MSAC Creativity Grants for Projects

The MSAC Creativity Grants for Projects, offered by the Maryland State Arts Council, aim to enhance the sustainability of artists and small organizations. This program supports specific arts projects that engage the community and foster creative expression. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with monthly reviews from July 2025 to March 2026. Eligible independent artists and organizations can receive funding for diverse arts initiatives, contributing to a vibrant cultural landscape in Maryland.

Note: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from July 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 with a monthly review process.
Maryland State Arts Council
The Council comprises an appointed body of 17 citizens from across the state, 13 of whom are named by the Governor to three-year terms that may be renewed once. Two private citizens and two legislators are appointed by the President of the Senate and by the Speaker of the House. All councilors serve without salary.
To carry out its mission, MSAC awards grants to not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations for ongoing arts programming and projects. MSAC also awards grants to individual artists and provides technical and advisory assistance to individuals and groups. MSAC reserves the right to prioritize grant awards.
Mission and Goals
MSAC’s most recent strategic plan outlines five goals:
Increase Participation: Broaden MSAC’s constituency, providing avenues designed to increase pathways to engagement.Provide Intentional Support: Embrace thoughtful and targeted approaches to serving known and yet to be known MSAC constituents.Build Capacity: Work strategically to further build organizational and governance capacity to ensure that MSAC is capable of vigorously delivering on its mission.Leverage Connections: Further enhance current relationships and involve additional collaborators, and constituents who will benefit from and advance the work of MSAC.Bolster Maryland Arts: Showcase the high caliber, diverse and relevant work of Maryland's artists and arts organizations; their contributions to community vitality and MSAC’s role as a catalyst.
Creativity Grant Program
The purpose of the Creativity Grant Program is to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations to maintain a strong and stable arts infrastructure in the State of Maryland. The Creativity Grant also provides opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities.
Deadlines for the Creativity Grant Program are rolling. Applications will be reviewed monthly, and Creativity Grants will be awarded throughout the fiscal year until allocated funding is depleted. Applicants may only be funded once per fiscal year.
Creativity Grants for Projects are intended to support specific arts projects, events, or programs, this option is available for independent artists, as well as organizations. Each application should focus on a proposal for one specific project or program.
Independent Artists
Artists working without an affiliation to an organization may apply for Creativity Grants to support Individual or collaborative projects. The artist must produce or present projects or programs that are relevant to their community and are available to the public.
Organizations
Organizations 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 Organization, County Arts & Entertainment District grant programs in the fiscal year of the Creativity Grant application may apply for Creativity Grants to support:

• General operations Arts programs  Arts services Arts projects