The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County announces that guidelines and applications for the 2009-2010 Regional Artist Project (RAP) grant program are available at TheArtsCouncil.com. The grant covers projects from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2010.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is Thursday, Aug. 27, by 5 p.m. at the Arts Council Building, 301 Hay St. Artists 18 years old and older residing in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland counties may apply.

RAP grants are intended to provide financial support to a broad range of exceptionally talented visual, performing, literary and inter-disciplinary artists by funding a project that will have a significant impact on the advancement of their professional artistic career.

The applicant may be an emerging or established artist and as a general rule should have completed some basic education in his/her art form.

Workshops to assist applicants in the grant process are scheduled for:

n Cumberland County -- Thursday, July 30, 5:30 p.m., Arts Council 301 Hay St., Fayetteville.

n Moore County -- Monday, July 27, 5 p.m., Arts Council, Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines.

n New Hanover County -- Sat., Aug. 1, 10 a.m., Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814 Market St., Wilmington.

n Richmond County -- Wednesday, July 29, 5 p.m., Arts Richmond Center, 123 E. Washington St., Rockingham.

n Robeson County -- Thursday, July 30, 5:30 p.m., Lumberton City Hall, Cedar St., Lumberton.

For more information, contact Kelly Williams, KellyW@The ArtsCouncil.com or (910) 323-1776, or visit TheArts Council.com for complete details.

The Regional Artist Project Grant Program is administered by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County with grant support from the North Carolina Arts Council, the Arts Councils of Moore, New Hanover, Richmond and Robeson counties, the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and through private contributions.