Apply for Creativity Grants for Projects (United States)

The Creativity Grant for Projects is available to independent artists and arts organizations. There are two options to choose from: The Project-Planning Grant is intended to support the early stages of research and development for a proposed project; the Project-Implementation Grant is intended to support the execution of a specific arts projects/event/program.

Funding Information

• The Creativity Grant Program supports eligible activities of Independent Artists and Arts Organizations, with grants up to $5,000.
  • General Operating Grants (for Organizations only) are available for up to $5,000.
  • Project-Implementation Grants are available for up to $4,000.
  • Project-Planning Grants are available for up to $2,000.
• If awarded funds, grantees agree to spend or obligate all funds by: August 15, 2025 (for applications submitted between July 2024 and December 2024); or December 31, 2025 (for applications submitted between January 2025 and April 2025). Obligation means that awarded funds are expended, encumbered, or otherwise legally committed to be used, such that returning the unspent funds would cause the grantee legal harm.

Use of Funds

• Creativity Grant funds may be used for expenses directly associated with the proposed eligible arts activities, including but not limited to:
  • Artist payment/stipends
  • Consultant fees; honoraria
  • Contractual services
  • Administrative expenses
  • Transport;
  • Artistic materials and supplies
  • Space/venue/equipment rental

Eligibility Criteria 

• Only organizations are eligible to apply for the Creativity General Operating Grants.
• Both organizations and independent artists are eligible to apply for the Creativity Project-Implementation and Project-Planning Grants.
• Arts organizations or arts programs must be one of the following:
  • Nonprofit organization (i.e., an organization with an IRS-designated 501(c)3 status)
    • Organizations must be incorporated in Maryland or have significant physical presence in Maryland. Organizations that are not incorporated in Maryland but have a significant physical presence in Maryland may not be eligible for a General Operating Grant, but may be eligible for a Project Grant to support activities taking place 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)
  • Organizations/programs with an allowable income of $50,000 or less OR organizations with an allowable income of more than $50,000 that have not received MSAC general operating funding through either the Grants for Organizations, County Arts Development, Arts & Entertainment District, or Folklife Network grant programs in the fiscal year of the Creativity Grant application may apply for a Creativity Grant to support general operations or an arts projects.
• Additional Eligibility Requirements for Arts Organizations:
  • An arts organization/arts program may only receive funding for one application per fiscal year
  • The organization/program must produce or present arts programs, services or projects that are relevant to its community and are available to the public
  • The organization must be in operation as an arts organization or arts program for at least one full fiscal year at the time of application and be able to submit a financial statement for their most recently completed fiscal year at the time of application.
• Independent artists must be:
  • An artist or collaborative group not directly affiliated with a larger arts organization or program
    • In the case of collaborative groups, having a membership comprising at least 50 percent Maryland residents.
    • In the case that an artist(s) is fiscally sponsored, the sponsored artist(s) must be a Maryland resident
  • Maryland residents (i.e., owning or renting residential property in Maryland six months prior to the application’s submission and throughout the funded project or program) who are 18 or older; those experiencing homelessness are encouraged to reach out to MSAC staff for details
  • Producing or presenting projects or programs that are accessible to the public
  • The lead artist whose original work is included in the proposed activities
  • Not enrolled in any matriculated high school, undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of application and throughout the grant activities outlined in the application
• Additional Eligibility Requirements for Independent Artists:
  • Only one application per named collaborative group will be considered for funding per fiscal year
  • Only one application per project or program will be considered for funding.

For more information, visit MSAC.