The Arts Capital grant program provides organizations with direct access to state capital funding for projects that enhance or create complete, usable, and accessible arts facilities.
This grant can support capital projects that include the expansion of, production of, renovation of, or major repairs to a facility or other infrastructure operated by an eligible organization.
Projects that prioritize energy-efficient building methods and technologies, increase facility accessibility for people with disabilities, or expand an organization’s programming and ability to serve a broader audience are strongly encouraged to apply
Join our upcoming virtual information session for more information:
Applicants to the Arts Capital grant program must:
- Be a Maryland-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
- Operate a physical property in Maryland that is either leased or owned by the applicant organization.
- Have an annual operating budget of less than $3,000,000
- Either:
- Participate in MSAC’s Grants for Organizations or County Arts Development programs, or
- Be open to the public and provide arts-based cultural education or experiences
Applicants must provide either proof of property ownership or a lease agreement with the property owner showing a minimum of five years remaining at the time of application
Ineligible organizations include:
- Units of government
- Schools, colleges, or universities,
- Fiscally-sponsored organizations
- Auxiliary non-profit organizations whose mission is primarily for the benefit and fundraising of specific activities, programs, or facilities that would otherwise be ineligible.
- Past Arts Capital grantees that either:
- Have not completed projects for which Arts Capital funding was awarded, including MSAC staff approval of a final report associated with the award, or;
- Have received $500,000 in Arts Capital funds within a five-year period
Ineligible Projects include:
- Capital improvements to properties owned by schools, school systems, colleges, or universities
- Capital Improvements to properties owned by the State of Maryland Department of General Services, or the Maryland Stadium Authority.
Organizations considering submitting an Arts Capital grant application for the first time are highly encouraged to contact program staff to discuss their proposed project and eligibility for the program.
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.
- Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements as specified in the guidelines. Organizations or proposed projects that do not meet the published eligibility requirements will not be considered for scoring.
- Organizations that have received an Arts Capital grant award, must have completed the work described in their application and submitted a complete and approved final report before they can re-apply for additional funding through this program.
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 for detailed information on the application process.
Grantees of the Arts Capital grant receive funding in one payment (100% of the award amount) after the grant agreement has been signed by all required parties and the funded project has been approved by the State Board of Public Works (unless otherwise stipulated by the State or Board of Public Works).
The disbursement process for the Arts Capital Grant Program is unique and takes substantially longer than other grants administered by MSAC. The Arts Capital disbursement process begins when the GAF is fully executed and gains approval from the BPW. Applicants can expect a minimum of 6 months from the notification of grant status to receiving disbursement of your grant funds.
Grantees are required to submit a final report at the completion of the funded project.
For more detailed disbursement and reporting requirements, please see the Grant Guidelines.
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