The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is dedicated to advancing the arts across the state. Its mission focuses on championing creative expression, diverse programming, equitable access, lifelong learning, and enhancing the quality of life through the arts for all Marylanders. MSAC aims to increase participation, provide intentional support, build capacity, leverage connections, and bolster the arts in Maryland, showcasing the work of artists and arts organizations to enrich community vitality.
The Maryland State Arts Council awards grants to support not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations in their ongoing arts programming and projects, as well as to individual artists. The grants aim to prioritize diverse programming, equitable access, and the enhancement of arts education and lifelong learning opportunities. Specific grants like the Special Request grants are offered to support arts activities that are unique and outside the typical scope of organizations' budgets, helping to advance and build capacity within Maryland's arts sector. These grants align with the Council's strategic goals: to increase participation, provide intentional support, build organizational capacity, leverage connections, and bolster the contributions of Maryland's artists and arts organizations to community vitality.