Arts And Humanities
Arts And Humanities header image

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Deadline: Opens April 19, Closes May 17
Maximum Award: $1,000.
Required Match:  1 to 1 (In-kind or cash match)
Award Cycle: Variable
APPLY THROUGH THE MAINE HUMANITIES COUNCIL 

Arts and Humanities Grant

The Arts and Humanities Grant supports organizations in Maine that present stories and cultural expressions of the state, its communities, and its people. Projects can be in any discipline and on any scale but must include both arts and humanities aspects. The grant is co-administered by The Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council.

The Maine Humanities Council is administering the current cycle of the Arts and Humanities Grant, and applications should be made through their organization at https://mainehumanities.org/

Before submitting an application, the applicant is required to speak with representatives from the Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council. Project may start no sooner than eight weeks after the application deadline.

Lizz Sinclair         grants@mainehumanities.org                (207) 773-5051

Kerstin Gilg                    kerstin.gilg@maine.gov                 (207) 287-6719

Have general questions about the Grant/Application Process? Access the Grants FAQ

Eligibility Requirements

An organization is eligible to apply if it meets the following criteria at the time of application:

  • Is a nonprofit arts organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt statusfrom the Internal Revenue Service (Some multi-disciplinary or multi-purpose organizations, including arts entities embedded in universities and colleges, may be eligible
  • Plans to use grant funds within the award cycle
Eligible Expenses

This grant can be used by organizations towards project support (full or partial) for the creation of new work, or the continuation of existing arts programs.  Projects can be in any artistic discipline and on any scale. Public schools are encouraged to apply but must do so through their school district.

Ineligible Expenses
  • Ongoing and operational business expenses
  • Deficit or debt reduction
  • Donations and re-granting
  • Equipment purchases over $5,000
  • Fundraising
  • Remote office expenses
  • Lobbying activity
Application Scoring
Grant Narrative  (All character counts include spaces. 2,550 characters/page)

All applications must be submitted through the Maine Humanities Council at https://mainehumanities.org/

Review Criteria

All applications must be submitted through the Maine Humanities Council at https://mainehumanities.org/

To Apply

All applications must be submitted through the Maine Humanities Council at https://mainehumanities.org/

Review Process

Submitted applications are reviewed by Agency staff for completion, eligibility, and adherence to the funding guidelines. Panelists submit scores based on the review criteria.  Award recommendations are based on scoring and available funds.

Awards

The delivery of funds may take up to six months from the time of award notification. This means that grant awards may be used to reimburse costs which have been incurred for the project after the grant has been approved but prior to funds being disbursed, as long as it takes place within the award cycle.   

All applicants are notified of their award status (approved or declined) via email. Successful applicants also receive emails with documents and instructions on award acceptance. Awardees are listed on the Maine Arts Commission website. 



APPLY NOW

Ask for Help

The staff at the Maine Arts Commission are ready to help as you prepare your application and navigate the Application Portal. We especially encourage first-time applicants and those new to grant writing to contact us for assistance. For more information, visit our staff directory. 

Accessibility 

Grant information can be made available in large print format or other languages by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible to people with disabilities.   All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.  To learn more, the NEA offers an accessibility self-assessment checklist.