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
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.
Arts in Education Grants
Application Period
September 15 – October 31
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 3-31 (Spring Cycle)
October 1 – 31 (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.
Please note that organizations in the City of Annapolis will be eligible for the Spring 2022 cycle. During this round, we will also consider funding projects 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.
Community Arts Grants
Application Period
April 1 – 30
Funding
No preset range for current grantees
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.
An information session was held for applicants on Monday, April 11th.
Click here to view the recording.
2022 Local Artists Support Program Grants for Independent Artists
Application Period
January 10 – February 10
Funding
Up to $2,500
Overview
Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act has been allocated by Anne Arundel County to provide grants to rebuild the local arts economy. The Grants for Independent Artists program will offer one-time payments to county-based independent, professional artists to help compensate for financial losses sustained due to the pandemic.
This application period is now closed. Funding notifications will be made in mid-March.
2022 Local Artists Support Program Grants for Arts Organizations
Application Period
February 20 - March 20
Funding
Varies, based on organization’s FY2022 budget
Overview
Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act has been allocated to the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County to provide grants help rebuild the local arts economy. The Grants for Arts Organizations program will offer one-time awards to county-based small-to-medium nonprofit arts organizations, to help compensate for financial losses sustained due to the pandemic.
This application period is now closed.
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