Maine Artist Fellowship- Traditional Arts Grant

The Maine Artist Fellowship for Traditional Arts honors exceptional Maine artists committed to preserving traditional art forms. This merit-based award supports artists by providing unrestricted funds, promotional opportunities, and networking events throughout the year. Selected fellows will showcase their work on the Maine Arts Commission website and participate in a reception with staff and commissioners. This fellowship aims to recognize and sustain vital cultural practices among Maine's artistic communities.

The Maine Artist Fellowship recognizes artistic excellence in the overall career of a Maine artist. Fellowships are not grants for artist projects; they are merit-based awards that evaluated by a review panel on the level of artistic creativity and vision shown in the artists’ support materials. One artist will be selected for each discipline, creating a cohort of seven Maine Artist Fellows.
What an Artist can expect as a Maine Artist Fellow
Unrestricted award to help advance artists career as they see fitArtist Bios hosted on Maine Arts Commission website and included in all digital publicationsYear-long promotion/communications of fellow's activities.Fellowship Reception with Maine Arts Staff and Commissioners at the Blaine House in early 2026.Networking and other collaborative opportunities throughout the year.
Available to a person for the experience and commitment to the traditional art form they practice. The program honors Maine traditional artists who have devoted their lives to keeping a particular traditional art form alive. These arts call for a deep connection to place and local practices and play an essential role in shaping a traditional artist’s work and repertoire. This could include maintaining cultural traditions in building, writing, music, dance, textile arts, carving, weaving, boatbuilding, and other heritage expressions practiced by established populations or new immigrant artists.

Eligibility

Is an individual Maine artist or part of an artist collective(collectives may only apply once per award cycle, with one member as the primary contact and who submits the application).If applicable, has completed Final Reports required by the Maine Arts Commission for previous awards.Is a current Maine resident who has resided full-time in Maine for at least 2 years prior to the application deadline.Will be a Maine resident throughout the Fellowship period.Is at least 25 years of age or older by the application deadline.Is not an enrolled student at the start of the award cycle (July 1) Has not been previously awarded a Maine Artist Fellowship.Artistic Sample Guidelines:This could include images, audio, or video materials (Max. length: five minutes each), prose samples, poetry, etc.Traditional Arts: 8 max