Arts Program
We recognize the important role the arts play in enabling people to express creativity, share their culture, perspectives and lived experiences, and learn about others’. 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 increase Maine residents’ access to arts experiences as audience members and as makers to expand opportunities for expression, learning, and inspiration. Our arts program supports our commitment to leveraging our resources to reduce systemic inequities so all people in Maine can fully realize their potential.
(Right) Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts Photo credit: Claire Brassil
(Left) 240 Strings
(Left) 240 Strings
(Right) Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts Photo credit: Claire Brassil
Three strategies guide our Arts Program:
STRATEGY I
Increase Access to Arts Education in Maine
We support programs that incorporate clear, age-appropriate learning goals and are led by skilled staff and teachers working from detailed curriculum plans, rather than programs that only offer casual arts activities. Our Arts Education grantmaking places priority on:
- programs for people living in rural areas with limited access to cultural programs
- organizations that demonstrate an equity-building orientation, including those that place priority on work that is by and/or for people of color, people living with disabilities, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and/or other groups that have been historically marginalized
- programs that offer curricula that are multicultural
- organizations that thoughtfully recruit and include a diverse set of students/participants and incorporate equity-based, low-barrier participation opportunities (such as sliding scale tuition or periodic free programs), rather than a limited number of scholarships to offset regular tuition
- programs designed for Kindergarten-age and above
STRATEGY II
Support Public Engagement in Maine
We primarily support arts-mission nonprofit organizations that offer ongoing events, particularly those that provide Maine residents free or low-cost experiences. We focus on programs with strong public engagement and that show meaningful consideration of the communities in which they take place. Our Public Engagement grantmaking places priority on:
- programs for people living in rural areas with limited access to cultural programs
- organizations that demonstrate an equity-building orientation: the Onion Foundation is particularly interested in work that is by and/or for people of color, people living with disabilities, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and/or other groups that have been historically marginalized
- programs that include artists from diverse identities and cultural backgrounds
- organizations that thoughtfully invite and include a diverse set of audience members and participants
STRATEGY III
Build the Capacity of Maine’s Arts Sector
INVITED PROPOSALS ONLY
We recognize 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. These include, but are not limited to, building equitable practices, organizational development, financial stability, worker skills, governance policies and practices, communications and marketing strategies, networking and collaboration, and advocacy.
Explore the Grant Opportunities page to learn more about our grant programs.
Photo credit: Opera Maine