New Artworks Grant

Grant applications must name a lead artist and include a fully designed artwork proposal within the application. 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 following their award. Please note that in fiscal year (FY) 2027, a lead artist can only be named on one submitted application within a grant cycle. If multiple applications list the same lead artist, all applications will be considered ineligible.

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

• Designed by a Maryland artist through a community engagement process.
• New, original, and specifically designed and fabricated for PAAM grant support.
  • May be temporary or permanent
  • May be sited in or on any interior or exterior space accessible to the public, such as: parks and trails, plazas, sidewalks, community centers, libraries, schools, and local government buildings
  • Artwork types may include, but are not limited to: sculpture, mural/painting, tile mosaic, mixed media, photography, and digital works
  • May include functional amenities such as: benches, bike racks, creative way-finding, fences, screens, gateways, light works, awnings, and trellises
• 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.

Project grants may be used to support organizations that are working with a lead artist to fabricate and install new public artwork(s). Applications must identify the artist(s) creating the artwork through a community engagement process and include a fully designed proposal with proof of permission to be installed.

Grant funds may be used for:

• Artist(s) fee(s)
• Contracted services such as studio assistants, fabricators, contractors, artwork installers, photographers, etc.  
• Equipment and/or space rentals needed for fabrication and/or installation
• Artwork materials and/or tools for fabrication and/or installation
• Plaque/Interpretive signage
• Transportation of the artwork to the site
• Insurance, permitting fees
• Organization administration/project management fee (cannot exceed 10% of the total grant request) 
• Artwork dedication expenses, including signage plaque

Independent Artists or 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 New Artwork 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. 

Failure to submit reports may jeopardize current or future MSAC grants and may result in the required return of grant funds to the State of Maryland. Before any funds are distributed, grantees are also required to submit any outstanding reports or address requirements for any other MSAC grants they have received. 

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