that were made possible through a partnership between the North Carolina Arts Council, Pocosin Arts, Beaufort County Arts Council, Dare Arts, Ocracoke Alive, Pettigrew Regional Libraries, and Martin County Arts Council. 

A panel of artists, art professionals, and experts in various disciplines selected the three artists listed below. 

2026 Artist Support Grant Recipients: 

·       Jennifer Hyde of Manteo, NC was awarded a grant to have a branded photoshoot to create marketing assets for wearable art.

·       Rhonda Bates of Frisco, NC was awarded a grant to purchase a jewelry bench, stool, and lamp.

·       Francesca Marie of Kill Devil Hills, NC was awarded a grant to purchase filmmaking equipment and to participate in related professional development. 

In an effort to expand her artistic career beyond in-person exhibits and community art events, artist Jennifer Hyde applied for a grant that would enable her to sell her art online and reach a broader audience.

"This grant will support a professional lifestyle photoshoot of my hand-embroidered wearable art, capturing the work as it is meant to be experienced—worn, lived in, and in motion,” said Hyde. “The resulting imagery will strengthen my visual storytelling, support the launch of my first professional website, and help expand my reach beyond in-person exhibitions. This support marks an important step toward sustainable growth in my career as a textile and wearable artist.”

After working at her kitchen counter for years, artist Rhonda Bates applied for an artist support grant that would make creating jewelry more accessible and beneficial to both her physical well-being and growth as an artist. 

“I am thrilled to be an Artist Support Grant recipient,” said Bates. “I’ve gotten my new bench and stool, and they have already made a big difference in my life. It’s the right height for sawing and painting enamels. My back and eyes are appreciative- it’s working out like I hoped it would.”

A deep commitment to investing in education and equipment that will help her expand her career as a videographer and photographer led artist Francesca Marie to apply for an Artist Support Grant. 

“With this support, I can overcome technical barriers and create work that reflects both a higher artistic standard and a deeper creative vision,” said Marie. 

Artist Support Grants is a program funded by the North Carolina Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts agencies to award project grants to artists in their regions. 

The 2026 Artist Support Grant application will be available online at DareArts.org/asg in the fall.

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.