MaineCF has awarded more than $472,000 through three grant programs to 59 arts organizations across the state.
The Maine Expansion Arts grant program, which supports organizations and programs that serve rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous and other people of color, awarded 18 grants totaling $148,500. Donors with advised funds at MaineCF awarded 11 additional grants totaling $80,800.
Grantees include:
- Halcyon Music, to perform “Wonderful World” on outer islands
- New England Arab American Organization, to engage an artist from the Arab community to lead workshops and projects that explore Arab and Muslim art and calligraphy
- Nibezun, to fund four traditional Wabanaki art workshops to further support Wabanaki artists and arts.
Thirteen organizations and projects that support traditional handcrafts were awarded $113,910 through the Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts grant program. A donor with an advised fund at MaineCF awarded one additional grant totaling $2,675.
Grantees include:
- H.O.M.E., to support stitchery and quilt programming and projects
- Tear Cap Workshops, to expand its craft education programs, artisan workshops, makerspace program, and community-building efforts
- Wabanaki Cultural Preservation Coalition, to preserve and continue traditional Wabanaki arts.
The Maine Theater Fund, which supports nonprofit professional and community theaters, awarded $126,485 to 16 organizations.
Grantees include:
- Opera House Arts, to upgrade theater lights to energy-efficient LED lights
- Penobscot Theatre Company, for its production of “Queen,” a play by Madhuri Shekar
- Saco River Grange Hall, to support its 2023 season.