Community Arts Development Grants
Talbot Arts invites grant applications for the Community Arts Development (CAD) Program to fund arts activities that serve Talbot County. We are committed to ensuring that the marketing, application, review processes and awarded funds reflect our principals of diversity, equity, and accessibility. Our goal is to engage all members of the community through targeted outreach. Our simplified application process, easily accessible support, and transparent evaluations create an even playing field.
The grant money for these programs comes almost entirely from the Maryland State Arts Council. The Board will determine each grant based on the amount available for funding in a given year, your organization’s request, or other financial support, and the degree of your organization’s community engagement. This will enable Talbot Arts to use State and local funding to ensure that everyone throughout the county can access the arts.
Non-profit and government-related organizations that provide equitable access to diverse and inclusive local arts activities for citizens and visitors to Talbot County can apply for Community Arts Development grants. We are especially interested in programs that bring the arts to underserved communities, including people in healthcare settings, the economically disadvantaged, seniors, and those with special needs.
Application Process
Talbot Arts will host a Zoom information session at 6 pm on Thursday April 11, 2024. This session will provide an overview of the Community Arts Development program requirements, guidelines and how to apply. Please RSVP to the information session, talbotartsevents@gmail.com, so we can forward the login information.
The application period for FY 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) opens on April 15 and will close on May 15, 2024.
To apply for these funds, complete and submit the online form to the Arts Council by the deadline for FY 2025 grants. Grantees are eligible to receive up to 50 percent of the direct cost of the approved arts project. When completing the application, provide only the project budget - not the organization’s budget. An organization may request only one single component grant or a multiple component grant per fiscal year. You are welcome to contact Joan Levy, Executive Director, (410-245-5195 / jlevy@talbotarts.org) to discuss whether your grant request should be in a single or multiple-component form.
Tips for completing an online application:
We recommend reading through the application in advance. Gather your information before beginning the application process. When you are finished, a copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided. You will receive an email confirming we have received your application. For assistance, 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, address any prior reviewers’ comments and feedback, and determine how the program will benefit the community.
The role of the Executive Director in the grant review process is to provide support. This support includes reviewing applications to ensure they are complete, distributing them to panel members, verifying no conflicts of interest among panel members, staffing each review panel, and recording all comments and feedback. If any questions arise during the review process, the Executive Director acts as the interface between the applicant and the review panel.
Notification
The Board approves grants for the coming fiscal year and applicants are immediately notified of their funding status following the organization’s annual spring retreat.
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 process and equip them with actionable items for future improvements. All grantees must sign and return the letter of agreement to Talbot Arts before releasing grant funds.
Appeals Process
Talbot Arts ensures that grant funds are distributed fairly and equitably based on the stated criteria and past comments and feedback. Denying a grant or dissatisfaction with the funds awarded is not a valid reason for an appeal. A grant request may be reconsidered if there was a procedural error during the review process or if the decision was based on criteria outside the guidelines.
If an applicant believes there is a legitimate reason for an appeal, the following steps must be taken:
· The applicant must discuss the problem with the Executive Director who handled the application.
· To pursue an appeal, the applicant must write a letter to the Executive Director within 15 days following receipt of the grant award or denial letter requesting a reconsideration of Talbot Arts' decision and stating the grounds for the request.
· The applicant will receive written notification on the determination of the appeal within 30 days of the receipt of the written request for reconsideration.
CRITERIA, REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Grant Criteria
Talbot Arts frequently receives more grant requests than can be accommodated by the resources available. Therefore, the Arts Council 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, the Arts Council is guided by:
The artistic merit of the proposed activities.
Organizational effectiveness – the ability of the applying organization to carry out the activity
Service to the community – how well the proposed activity or program will 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 by the Arts Council must be matched on at least 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 2025.
Funds from any agency of the State of Maryland, or in-kind services, are not permitted. * This requirement is suspended for FY 2025.
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.
Arts Council funds may not be used for “party art” such as magicians, face painting, hair braiding, or balloon sculpture; for food or drink; for capital improvements or for fundraising expenses, either directly or indirectly.
All activities supported by Arts Council grants must be open to the public and accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, go to www.talbotarts.org.
Evaluation
Community Arts Development grants are reviewed by an internal committee. Their recommendations are submitted to the Talbot Arts board for final approval. The committee uses the following rubric to evaluate each 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 mission clearly stated?
Are the project(s) goals clearly stated?
Does the project(s) demonstrate increased accessibility to the arts?
Does the organization establish a commitment to diversity?
Does the organization meet a community need and explain how it meets that need?
Is the project(s) adequately described?
Is the budget clear, relevant, and meet all requirements?
If your organization received funds from the Arts Council in the previous year, the following questions apply:
How has your organization addressed the comments and recommendations included in your FY 2024 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 are required to acknowledge support from both the Maryland State Arts Council (MSA) 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 acknowledgements text go to www.talbotarts.org.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
You are required to file a final report form with the Arts Council within 30 days after completing all grant activities, but always by June 15. To remain in good standing with the Arts Council and be eligible to receive grants in the future, it is important you comply with this requirement. You may fill out the final report here.
Revised 2/12/2024
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do the Community Arts Development Grants fund?
Annual Community Arts Development Grants support to 501(c)3 arts organizations and organizations providing arts programs in Talbot County. These grants are tied to specific projects and they are not intended to support the organization’s everyday operations.
How much money can I request?
As a county arts agency, the funds Talbot Arts receives from the Maryland State Arts Council are our primary source of funding for the Community Arts Development grant program. Grant requests are not currently limited. In FY 2024, Talbot Arts distributed $120,000 in grants to 21 applicants. These grants ranged from $1,000-$24,000. An organization can request an amount that is in line with previous grant awards, and reflects current programming.
How much funding can I expect to receive?
Talbot Arts frequently receives more requests than it can accommodate. We consider the quality of the application, the organization’s track record for producing quality programs, innovative approaches to arts programming, and efforts to reach new audiences. As the county arts agency, our primary mission is to support and provide access to the arts for all citizens and visitors to Talbot County.
Do you require a match?
No, a match is not required for this grant.
When will I find out if my organization is awarded a grant?
Notifiction of awards will be sent by on or around July 15, 2024.
When will I receive payment?
The first grant payment of 50% will be made by Talbot Arts by October 1. Organizations receive a check directly from our account at Shore United Bank.
Who can I talk to if I need help with the application?
We are here to offer assistance and guidance. If you need help with an application, email jlevy@talbotarts.org. Be sure to include your contact information and the best time to reach you.