Cultural Facilities Grant Reintroduced

Nonprofit arts organizations are an essential part of Maine’s economy. A recent study of a small portion of Maine’s museums showed that $148 million was generated in sales from these alone each year, and that $7.5 million was generated in tax revenue.

To make sure this essential sector of Maine’s economy is able to accommodate their patrons, the Maine Arts Commission is reintroducing its Cultural Facilities grant for a small window of time. The deadline for applications is January 13, 2011; the maximum grant award is $5,000 and the full guidelines are available at MaineArts.com.
Funded through the New Century Community program, as part of a citizen bond allocated to the seven member organizations of the Maine Cultural Affairs Council, this grant program will offer several one-time grants for new capital projects and renovations, as well as technology projects and/or improvements. The Maine Arts Commission will provide funding for: new construction, repairs or renovations of existing facilities owned and operated by a nonprofit Maine arts organization, or repair, upgrade, or replacement of capital technology equipment for a facility operated by a nonprofit Maine arts organization.

This program was last offered in 2009 and this year’s grant awards will represent the final dispersal of the agency’s facilities funds. In the past the Cultural Facilities grant funded projects at the Haystack Mountain School of Craft’s to assist their plans to upgrade assisted listening equipment and lighting in the school's ADA accessible public Gateway Auditorium. Support was also provided for ADA restroom upgrades to Maine State Ballet’s building on Route One in Falmouth.

Projects do not need to address an ADA upgrade specifically during this round. However, as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, priority will be given to organizations that have completed the development of an ADA/504 plan (http://www.arts.gov/about/504Workbook.html) working toward accessibility. For more information about 504 plans, please contact Keith Ludden, accessibility coordinator, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov, Nextalk ID: keith.ludden.

For more information about the grant itself, contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior grants associate, at 207/287-2750, or through e-mail at kathy.shaw@maine.gov.