Each year, United Arts awards grants to approximately 150 schools, 55 non-profit organizations and 60 individual artists. Through these grants, United Arts serves schools, supports arts organizations and artists, and connects communities to build a better Wake County.
Visit www.unitedarts.org to learn more.
High school students who attend school in Wake, Durham, or Orange County are invited to submit an original spoken word piece, not to exceed three minutes.
A panel of professional spoken word artists and poets will review all entries and select 12 winners. Cash prizes in the amounts of $1000, $500, and $300 will be awarded to the top three student submissions. All 12 finalists will receive honorable mentions and will each be awarded a $100 Amazon gift card.
Video about this contest from award-winning spoken word artist Dasan Ahanu
Tips from Dasan on spoken word performance
Please direct questions to United Arts.
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 8, 2026 before 11:59 pm
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Artist Support Grants fund up to $1500 for professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists to create work, improve their studio operations, or bring their work to new audiences. Artist Support Grants support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and interdisciplinary arts.
Las subvenciones de apoyo a artistas financian hasta $ 1500 para el desarrollo profesional y artístico de artistas emergentes y establecidos para crear trabajos, mejorar las operaciones de sus estudios o llevar su trabajo a nuevas audiencias. Las subvenciones de apoyo a artistas apoyan a una amplia gama de artistas talentosos en los géneros de artes visuales, artes escénicas, artes literarias y artes interdisciplinarias.