Call for Applications for New Artworks Grant (Maryland)

The Maryland State Arts Council is accepting applications for its New Artworks grant is to support independent artists and organizations in planning and creating new public artwork for communities and the general public in Maryland.

Donor Name: Maryland State Arts Council

State: Maryland

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 12/12/2025

Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

PAAM New Artworks grants provide support for community outreach, visioning, research, planning, artist selection, art design, specialized services, consultants, materials, fabrication, transportation, and other costs associated with creating and installing a fully completed work of public art.

Types of Grant

Planning Grant
Project Grant

Funding Information

For Planning Grant: Up to $10,000
For Project Grant: Up to $30,000

Uses of Funds

Grant funds may be used for:

Planning grants support research, community engagement, artists’ selection processes, and other forms of organizing and concept development in preparing a proposal and design for new public artwork. The planning grant can support costs associated with:
- Community engagement and organizing activities (may include: accessibility accommodations, public meetings, community education or information campaigns, child care, or refreshments to encourage public participation) Conducting artist selection processes; artist fees and/or honorariums for artwork proposal design and proposal development
- Consultant or specialized service fees for a public art consultant, design services provided by an architect or landscape architect, engineering services, digital graphics, and other specialized services as required for a specific site or project
- Facility or equipment rentals for meetings and gatherings
- Licensing fees for specialized software or online services (may include software for virtual meetings, application & portfolio review, and digital design)
- Printing of flyers, maps, and photographs that are helpful in the planning process.
- Organization administration/project management fee (cannot exceed 15% of the total grant request)
Project Implementation supports the work of the artist and project partners in taking a project from the proposal stage through to the successful installation of the new public artwork. The project implementation grant can support costs associated with:
- Artist fees and labor costs for Maryland-based artists and fabricators to cover their time and that of studio employees in developing and managing the creation of the artwork.
- Artist/Artisan designed site amenities (bike racks, fences, planters, etc)
- Contracted services (may include design & modeling, fabrication, project management, photography, lighting, installation services, etc.)
- Dedication event expenses
- Equipment purchase or rental
- Materials (artwork, base, lighting, landscaping)
- Studio or space rental to fabricate and assemble the artwork
- Signage or plaques to identify the artwork
- Transportation of artwork between locations and to the installation site
- Organization administration/project management fee (cannot exceed 15% of the total grant request).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must meet the requirements listed below.

Arts organizations or arts programs may apply for either Planning or Project Implementation grants and must be one of the following:
- Nonprofit organization (i.e., an organization with an IRS-designated 501(c)3 status) based in Maryland
- Nonprofit, Maryland-based fiscal sponsor organization applying on behalf of a Maryland-based group, project, or artist with whom it has a Model A fiscal sponsorship agreement in place (i.e., comprehensive sponsorship, in which the assets, liabilities, and exempt activities collectively referred to as “the project” are housed within the fiscal sponsor)
- Unit of government (e.g., town, city, county, state, etc., with the capacity to undertake an arts program)
- College or university (i.e., an established higher education institution in Maryland)
- School (i.e., a public or private school serving students in grades pre-Kindergarten through 12)
Independent artists may apply for Planning grants, and must be:
- An artist or collaborative group not directly affiliated with a larger arts organization or program
  - In the case of collaborative groups, having a membership comprising at least 50 percent Maryland residents, as defined below
  - In the case that an artist(s) is fiscally sponsored, the sponsored artist(s) must be a Maryland resident, as defined below
- Maryland residents (i.e., owning or renting residential property in Maryland six months prior to the application’s submission and throughout the funded project or program) who are 18 or older; those experiencing homelessness are encouraged to reach out to MSAC staff for details on how to apply
- Producing or presenting projects or programs that are accessible to the public
- The lead artist whose original work is included in the proposed activities
- Not enrolled in any matriculated high school, undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of application and throughout the grant activities outlined in the application.
Public Artwork Eligibility:
- Planning efforts and Projects funded through the Public Art Across Maryland grant program must fit within MSAC’s definition of Public Art as described above under “Purpose” and included in the MSAC glossary, and must be the product of an artist, artisan, studio, or team based in the state of Maryland.
- Artworks supported through Public Art Across Maryland grants should be either an architectural enhancement of artistic significance or an installation of artwork. Eligible mediums include, but are not limited to: murals, tile mosaics, paintings, or sculptures. Functional amenities such as benches, bike racks, creative way-finding, fences, screens, gateways, light-based works, shading and trellises, etc. are also eligible as long as they meet MSAC’s definition of public art and are manufactured by an artist or artisan.
- All projects and artwork supported through Public Art Across Maryland grants are expected to comply with all local regulations, permit procedures, and permitting requirements as mandated by the local jurisdiction or property owner where the work will be installed. Applicants and grantees are required to conduct their own research to fully understand and meet the requirements for installing artwork, whether temporary or permanent, at the specified location.