Arts Capital Grant

The Arts Capital grant supports the sustainable growth, stability, and longevity of eligible organizations delivering arts and cultural education and experiences to the general public.

Maryland-based nonprofit organizations delivering arts and cultural education or experiences as a core part of their mission or vision with $3 million or less in annual operating costs are welcome to apply. This grant supports capital projects and purchases of equipment that:

  • Improve or produce a complete, useable and accessible arts facility 
  • Integrates energy-efficient technologies
  • Improves the effective delivery of, or access to, an organization’s arts and cultural programming

Applicants to the Arts Capital grant program must:

  • Be a Maryland-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization 
    • Or operate under a Model A fiscal sponsorship
  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $3,000,000
  • Either: 
  • Include providing arts and cultural education or experiences as a core part of the organization’s mission or vision

The following are ineligible for this grant program: Organizations with annual operating costs exceeding $3 million, for-profit businesses and organizations, units of government, colleges and universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations whose primary mission does not include the delivery of arts and cultural education or experiences.

Individual grant awards will range from $5,000 to $300,000 in FY24. To qualify for funding all proposed purchases or projects must have a useful life expectancy of at least 15 years. No funding match is required. 

All capital project applications must fit within one of the three grant types listed below:

  • Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment ($5,000 to $100,000 grants)
  • Design Preparation and Planning ($5,000 to $100,000 grants)
  • Facility Improvement ($10,000 to $300,000 grants)

Please review the Arts Capital Grant Guidelines in "Quick Resources" for more information on eligible expenses, state policies* and other requirements. 

Applicants are also encouraged to contact MSAC program staff with any questions about how these requirements may apply to your proposed project, see "Application Assistance" for more details. 

*Arts Capital Grant funding is financed through general obligation bonds issued by the State and governed under State Finance Law.

A public information session for the FY24 & FY25 Arts Capital Grant was held on Tuesday, December 12 to provide an overview of the program’s priorities and address questions about how to apply to the program. Click here to access the recording of the webinar, and click here to view the presentation slides from the webinar. 


Applicants are also welcome to meet with MSAC Staff directly to discuss their potential project or application. Click here to schedule a 30-minute video call during available virtual office hours.

All applications are submitted via the secure online grants management system, SmartSimple. Click here to log in or create a free account.

  • Applicants are required to complete and submit their applications by electronic means, including the use of an electronic signature.
  • Technical support for SmartSimple is available during regular office hours.
  • Lost, misdirected or late applications are the sole responsibility of the applicant.
  • Applicants must meet all revision deadlines after submission, as specified in writing, or the application will be withdrawn.

MSAC utilizes a multi-disciplinary, statewide grant panel to electronically review (approve or deny) applications. All applicants to the Arts Capital Grant will receive electronic notification of their grant award or denial after the review period.

Please review the Grant Guidelines in "Quick Resources" for detailed information on the application process.

The Arts Capital grant will have one application deadline per fiscal year. As the program is being established, the annual deadline will shift to allow for earlier notification in the fiscal year. Below are the dates of the FY24 grant cycle: 

FY24 Grant Timeline

Application Posted - January 1, 2024

Deadline to Apply - February 16, 2024

Award Notification - (approx.) June 2024

Period of Support - July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026

Arts Capital is a new program of MSAC. FY24 is the first year this grant is offered. Grant awards will be announced in July 2024.