The mission of the North Carolina Arts Council is to enrich cultural life and to nurture and support excellence in the arts. The professional staff provides services to artists, art organizations, and supporters of the arts. The council offers grant assistance for specific activities by funding programs designed to support particular groups of artists. Community development, salary assistance, scholarship, innovative, and management support programs are described. In addition, descriptions of grants to support the emerging artists and the grassroots arts programs are provided. The document contains descriptions of both the visiting artists and the artists-in-schools programs, along with residency guidelines, evaluation criteria, and costs. Specific grant information, instructions, application procedures, and forms are included. A visiting artist directory is appended. (JHP)