Grant Reviewers
The Maine Arts Commission relies on grant review panelists to help evaluate funding decisions for grants and fellowships. Serving as a reviewer is a meaningful way to support the arts in Maine while learning more about the grant-making process and the creative work happening across the state.
Reviewers evaluate applications independently and then participate in a virtual discussion to finalize scores and comments. Reviewers bring their professional experience, knowledge, and perspective to a peer-review process that helps inform Maine Arts Commission funding decisions.
Maine’s greatest resource is its people. We welcome artists, arts administrators, educators, cultural practitioners, community leaders, and others with relevant experience from across the state to express interest in serving as peer reviewers.
Current & Upcoming Reviewer Opportunities
Interested in serving on a Maine Arts Commission review panel? You can apply for a current reviewer opportunity below or complete our general interest form to be considered for future grant and fellowship panels.
Current Opportunity
Organization Operations Grant Reviewers
We are currently recruiting reviewers for the FY2027 Organization Operations Grant. This program provides operating support to eligible Maine arts organizations and helps sustain arts organizations, infrastructure, and the creative workforce across the state.
Reviewers will consider applications using criteria related to mission alignment, public access and community engagement, organizational health, and artistic excellence and merit. This opportunity may be particularly relevant for people with experience in nonprofit arts organizations, organizational management, community engagement, finance, arts programming, or related fields.
Reviewers should be prepared to independently read and evaluate assigned applications, participate in reviewer orientation, and join a virtual panel discussion with other reviewers.
General Reviewer Interest Form
Interested in other Maine Arts Commission grant or fellowship panels? Complete our general reviewer interest form to be considered for upcoming review opportunities.
The form is open throughout the year, so you do not need to wait for a specific reviewer call to let us know you are interested.
Panelists are matched with review opportunities based on program needs and relevant experience. Submitting an interest form or reviewer application does not guarantee placement on a panel, but general-interest submissions remain available for consideration for future opportunities.
What to Expect as a Reviewer
What You Put Into It
- Your expertise and perspective as part of a peer-review process
- Several hours of independent application review
- Thoughtful scores and comments for applicants
- Participation in reviewer orientation
- A few hours of virtual discussion with fellow reviewers
What You Get Out of It
- A role in Maine’s public grant-making process
- Connections with fellow reviewers from across the state
- Exposure to artists, organizations, projects, and creative ideas from across Maine
- Hands-on experience with grant review and evaluation
- An opportunity to provide feedback that helps strengthen Maine Arts Commission programs
Reviewer Requirements
While the details of each panel may vary, reviewers should generally be able to meet the following requirements:
- Be a Maine resident
- Have basic computer skills, including web browsing and Zoom
- Have reliable internet access
- Be able to independently evaluate approximately 20 to 30 applications over a three- to four-week review period
- Be able to participate in approximately one hour of orientation and up to a three-hour virtual panel discussion
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility concerns about participating as a panelist, please contact our ADA Accessibility Coordinator, Eli Cabañas, by email at vog.eniam@sanabac.ile or by phone at 207.215.5872.
The Maine Arts Commission does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The Commission is dedicated to making its programs accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities and helping individuals with disabilities connect with resources for access to the arts. All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.