Our goal is for every student in Talbot County to have multiple opportunities to learn about and experience a variety of art disciplines, regardless of a school’s economic situation. Talbot Arts Arts-in-Education grants provide all Talbot County schools with funds for school-based arts enrichment programs, led by a Maryland-based artist during class hours. Arts enrichment programs, introducing students to different cultures and art forms, include school-based assemblies, residencies, workshops, and master classes.

All schools are eligible for Talbot Arts funding with a maximum of $5,000 per school per year. Grants are awarded on a first- come first-served basis, until all Arts in Education funds are depleted. Schools that offer additional programs at their own expense remain eligible. We encourage schools to apply promptly, as funding is limited. We review and evaluate our grant allocations at the beginning of each academic year. We believe our approach is fair, equitable, and transparent.

Subsidies

Talbot County schools are eligible for a variety of subsidies to reduce the cost of programs involving Maryland-based artists, including their travel expenses and art materials. Subsidies are available through and other programs sponsored by Arts for Learning Maryland, Carpe Diem Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Arts for Learning Maryland

Through a variety of grant opportunities, Arts for Learning Maryland offers schools grants to cover a portion of program costs, making it easier to bring Arts for Learning teaching artists to the classroom! To learn more about these grant opportunities, please get in touch with Tara Dougherty at tara.d@artsforlearningmd.org or programteam@artsforlearningmd.org. They will work with you to identify the program type that best meets your school's specific needs.

Arts for Learning Maryland provides Access for All funds to eliminate financial barriers for bringing artists into schools, particularly in communities with significant economic challenges, limited cultural resources, and students requiring a higher level of educational support. The Access for All grant subsidizes up to 80% of total expenses. Assemblies, residencies, workshops, and professional development programs are eligible. Schools can apply their Talbot Arts grant funds to cover the remaining costs.

If a school does not qualify for the Access for All program, the staff at Arts for Learning Maryland will work with teachers to apply for funds available from the Maryland State Arts Council Arts in Education program. These grants subsidize the full cost of an Arts for Learning program with an MSAC-approved artist, including supplies and travel costs, up to $6,000. Schools can apply their Talbot Arts grant funds to cover the remaining costs.

Carpe Diem Arts

Carpe Diem Arts partners with master teaching artists to offer students of all ages opportunities in the visual, literary, and performing arts, bringing the arts to life. Teachers may select a Maryland-based artist from their list and use the Arts in Education grant to help cover costs.

If the artist is also listed with the Maryland State Arts Council Teaching Artists, Carpe Diem will assist with the Maryland State Arts Council Arts in Education Grant application. For more information, contact Leslie Adelman, Shore Programs Coordinator, leslieadelman@carpediemarts.org. Schools can apply their Talbot Arts grant funds to help cover these costs.

Teaching Artists Rosters

Schools are encouraged to choose artists listed in either the Arts-in-Education Visiting Performer Roster of the Maryland State Arts Council (www.msac.org/directory) or the Arts for Learning Maryland roster (www.artsforlearngmd.org/artist). These teaching registries are recommended resources for connecting with Maryland-based professional teaching artists. These artists are selected through a panel review process and have met each organization’s inclusion criteria.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Before beginning the application process, verify that your school submitted a final report for the academic year 2025-2026. We disburse funds only to schools that have complied with this requirement.

We recognize the importance of equitable access and encourage all schools that are in good standing, regardless of prior participation or resources, to apply for funding. Support is available to schools that may need guidance with the application process, ensuring that all interested schools have a fair opportunity to receive funding.

Review the guidelines, complete a grant application, and agree to submit a final report by June 15, 2027. Multiple teachers from a school can apply for funds; however, the total of requests must be at most the school’s allocation. We accept applications on a rolling basis until March 31, 2027, for programs scheduled through June 15, 2027. ‍ ‍

CRITERIA, REQUIREMENTS, AND EVALUATION

Grant Criteria

Talbot Arts retains the right to accept or reject Arts in Education grant applications, to suggest changes, and to support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all. In deciding on applications, the Arts Council is guided by:

• The artistic merit of the proposed program.

• The ability of the school to carry out the activity.

• How well the program will serve the students.

• A Maryland-based artist leads the activity.

The Executive Director reviews Arts in Education applications to be sure they adhere to the Arts Council’s guidelines. If there are any questions about the proposed program, the Executive Director will refer the application to the Arts in Education/Scholarship Committee for their input and guidance.

Requirements for Organizations Receiving Funds

• To receive Talbot Arts, Arts in Education funds, a school must either be designated as a not-for-profit or tax-exempt by the IRS.

• Because school grants are often funded by the governments of Talbot County and Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels, they are limited to schools based in Talbot County. 

• A Maryland-based artist leads the arts activity.

• The proposed activity must primarily benefit Talbot County students.    

• Funds must be used as indicated in the application. Any proposed changes, including those of artist, date, time, or site, must be approved by Talbot Arts in advance.

• Arts-in-Education funds may be used for arts-related programs only.  

• All arts in education program activities supported by Arts Council grants must be open to all students and accessible to students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, go to www.talbotarts.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are some of the key changes to the program this year?

Changes include award amount, availability, funding basis, timeline, and execution.

Award Amounts: Rather than allocating a specific dollar amount to each school, we are making awards available to all schools that choose to apply. Schools can apply for grants up to maximum of $5,000 per school per year. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to, artist residencies, visiting performances, visual arts workshops, music ensembles, theatre projects, and dance classes.

Availability: Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are reviewed and approved until all Arts in Education funds have been spent.

Funding Basis: Funds are not reserved for each school. Awards are no longer automatic. Your school must apply to receive funds.

Timeline: The rolling application window opens September 15, 2026 and closes on March 31, 2027.

Execution: All funded programs must be fully implemented by June 15, 2027.

How is this grant process the same as we have done in the past?

We expect the same degree of accountability. We award funds based on meeting our criteria, requirements, and guidelines. Teachers must complete a grant application and submit a final report by June 15, 2027. Failure to submit reports will jeopardize future grant opportunities.

What is the grant funding process?

It takes about 10 days to approve and process a grant application. Talbot Arts begins the application review as soon as we receive an automated email confirming the online form has been submitted. Once the Executive Director finds the application meets all criteria, a check is mailed to Sherry Spurry, Talbot County Curriculum Supervisor, Office of Teaching and Learning for programs in public schools. The teacher requesting the program will receive an email confirming program approval and payment. For all other schools, notification that the grant is approved is forwarded to the teacher, and a check is sent to the school, unless other payment arrangements have been made. All checks are mailed directly from our account at Shore United Bank. Funds are not approved retroactively.‍ ‍

When will my school receive funds?

Included with the email notification, you will receive a confirmation from our account at Shore United Bank that the check has been processed. It takes approximately 10 working days to receive your payment.

Are mini-grants available?

Schools are still welcome to apply for a mini-grant. We accept applications for mini-grants until the mini-grant budget is depleted. However, we can no longer provide transportation funds through the mini-grant program.

How may these funds be used (allowable expenses)?

The purpose of these grants is to provide funds for school-based arts programs. These funds are only to be used for arts enrichment programs held during regular school hours.

What expenses are not covered by the grant (unallowable expenses)?

• These funds are not intended to fund parts of the regular school curriculum.

• These funds are not to be used for afterschool musical theater and dramatic productions.

• They are not to be used to purchase art materials or supplies typically found in an art room inventory.

• Non-arts programs, ecological, or health/fitness presentations are not eligible for funding.

• Funds cannot be used for transportation costs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TALBOT ARTS GRANTS

As a condition of receiving grants from Talbot Arts, organizations are required to acknowledge support from both the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and Talbot Arts (TA) in all materials and announcements for your funded projects. You are required to display both logos and include some form of the statement “this program is funded in part by Talbot Arts with revenues provided by the Maryland State Arts Council and the governments of Talbot County, Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels." For more information about our logos and acknowledgment text, go to www.talbotarts.org.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Funds must be used as indicated in the application. Any proposed changes, including those of artist, date, time, or site, must be approved by the Arts Council in advance. You are required to file a final report form with the Arts Council no later than June 15, 2027. To remain in good standing with the Arts Council and be eligible to receive grants in the future, you must comply with this requirement. You may fill out the final report here.

Revised 07/15/2025