Conservation Grant

Grant applications must identify the project team, the site where the artwork is located (and being relocated to, if applicable), and proof of approval from artwork owners. Eligible applicants must be a:

• 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(s) 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)

Project grant recipients are not eligible for any PAAM grants in the fiscal year (FY) following their award.

Applications must include a fully completed artwork that is free, accessible, and intentionally created for the public realm, as defined in our glossary. In addition to this, artwork must be: 

• Conserved in Maryland.
  • If relocating, the final location of the conserved artwork must be in Maryland
  • Artwork types may include, but are not limited to: sculpture, mural/painting, tile mosaic, mixed media, photography, and digital works
• Publicly accessible.
  • Artworks installed on private property must describe how the site is significant to the community and is accessible to and benefits the greater public
• In compliance with local jurisdiction’s regulations, permissions, and permitting requirements for siting and installing artwork(s). (Please note that applicants are required to do their own research in this regard.)

The eligibility guidelines listed above provide an overview only. In some cases, MSAC staff might make eligibility determinations addressing situations not described here but in support of the mission of the agency and the Department of Commerce.

MSAC utilizes a multi-disciplinary, statewide grant panel to electronically review and score applications. 

Before submitting a completed application, refer to the latest scoring rubric below for the complete scoring criteria panelists use to evaluate applications.

Conservation grants may be used to support the execution of a fully developed and planned conservation work on the proposed public artwork located in Maryland.

Grant funds may be used for: 

• Relocating a public artwork within or to Maryland to increase public access to the artwork and its long-term preservation. It is intended that the artwork be conserved as part of this process.
• Conservation and maintenance activities that will contribute to the long-term appreciation and sustainability of the artwork, including but not limited to: 
  • Cleaning, waxing, coating, and painting conducted by professional service providers
  • Replacement or addition of components to provide structural integrity to the artwork, frame, plinth, pedestal, base, or foundation integral to the display of the artwork
• Landscape site improvements such as drainage, plant pruning, maintenance, and/or replacement
• Lighting and electrical work that contributes to public accessibility by increasing visibility and safety, or improves energy efficiency of outdated lighting and digital components
• Conservation of existing or the creation of new identification and interpretive signage, including writers, designers, fabrication, and installation
• Organization administration/project management fee (cannot exceed 10% of the grant request)

Organizations apply via the secure online grants application software SmartSimple. Log in or create a free account at marylandarts.smartsimple.com.

• 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.

All grantees must file a final report in SmartSimple. The report will be added to the grantee’s SmartSimple profile as soon as the GAF is fully executed. 

The final report deadline for Conservation grants is April 30, 2028. 

The final report form collects information about the grantee and grant activities, including optional demographic information, data for the National Endowment for the Arts, summary of activities and use of grant funds, and other program-specific information and documents, as relevant.

Grant funds may not be used to offset grantees’ State liabilities; as such, grantees whose grant payments were intercepted by GAD due to Maryland state taxes or other state liabilities (as outlined in the Payments section) are not exempt from submitting the required report(s). Grantees must either return the funds to MSAC or follow through with their proposed grant activities and submit report(s) accordingly.

Grant recipient information is now available on our Grants Awarded page.