Maine Artist Fellowships recognize artistic excellence and advance the careers of Maine artists. Fellowships are not grants, they are merit-based awards that are informed by an applicant’s work as documented through the application and support materials. Maine Artist Fellowships are available in the categories; Belvedere Handcraft, Craft, Literary Arts, Multimedia/Film, Performing Arts, Traditional Arts, and Visual Arts.

Applicants may only apply in one discipline category only per annual grant cycle.

The Belvedere Handcraft Fellowship is made possible through a partnership between The Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Community Foundation's Belvedere Downeast Handcraft Fund. The award offers a functional craft fellowship for artists living in either Hancock or Washington Counties. Artists working in clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, paper, stone, wood or other studio craft mediums are eligible to apply. Craft artists in other counties should apply for the Fine Craft Artist Fellowship.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must have an active Maine Arts Commission account and current Vendor Code to apply. An individual is eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Is currently a practicing Maine artist with residence in Washington or Hancock County.
• Has resided full-time in Maine for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline.
• Will reside full-time in Maine throughout the project period.
• Is at least 25 years of age or older by the application deadline.
• Is not a student enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program.
• Is in compliance with Final Reports required by the Maine Arts Commission for previous awards.
• Has not been previously awarded a Maine Artist Fellowship.

Application Materials

Online - Fields within the Grants Portal that will need to be completed

• Complete answers to any narrative prompts (Required)

Uploads - Up to a total of 10 pieces of support materials; uploaded through the Grants Portal

• Resume, bio, or curriculum vitae (Required)
• A brief statement about the artist and their work (Required)
• Artistic samples (Required): Images, audio and/or video materials (no more than 15 minutes in total length)
• An itemized list of the uploaded materials (Required)

Vendor Code – An applicant must have a current Vendor Code to receive award funds

• Your Vendor Code is state assigned number that allows for payment processing. Please check your Maine Arts Commission User/Organization account to see if there is a number in the Vendor Code field. If the field is blank you will need to complete a Vendor Form with exactly the same name and contact information as used in the application. This must be provided to the agency prior to award notification and can be submitted through email, surface mail, or FAX. The form can be downloaded from the Grants Help page.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by panels of public members, selected for their expertise. All grant recommendations are presented to Maine Arts Commission members who approve the review process, making the grant official. The review process and delivery of funds may take up to six months. This means that grant funds 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.