Conservation License Plate Program

The Conservation License Plate Grant, administered by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA), is part of the state’s “Moose Plate” program, which funds arts and heritage conservation initiatives. Established under NH RSA 261:97-c, the program is designed to preserve and protect publicly owned artistic and historic resources that hold cultural significance for the state of New Hampshire. The grants support conservation efforts for artworks, historic cultural facilities, and arts-related materials that are part of the public trust. These efforts not only safeguard valuable heritage assets but also enhance public accessibility to these resources, including improvements in ADA compliance. The funding scope includes a wide range of projects: conservation of publicly owned artworks such as paintings, theater curtains, and sculptures; restoration of artistic elements of historic buildings like murals, stained glass, or ornamental fixtures; improving public access to significant artwork or arts documents; and making facilities or the arts programming within them more accessible to the public, especially individuals with disabilities. Importantly, these grants are not intended for the creation of new artworks, privately owned properties, engineering studies, or speculative future conservation efforts. All conservation or restoration work must be executed by professionals with demonstrated experience, such as certified conservators or traditional artisans. Eligibility is limited to New Hampshire municipalities, towns, counties, state agencies (excluding the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and its Divisions), federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations that manage publicly owned historic or artistic resources. A non-profit may apply only if it manages a resource that is publicly owned. All applicants must be in good standing with the State Arts Council and the NH Attorney General’s Office and must have submitted required reports for any past grants. The application process involves a mandatory pre-application consultation with the program coordinator to ensure the proposed project aligns with grant goals. Facility-based applicants must also complete a Determination of Eligibility for listing on the State or National Registers of Historic Places and submit project plans for review by the Division of Historical Resources. Submissions must be made through the Submittable online application system by March 20, 2026, and must include a completed budget form, responses to detailed narrative questions, required documentation of public ownership, photographic evidence, resumes of involved professionals, and other support materials. Drafts of narrative and budget documents can be reviewed if submitted two weeks before the deadline. Grant proposals are evaluated by a panel of conservation and preservation experts using a 100-point scale, assessing artistic/historic significance (40 points), public benefit and access (35 points), and project quality (25 points). Successful applicants will receive notification and panel feedback. Grants of $10,000 or more require approval by the Governor and Executive Council. Payment timelines vary based on grant size and cumulative award totals within the fiscal year. Grantees must provide insurance documents, certificates, and proof of good standing prior to disbursement. The grant period runs from June 1, 2026, to May 30, 2027. A final report is required within 30 days of project completion or by June 30, 2027, whichever is sooner. Extensions may be granted for up to one month. Failure to submit the final report jeopardizes future funding eligibility. This program does not require matching funds for the FY26 cycle. Applicants seeking assistance or clarification should contact Program Coordinator Kayla Schweitzer at [email protected] or (603) 271-0795.

Contacting the coordinator prior to submission is strongly recommended. Include realistic budgets and qualified conservators.