The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is a private nonprofit organization that fosters the arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County, Maryland. HCAC operates under a Board of Directors and administers grant programs authorized by the Howard County Government, including grants for select Baltimore City arts and cultural organizations. They are committed to a competitive, transparent, and compliant grantmaking process aligned with Maryland State Arts Council criteria and local governance standards.
The FY 2026 Baltimore City Arts & Cultural Grant Program aims to foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in arts and cultural offerings for Howard County residents. It supports broadening opportunities for audiences, promoting regionalism, and raising awareness of arts resources. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary mission is arts or cultural programming, offer significant services to Howard County citizens, and comply with federal, state, and local non-discrimination regulations.
Applications open in February 2025 and must be submitted by April 10, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. Selected awardees will be notified no earlier than September 2025. Grant recipients must submit an interim report by January 30, 2026, and a final report by July 15, 2026. All grant activities must be accessible to disabled persons, and use of copyrighted materials without permission is prohibited. Funding restrictions include prohibitions against capital improvements, land purchases, tuition assistance, travel, fundraising, and political activities.
Applicants may submit only one application per cycle. The review process involves an Artistic Review Panel, HCAC's Committee on Grants, and final approval by HCAC's Board of Directors. Evaluation focuses on artistic or cultural merit, service to Howard County residents, and the applicant’s financial and administrative capacity. Organizations must also demonstrate diversity and accessibility in their programs.
Matching requirements apply based on the size of the grant requested. For grants of up to $10,000, a 1:1 match is required. Higher amounts require escalating match ratios. Funds must be used only for approved purposes, and any fraudulent misrepresentation nullifies the grant agreement. Attribution to HCAC and Howard County is mandatory in all publicity.
If dissatisfied with a grant decision, appeals may only be made based on procedural improprieties, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or materially incorrect information during the review. Appeals must be submitted within fifteen days of notification.
