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Yes, the lead applicant must live in Maine in order to be eligible for grant funding.

Collaborators or participating artists can be from outside of Maine, though the grant is not intended to exclusively support collectives/projects outside of Maine.

We typically give out 12 – 15 grants each year ranging from $1,500 up to $5,000.

You may request $1,500 to $5,000.

The Kindling Fund seeks to define the visual arts in the most expansive ways possible. In the context of this grant, we believe the visual arts includes photography, performance, video, ceramics, earth works, drawing, bookmaking, weaving, crafts, installations, painting, mail art, printmaking, basketry, sculpture, calligraphy, social-engagement, participatory or community driven projects, glass, and design. If you are interested in proposing a project that is not listed and you think of it as a form of visual art, please give us a call.

Projects supported by The Kindling Fund may include (but are not limited to):

• Curatorial projects that focus on unconventional artistic practice or research methods
• A web-based project or app
• Public art projects, interventions or site-specific installations
• The publication of writing directly related to the visual arts, in print or online
• Performance projects that engage audiences in meaningful ways
• The creation of a program that supports other artists (a residency, an exhibition space or series, etc.)
• Any artist-focused initiative that incorporates the visual arts and fits outside of traditional institutions

Artists, curators, collectives, partnerships, arts writers, and artist-run spaces located in Maine are eligible to apply. 

Artists who were funded in the previous year or who have received $15,000 in support from the Kindling Fund over their lifetime, students, incorporated 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations or artists living outside of Maine are not eligible to apply. Grantees who have failed to complete their project by deadline as outlined in their application are not eligible to apply. Previous grantees who have filed to submit a final report are not eligible to apply until they have submitted all necessary paperwork.

• Private projects with no public component
• Performances or events that do not engage the visual arts
• Requests for travel or to participate in other projects
• Requests only for equipment
• Projects that primarily take place within established institutions or as part of a gallery or museum’s regular programming

Completion must occur within one year of the grant award, typically by December 31st.

The Kindling Fund seeks to define the visual arts in the most expansive ways possible. In the context of this grant, we believe the visual arts includes photography, performance, video, ceramics, earth works, drawing, bookmaking, weaving, installations, painting, mail art, printmaking, basketry, sculpture, craft, calligraphy, social-engagement, participatory or community driven projects, glass works, and design. If you are interested in proposing a project that is not listed and you think of it as a form of visual art, please give us a call. Sample project types include:

• A public art project, intervention or site-specific installation
• Performances that engage the public in meaningful ways
• Events that engage the visual arts
• The publication of writing directly related to the visual arts, including printed matter and online publications
• An online project or app
• Establishing an artist residency program
• A series of film or animation screenings
• Curatorial projects that focus on unconventional artistic practice
• Exhibitions with strong public component
• A lecture or workshop series
• Multimedia, video, VR or photo projects
• Social practice or socially engaged projects that engage the visual arts
• Establishing an exhibition space, artist-run space or artist collective
• An earthwork

• Artists who have received $15,000 from the Kindling Fund in the course of their lifetime
• Artists who have received a Kindling Fund grant the previous year
  Incorporated 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations
• Artists who are seeking support for projects taking place at nonprofit organizations or other traditional venues*
• Artists living outside of Maine
• Applicants currently enrolled in an academic program
• Artists who have failed to complete a project or failed to submit a final report

• Artists based in Maine
• Curators based in Maine
• Collectives based in Maine
• Collaboratives or partnerships based in Maine
• Artist-run spaces based in Maine