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Arts Program Strategies | General Eligibity | Application Deadlines & Guidelines | Arts Program FAQ

Arts Program Strategies

The Onion Foundation recognizes the arts’ important roles in creativity and sharing of culture and different perspectives. The arts are essential for the development of our intellect, our capacity for joy and compassion, and our feelings of connection to one another. We seek to connect Maine residents to arts experiences as audience members and as makers in order to offer opportunities for expression, learning, and inspiration. 

Three strategies guide our arts program:

STRATEGY I: INCREASE ACCESS TO ARTS EDUCATION IN MAINE

The Onion Foundation supports programs that incorporate learning goals and that are led by skilled staff and teachers working from detailed plans, rather than programs that only offer casual arts activities. We hope our grantees thoughtfully include a diverse set of students and incorporate equity-based, low-barrier participation opportunities rather than limited scholarship discounts. We encourage applicants to seek support for programs led by and serving historically under-resourced communities, and to offer curricula that are multicultural and do not engage in cultural appropriation. 

STRATEGY II: SUPPORT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN MAINE ARTS PROGRAMS

The Arts Program primarily supports arts-mission nonprofit organizations that offer ongoing events, in particular those that provide Maine residents free or low cost experiences. We give priority to programs with strong public engagement and that show meaningful consideration of the communities where they take place. When assessing proposals, we look for arts programming that includes underrepresented artists and stories, attention to marginalized audiences, and geographic diversity. We also look for concrete plans that are guided by a curatorial or programmatic vision and led by experienced staff who are, in turn, supported by their organizations through training and other resources.

STRATEGY III: BUILD THE CAPACITY OF MAINE’S ARTS SECTOR (INVITED PROPOSALS ONLY)

The Arts Program recognizes that strong programs come from a healthy and connected sector engaged in intersectional practices and invested in its workers. The Arts Program will work closely with organizations to identify capacity needs and priorities, which include, but are not limited to, organizational development, financial stability, worker skills, governance, communications and marketing strategies, networking and collaboration, and advocacy. 

We know that some arts organizations and programs offer both arts education and ongoing events, relating to both our Strategy I and our Strategy II. You may apply for our arts program grants with programs that align with either or both strategies. Please note that we are not accepting applications for our Strategy III Capacity Building grants through our open application process.

Application Deadlines and Guidelines

Applicants may request either general operating or project grants:

General operating grants offer unrestricted funds for your organization. If all of your organization’s activities align with one or both of these strategies, you may request general operating support. General operating proposals may request multi-year grants of up to three years. We will consider awarding:

• up to $20,000 per year (up to $60,000 total over three years) for organizations with annual budgets over $50,000.  

• up to $7,500 per year (up to $22,500 total over three years) for organizations with annual budgets under $50,000.

Project support grants offer funding for specific activities or programs, such as an ongoing concert series or an arts education department that’s part of a larger organization. If your organization’s work extends beyond our grantmaking strategies, you should request project support. All fiscally sponsored grants are project grants. Project proposals may request multi-year grants of up to three years. We will consider awarding: 

• up to $20,000 per year (up to $60,000 total over three years) for projects with budgets over $50,000. 

• up to $7,500 per year (up to $22,500 total over three years) for projects with budgets up to $50,000.

All requests should be aligned with one or both of the following Arts Program Strategies:

• Strategy One: Increase Access to Arts Education in Maine

• Strategy Two: Support Public Engagement in Maine Arts Programs

2024 Due Dates for Arts Program Grant proposals:

• March 13, 2024 (notification in May): Application Opens January 17th at Noon

• September 18, 2024 (notification in November)

To Apply for an Arts Program Grant:

• Returning Applicants (who have previously applied for or received a grant award from the Onion Foundation) should contact us via email to request an invitation to apply. Please include your name, organization, email address, and a brief description of your proposal.

• New Applicants may register and apply online during the application period. Step by step instructions for registering a new account and starting an application are available here.

Preview the Application here on google docs.

For general operating grant requests: Typically, we receive general support requests in the spring from organizations whose fiscal year began on January 1, and we receive requests in the fall from organizations whose fiscal years began July 1. This timing allows for interim and final reports to be submitted after the end of the fiscal year, and before the next year’s grant deadline.

* The Foundation will consider fiscally sponsored applications only for groups operating like organizations, not for artists seeking funding for their own work. New fiscally sponsored applicants should contact the Arts Program Officer for guidance before beginning the application. Fiscally sponsored requests must be for project support only.