The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County invests in the local arts community through grantmaking. The Community Arts Grant is our capstone program and provides general operating funds to the county’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations. Twice a year, we offer Mini Grants to a broader range of organizations, with the goal of supporting high-impact projects that reach new audiences or fill a gap within the community. Our Arts in Education program funds school performances and artistic residencies. Annual Strategic Grants build organizational capacity and stimulate innovation. Additional targeted grant programs are added throughout the year, as funding becomes available.
ACAAC recently reviewed and revised its grant programs to ensure that marketing, application and review processes, and funds awarded reflect our organizational principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Targeted outreach efforts are helping to engage every member of our arts community, and simplified applications, accessible support, and transparent evaluation processes will help to level the playing field.
Be sure to sign up for our email list and check this page often to learn about upcoming grant opportunities.
View list of current grant offerings on our Submittable page
Grants & Guidelines
Community Arts Grant Tier I
Application Period
April 15 - May 15
Funding
For organizations with an annual operating budget of up to $100,000
Founding Grants for new applicants up to $2,500 per year
Overview
Annual Community Arts Grants provide general operating support to 501(c)(3) arts organizations that are based in and provide programming in Anne Arundel County.
Founding Grants are for nonprofits that have not previously received Community Arts Grant funding.
Community Arts Grant Tier II
Application Period
April 15 - May 15
Funding
For organizations with an annual operating budget of between $100,000 – $750,000
Founding Grants for new applicants up to $2,500 per year
Overview
Annual Community Arts Grants provide general operating support to 501(c)(3) arts organizations that are based in and provide programming in Anne Arundel County.
Founding Grants are for nonprofits that have not previously received Community Arts Grant funding.
Community Arts Grant Tier III
Application Period
April 15 – May 15
Funding
For organizations with an annual operating budget of more than $750,000
Founding Grants for new applicants up to $2,500 per year
Overview
Annual Community Arts Grants provide general operating support to 501(c)(3) arts organizations that are based in and provide programming in Anne Arundel County.
Founding Grants are for nonprofits that have not previously received Community Arts Grant funding.
Mini Grants
Application Period
May 1 – 31 (Fall Mini Grant)
October 1 – 31 (Spring Mini Grant)
Funding
Up to $2,500
Overview
Mini Grants support arts programming by nonprofits or community organizations that will benefit an underserved audience or fill a community need. Partnerships are highly encouraged, and a 1:1 cash match is required.
Strategic Impact Grant
Application Period
March 15-April 15
Funding
$5,000 – $75,000
Overview
The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has allocated $150,000 to provide funding for a one-time Strategic Impact Grant for county arts organizations. This grant is designed to provide for substantive, organizational transformation that will take the organization’s operations or performance to the next level. Applicants must be current or former Community Arts or Founding grantees.
Arts in Education Grants
Application Period
August 15 – September 15
Funding
There is no preset range, but please note that ACAAC is unable to fully fund most programs. We recommend you plan a 1:1 cash match for your project.
Overview
These grants enable schools and PTO/PTA groups to present quality performances and residencies for students in dance, history, music, theatre, and arts-related or arts-integrated projects. All accredited K-12 Anne Arundel County public and private schools are eligible to apply. Learn more about our AiE program HERE
Anne Arundel County Arts and Cultural Resources Grants
Application Period
March 1 -March 31 (Spring Applications) - Cycle Closed
October 15 – November 15 (Fall Cycle)
Funding
Up to $4,000
Overview
This funding opportunity is the result of a partnership between ACAAC and Anne Arundel County, and provide funding for programming that utilizes heritage resources in Anne Arundel County in a new or innovative way; increases public access to historic sites; improves or enhances how the public engages with heritage resources; and/or encourages the maintenance and preservation of important heritage sites.
Applications will be accepted from organizations located in the City of Annapolis that provide programming for the citizens of Anne Arundel County. This grant cycle will also consider funding request that include as part of the request, support for certain limited physical improvements to an historic property that will directly support or expand proposed programming, and help the applicant provide for safe, ADA-compliant public access. Support to acquire, upgrade or maintain physical assets of the applicant must be directly related to proposed or current public programming or events.
2023 ARPA - Anne Arundel County Local Artist Support Program - Independent Artist
Application Period
Application Closed
Funding
$2,500
Overview
Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the federal government has made funds available to local jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County, to assist in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The County Council has appropriated funds for distribution to qualified entities in Anne Arundel County, and County Executive Steuart Pittman has allocated a portion of these monies to help rebuild the local arts economy. The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, which has been directly involved in grantmaking to the local arts community for more than 25 years, is administering a program to distribute this funding to local artists.
Final report are now open, and due April 30th. To access log into your submittable account.
