Maine Humanities Council Arts & Humanities Grants

The Arts & Humanities Grants program is a collaborative initiative between the Maine Humanities Council (MHC) and the Maine Arts Commission. This funding opportunity is specifically designed to support Maine-based organizations that present narratives and cultural expressions reflective of the state’s communities and people. The primary objective of this grant is to foster innovative community projects that incorporate both arts and humanities elements. This initiative underlines the importance of deepening public understanding of human experiences through thoughtful programming in literature, history, philosophy, visual arts, music, and other forms of cultural expression. The grant provides funding up to $1,000 for eligible projects and places particular emphasis on supporting organizations that serve or are led by members of communities traditionally under-resourced in the arts and humanities. Projects must clearly incorporate both an arts and humanities component and will be assessed based on their strength and clarity in several areas: the quality and integration of arts and humanities content, project goals and community impact, design and execution, strategies for outreach and engagement, and the overall budget. Eligibility is extended to organizations holding 501(c)(3) status, government entities—including federally recognized tribal governments and state or local agencies—as well as educational institutions such as public and private schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education. Faith-based organizations like churches may also apply. Organizations lacking formal nonprofit or governmental status must engage a fiscal sponsor to be eligible. Resources for understanding and obtaining fiscal sponsorship are recommended by the MHC, such as those provided by the National Council of Nonprofits. As of 2025, MHC has updated its grant eligibility policies. Any organization that receives an MHC project grant—whether Major, Mini, or Arts & Humanities—will not be eligible to reapply for any MHC grants in the same or the following calendar year. For example, an organization awarded a grant in any month of 2025 would not be eligible again until January 2027. The application process occurs twice annually. For the 2025 calendar year, the spring application period opens on April 22 and closes on May 20, while the fall round opens on September 23 and closes on October 21. Applicants are advised that project activities must not commence until at least eight weeks after the application closing date. Prior to submission, MHC encourages all prospective applicants—especially those unfamiliar with their grantmaking process—to consult with the Grants Team to ensure eligibility and improve the quality of submissions. Questions related to humanities content and the application process can be directed to Lizz Sinclair or Kyle Volland at the Maine Humanities Council, while arts-specific inquiries should be directed to Danielle Moriarty at the Maine Arts Commission. All projects supported by this grant must uphold the core principles of the humanities, including nonjudgmental discussion, critical inquiry, and an inclusive range of perspectives. The MHC does not support projects promoting specific political, religious, or ideological positions, nor any efforts that discriminate against individuals or groups. Successful proposals will reflect a spirit of intellectual openness and curiosity and will invite communities to engage deeply with the question of what it means to be human.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHC staff before applying, especially if unfamiliar with the process.