APPLICATION PROCESS

Talbot Arts will host an in-person and Zoom information session at 6 pm on Wednesday, April 1, at the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Center. This session will provide an overview of the Community Arts Development program requirements, guidelines, and application process. Please be sure to RSVP for the information session to talbotartsevents@gmail.com so we can reserve your seat and forward the Zoom login information to attendees.

The application period for FY 2027 (July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027) opens on April 6 and will close on April 30, 2026.

To apply for these funds, complete and submit the online form to Talbot Arts by April 30, 2026. Please note that late applications will not be accepted, and we cannot extend the deadline.

Talbot Arts receives funding from the Maryland State Arts Council to support the Community Arts Development grant program. Since these funds are limited, applications are evaluated on specific criteria established by Talbot Arts. (See details below.) Grant recipients are chosen based on the strength of their applications and their alignment with the goals of both Talbot Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council. For example, one of last year’s grantees partnered with local schools to expand access to the arts for underserved students, demonstrating strong alignment with our priorities of community engagement and arts education. Sharing your project’s impact and collaborative approach can help us understand how your work contributes to these shared goals.

Tips for completing an online application

We recommend that you read through the application beforehand. Gather your information before beginning the application process. When you are finished, we will email a copy to the address you gave us. If you need help, please email jlevy@talbotarts.org.

REVIEW PROCESS

Members of the Talbot Arts Board are randomly assigned to review panels. Review panels meet to review each application assigned to their panel, discuss how each application meets the grant criteria and will benefit the community, and address any prior reviewers’ comments and feedback from the previous year.

The Executive Director provides administrative support in the grant review process. Key responsibilities include:

- Reviewing applications to ensure completeness

- Distributing applications to panel members

- Verifying that no conflicts of interest exist among panel members

- Staffing each review panel

- Recording all panel comments and feedback

If questions arise during the review, the Executive Director serves as the point of contact between the applicant and the review panel.

Notification

During the Talbot Arts May retreat, the Board approves grants for the coming fiscal year and awards funds based on preliminary grant notices from the Maryland State Arts Council. Once the FY 2027 grant is finalized, applicants are notified of their funding status by email.

By mid-July, an agreement letter and the review panel's comments and feedback are forwarded to all applicants. We provide this information to help applicants understand our decision-making process and equip them with actionable steps for future improvement. All grantees must sign and return the letter of agreement to Talbot Arts before grant funds are released.

Appeals Process

Talbot Arts is committed to distributing grant funds fairly and equitably in accordance with the stated criteria and past comments and feedback (for example, community impact and artistic merit). Denial of a grant or dissatisfaction with the funds awarded is not a valid reason for an appeal.

To appeal, follow these steps:

• Discuss: The applicant must first discuss the problem with the Executive Director.

• Submit: To pursue an appeal, the applicant must write a letter to the Executive Director within 15 days of receiving the grant award or denial letter, requesting reconsideration of Talbot Arts' decision and stating the grounds for the request.

• Receive: The applicant will receive written notification of the appeal determination within 30 days of receipt of the written request for reconsideration.

CRITERIA, REQUIREMENTS, AND EVALUATION

Grant Criteria

Use these criteria and requirements to craft a stronger, more competitive grant application. Talbot Arts frequently receives more grant requests than it can accommodate with its available resources. Talbot Arts retains the right to accept or reject grant applications, to suggest changes, and to support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all. In deciding on applications, Talbot Arts is guided by:

• Does the proposed project offer strong artistic merit?

• Does the organization demonstrate organizational effectiveness and the ability to conduct the activity and achieve its objectives?

• Will the proposed activity or program effectively serve the students, residents, and guests of Talbot County?

Requirements for Organizations Receiving Funds

• To receive funds from Talbot Arts, an organization must either be designated as a Maryland non-profit corporation with IRS tax-exempt status or be a government-related entity, such as a school or a parks and recreation department. The proposed arts activity must primarily benefit Talbot County residents and guests.

• Grants from the Arts Council must be matched on a one-for-one basis in cash. Matching funds are defined as funds from other sources equal to the amount you receive from Talbot Arts. * This requirement is suspended for FY 2027.

• Funds from any agency of the State of Maryland, or in-kind services, are not permitted. For example, a grant received from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority cannot be used as matching funds for your Talbot Arts application. * This requirement is suspended for FY 2027.

• 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. To request approval for a change, email grants@talbotarts.org at least 14 days before the proposed change. This helps ensure timely review and decision-making.

• All activities supported by Talbot Arts grants must be open to the public and accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ensuring your programs are accessible not only fulfills requirements but also expands your audience and deepens your impact in the community, allowing more people to engage with and benefit from the arts. For more information, go to www.talbotarts.org.

Evaluation of Grant Applications

To provide clarity and transparency, here is a step-by-step outline of the review process:

• Step 1: Applications are assigned to review panels composed of Talbot Arts Board members.

• Step 2: Each panel meets to read, evaluate, and discuss the assigned applications in accordance with established grant criteria and community impact.

• Step 3: After deliberation, each panel submits its funding recommendations to the full Talbot Arts Board.

• Step 4: The full Talbot Arts Board reviews panel recommendations and votes to make the final funding decisions.

This step-by-step process helps applicants understand how decisions are made and ensures a thorough and fair evaluation of every application.

Questions 1-3 indicate that the organization is in good standing:

• Is the applicant qualified to receive funds?

• Was the application submitted on time?

• Did the applicant submit a final report for the previous year?

• Is the organization’s mission clearly stated?

• Are the project(s) goals clearly stated?

• Has the organization demonstrated a plan to complete the project goals successfully?

• Do the project(s) demonstrate increased accessibility to the arts?

• Does the organization establish a commitment to diversity and equity?

• Does the project further the organization's mission?

• Are the project(s) adequately described, including the goals and plan to complete the project?

• Is the budget clear, relevant, and does it meet all the project’s requirements? Make sure every line item in your budget clearly connects to a project goal or requirement described above. This helps reviewers see how your planned expenses directly support your proposed objectives.

If your organization received funds from Talbot Arts in the previous year, the following questions apply:

• How has your organization addressed the comments and recommendations included in your FY 2025 grant feedback form?

• What programs, classes, workshops, or other opportunities did you pursue over the past 12 months to help you address the Maryland State Arts Council and Talbot Arts goals for equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in your organization?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TALBOT ARTS GRANTS

As a condition of receiving grants from Talbot Arts, organizations must acknowledge support from both the Maryland State Arts Council (MSA) and Talbot Arts (TA) in all materials and announcements for their funded projects.

To stay compliant, make sure to do both of the following:

   • Show both the Maryland State Arts Council and Talbot Arts logos wherever you mention or promote your funded project

   • Include this exact 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 acknowledgement text, visit https://www.talbotarts.org/resources

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

You are required to file a final report form with the Arts Council within 30 days of completing all grant activities, but no later than June 15. Submitting your report by the deadline helps us process your application for future grants more quickly and ensures that funding decisions for the next cycle are made without unnecessary delays. To remain in good standing with Talbot Arts and be eligible to receive grants in the future, you will need to comply with this requirement. You may fill out the final report here.