Community Arts Development Project Grant

The Community Arts Development (CAD) Project Grant is administered by the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC), a private nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering arts, artists, and arts organizations in Howard County, Maryland. This grant is part of HCAC’s broader mission to expand and strengthen community access to the arts, and it is developed in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Howard County Government. HCAC's responsibilities include developing the grant process, reviewing and evaluating applications, selecting recipients, and disbursing awards. The CAD Project Grant is structured to support both arts-specific and nonprofit organizations undertaking arts-related projects that directly benefit Howard County residents. The CAD Project Grant program aims to support creative, community-centered arts initiatives such as exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, cultural festivals, workshops, and arts publications. The grants are limited in scope, with a funding cap of $6,000, and are designed to support projects that demonstrate artistic merit, benefit the community, and are administratively and fiscally feasible. Funds may only be applied to direct expenses related to the proposed project, and cannot be used for travel, capital improvements, refreshments, political activity, or other restricted uses. Matching funds are required on a cash basis, with a 1:1 match ratio up to the $10,000 tier. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Howard County, with a demonstrated history of public programming, sound fiscal management, and at least 50% of business operations occurring within the county. Non-arts nonprofits are eligible only if they apply for projects involving a clearly defined artistic product or process, and their proposals must focus exclusively on direct artistic expenses. Applicants may only submit one application per cycle, either for general operating support or for a project grant—not both. First-time applicants must apply under the project category for two consecutive years before becoming eligible to seek general operating support. Applications for the FY 2026 grant cycle opened in February 2025 and closed on May 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The grant funding period for project grants runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The review process includes a technical eligibility check followed by an evaluation from an artistic review panel, which assesses proposals based on artistic merit, community service, and organizational capacity. Notifications of award decisions are expected in September 2025. Successful applicants must submit an interim report by January 30, 2026, and a final report by July 15, 2026. The grant disbursement is split into two payments, with the first issued in September following the award notification and the second in February, contingent upon receipt and approval of the interim report. Project adjustments or changes must be communicated to HCAC in writing, and unused funds must be returned. All grant-related activities must occur within the designated performance period, and appropriate credit must be given to HCAC, Howard County Government, and the Maryland State Arts Council in all public materials. CAD Project Grants are recurring annually, with applications typically opening each February. Based on this structure, the next anticipated application cycle will open in February 2026. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to contact HCAC at grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org or by phone at (410) 313-2787 for technical assistance.

Emphasize artistic merit and community benefit. Match requirements and accessibility compliance are strictly enforced.