Photo header: left, It Was While We Were On Our Way Home by Elaine Ng, ceramic, thread, sewing needles, paint, 11'h x 28'd x 40'w, 2013. Right, the lobby of Portland Museum of Art, Portland. 

Maine Arts Commission Opens Organization Operations Grant Early

AUGUSTA, MAINE— The Maine Arts Commission is pleased to announce the early opening of the Organization Operations Grant on September 22, 2023. The decision to launch the grant application period months ahead of the Arts Commission's regular winter cycle signifies a commitment to encouraging the growth and sustainability of Maine's arts community.

 The Organization Operations Grant is open to eligible 501(c)(3) arts organizations across the state, providing general operating support to those with annual budgets exceeding $25,000. This grant is instrumental in maintaining the health and vitality of our arts organizations, infrastructure, and the creative workforce that calls our state home. The deadline to apply for the Organization Operations Grant is Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 5 p.m. 

“The Maine Arts Commission is proud to support Maine's vibrant arts ecosystem and is excited to see how this early opening of the Organization Operations Grant will foster growth, resilience, and creativity within our state's cultural landscape,” said MAC Assistant Director Julie Horn. “The move not only demonstrates our commitment to the arts but also underscores our recognition of the integral role arts organizations play in shaping our state's cultural identity.” 

By initiating the grant application process ahead of schedule, the Arts Commission's objective is to provide arts organizations with the opportunity to secure general operating funding during the autumn and project-based funding during the winter. This extended timeline affords more time for those who may not receive the initial grant to refine and strengthen their project grant proposals in preparation for the application period in February.

The Organization Operations Grant is designed to fortify the financial foundations of these organizations, enabling them to allocate resources towards the continual enrichment of Maine's cultural communities. These funds can be utilized for a wide spectrum of purposes: the support of day-to-day operations, the promotion of innovative artistic ventures, the reinforcement of educational and outreach programs, and the nurturing of the talents of our local artists.

To apply for the Organization Operations Grant and access further information, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Maine Arts Commission's official grant page at the following URL: Maine Arts Commission Organization Operations Grant.

For general inquiries and additional information, please contact: Grants and Website Manager Eli Cabañas at eli.cabanas@maine.gov.