The Artist Springboard Grant for Fiscal Year 2026 is designed to support emerging, developing, and career-changing artists residing in Maine. Administered by the Maine Arts Commission, this grant aims to fund artists who are new to the grant application process and have not previously received funding from the commission. The grant provides $1,500 per awardee to help artists create new or expand existing work, develop their artistic skills, participate in professional opportunities, or improve their ability to share their work with the public. Funded projects must take place between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be individual practicing artists who are current Maine residents and at least 18 years old by the application deadline. Applicants must be new, developing, or career-transitioning artists. Additionally, those who have previously received grants from the Maine Arts Commission must have completed all required final reports to be considered. However, artists who have received funding through the Maine Arts Commission Apprenticeships remain eligible to apply. Artists cannot apply for both the Artist Springboard Grant and the Artist Project Grant in the same funding cycle.

The grant funds can be used for a variety of artistic endeavors, including purchasing materials or equipment, covering production or installation costs, planning and preparation, touring or exhibition expenses, artist residencies, and hiring assistants or other artists. However, funds cannot be used for debt or loan repayment, purchasing equipment over $5,000, home office or studio expenses, educational programs that grant academic credit, or projects that promote specific political parties or religious groups.

Applications will be evaluated competitively based on four primary criteria: project feasibility (50%), impact on the artist’s goals and practice (20%), budget accuracy and feasibility (10%), and artistic excellence and merit (20%). Applicants must submit responses to key application questions about their work and project, a detailed budget, and supporting materials such as artist samples (images, audio, video, or writing), testimonials, and links to relevant work. All applications must be submitted through the online Application Portal.

After submission, applications will first be reviewed for completeness and eligibility by Maine Arts Commission staff. A panel of arts and culture professionals will then assess applications based on the outlined evaluation criteria. Awardees will be notified via email, and those selected must sign an agreement with the Maine Arts Commission before receiving funding. The disbursement of funds may take up to 12 weeks, requiring some recipients to cover initial costs out of pocket before reimbursement.

All awarded projects require a final report, due 14 days after the end of the funding period. Failure to submit this report may render an applicant ineligible for future Maine Arts Commission grants. For assistance with the application process or technical submission issues, applicants are encouraged to contact Eli Cabañas, Grants and Web Manager, at vog.eniam@sanabac.ile or 207-287-6746. Additionally, accessibility accommodations are available upon request to ensure inclusivity in the grant application process.