SPACE is excited to announce that the Sonic Visions Fund is back in 2025!
If you would like this announcement or the application translated into a language other than English, please reach out to info@space538.org.
This is the 4th year of our homegrown grant program funding multi-dimensional projects led by Maine musicians. With generous support from the Onion Foundation, SPACE will award five $3,000 grants with additional financial support available for production, marketing, and documentation. SPACE will also offer an additional $500 to $1,000 stipend to any grantee that wants to tour their project within and outside of Maine.
Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, July 27th at 11:59pm.
We will hold an info session for all interested musicians at SPACE on Tuesday, July 15th at 6pm. You can RSVP here. A low-tech remote option will be offered for those in other parts of the state, but in-person attendance is encouraged for those who are able! Notes from the info session can be found here.
- Projects can be, but are not limited to live performances, video projects, sound installations, new compositions, recorded works, and digital and interactive pieces. Projects may certainly involve several of these elements and beyond.
- All projects must have a public component. This can be a performance, an installation, a digital event, an artist talk, or anything else public or participatory. Applicants are encouraged to consider the possibilities of outdoor events and installations. SPACE will provide additional production, promotional, and documentation support for the public components of the projects.
- Projects may be collaborative and multidisciplinary, but at least half of the collaborators involved in the project must be based in Maine.
- Collaborators may work on an application together, but all projects must have one lead applicant and point of contact, who is a Maine-based musician.
All projects must be completed by February 1st, 2026.
Please read through the detailed FAQ below before submitting an application. Email peter@space538.org with additional questions.
Sonic Visions is part of SPACE’s continued efforts to create funded opportunities for musicians in Maine. We hope to grow the size of the individual awards and the total amount of musician grantees in future years and are actively seeking funding support to do so. Individuals, foundations, or organizations interested in contributing to these ongoing efforts should contact director@space538.org.
FAQ
Who may apply to the Sonic Visions Fund?
Any musician over the age of 18 that is currently based anywhere in Maine may apply, with the exception of current full time students. Musicians need not have performed at SPACE or have any prior relationship with SPACE. Musicians of all backgrounds and genres are invited to apply.
How much is being awarded?
Each award will be a $3,000 project grant. These grants can be considered project stipends. The funds can be used for any project expense and as compensation for the grantee and any collaborators. Musicians may seek or use additional funding for their projects, as desired. SPACE will provide additional support for the production, promotional, and documentation of the public components of the projects.
Applicants may also apply for an additional $500 to $1,000 to support touring plans. Tours must consist of at least three performances in different communities, with at least one of those performances being outside of Maine.
How many awards will be given out?
Five projects will receive grants. We hope to grow the size of the individual awards and the total amount of musician grantees in future years and are actively seeking funding support to do so.
What sorts of projects are eligible?
Projects can be, but are not limited to live performances, video projects, sound installations, new compositions, recorded works, and digital and interactive pieces. Projects may certainly involve several of these elements and beyond. All projects must have a public component, such as a performance, an installation, a digital event, an artist talk, or anything else public or participatory. Musicians can email peter@space538.org to check in about specific project concepts before applying.
What kinds of projects have received grants in the past?
We encourage applicants to seek inspiration from past projects. Some examples:
Angelikah Fahray’s Serious Life
Kal Sugatski: moon music
Beat Traffic
Forêt Endormie’s Acadia: A Word Disappeared from the Map
An Anderson and Inventing Trees: Forest Emissaries
Kafari and Dr. Scribbz: Riffs and Lullabies
Jimmy Dority: See People Care
Liz Rhaney: BLK Plutoh
Can the public component of the project be ticketed or revenue-generating in any way?
Yes. Applicants are absolutely allowed to seek additional support for their projects through ticket sales, merch, fundraising, and other means.
When do the projects need to be completed by?
All projects — including the public component of the project — need to be completed by February 1st, 2026.
How does a musician apply?
A short application (via Submittable found here) will collect necessary personal information, along with a short bio about the lead applicant’s creative/professional practice, relevant links, and a description of the project concept.
Can an entire band or a group of collaborators apply?
Yes, but all projects must have one lead applicant and point of contact, who is a Maine-based musician. At least half of the collaborators involved in the project must be based in Maine, as well.
How will the grantees be chosen?
SPACE staff will read all the applications submitted and do interviews with finalists in August.
All interested musicians can email peter@space538.org with additional questions. Additional FAQs may be added as questions arise.
Support for the Sonic Visions Fund provided by:
