Maine Expansion Arts 

The Maine Expansion Arts grant program offers two separate tracks: one for organizations serving rural communities and the other for organizations led by and/or serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

• There are separate criteria and priorities for each track.
• Each applicant may choose only one track.
• Within each track, there are options for general support or project grants.

Please read the information below carefully to determine eligibility and fit for this program.

You can view a slideshow of the Maine Expansion Arts program here.

Purpose

Maine Expansion Arts supports arts organizations and arts-based programs in Maine serving rural communities and/or Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, particularly in areas with limited access to the arts.

Maine Expansion Arts-Rural

Criteria

To receive a grant, an organization or project must:

• Provide access to the arts in rural communities in Maine
• All applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget of less than $250,000. Proposals from organizations with annual operating budgets greater than $250,000 will not be considered.

Priorities

Priority will be given to organizations or projects that:

• Develop and promote the arts of their own communities, using local artists and other resources rather than importing art and artists from outside the region or state
• Serve artistically underserved geographic areas or people
• Cooperate and coordinate with other organizations and programs, within or outside of the arts
• Have local support (financial or in-kind donations) for the proposed work.

Types of Funding

This program provides:

• General support grants available only to arts organizations whose exclusive mission is to expand access to the arts in rural communities to support ongoing programming and operational needs
• Project grants to organizations with an annual budget under $250,00 to support new or expanding arts-based projects or programs serving rural communities

Additional Information

Schools and school districts are not eligible to apply. If your project involves partnering with a school or school district, a letter of support from an official of that entity is required.

Ineligible Expenses

Project grant funds may not be used for:

• Endowments, scholarships, camperships, or annual appeals
• See also “What we will not fund, without exception” on our eligibility and grant guidelines page.

Maine Expansion Arts-BIPOC

Criteria

To receive a grant, an organization or project must:

• Serve Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC) people and communities in Maine
• Involve BIPOC (all of the follow for general support; at least one for project support):
  • in leadership positions on board and staff of the organization
  • in the design, delivery, and evaluation of the programs and services
  • as most of the participants or intended recipients
• Provide expanded access to the arts

Priorities

Priority will be given to organizations or projects that:

• Develop and promote the arts of their own communities and traditions, involving artists and other resources from within or outside the region or state
• Cooperate and coordinate with other organizations and programs, within or outside of the arts
• Have local support (financial or in-kind donations) for the proposed work.

Types of Funding

This program provides:

• General support grants available only to BIPOC-led organizations whose exclusive mission is to expand access to the arts to support ongoing programming and operational needs
• Project grants to other BIPOC-led organizations and BIPOC-focused art projects promoting BIPOC arts and artists.

Ineligible Expenses

Project grant funds may not be used for:

• Endowments, scholarships, camperships, or annual appeals
• See also “What we will not fund, without exception” on our eligibility and grant guidelines page.

Background

The Maine Expansion Arts Fund, a permanent endowed fund held by the Maine Community Foundation, is the result of a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, Lillian M. Berliawsky Charitable Trust, Maine Community Foundation, and Maine Arts Commission to strengthen and ensure the future of artistic traditions in Maine. Additional funding has been provided through the Elizabeth Laughlin Anderson Memorial Fund at the Maine Community Foundation and a significant gift in 2021 from MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett.

An advisory committee comprised of Maine artists and others knowledgeable about the needs of the state's arts organizations and programs reviews applications and makes recommendations on awards.