The Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) program offers Conservation Grants to organizations to support the conservation and preservation of existing public artworks in Maryland.

  • Planning Grants: up to $10,000
  • Implementation Grants: up to $50,000

The Public Art Across Maryland Grants How-to-Apply Webinar was held on Thursday, September 7th.
Click here to view the presentation. 
Click here to watch recorded webinar.

 

Applicants must be a/an:

  • Non-profit organization 
  • Unit of government
  • College/university
  • School
  • County Arts Council or Arts and Entertainment District

The PAAM Conservation grant program provides two types of support:

  • The Conservation Planning Grant awards $10,000 to support artwork conservation planning efforts including: project administration, consultancy fees, community engagement, and collection management services and technology.
  • The Conservation Implementation Grant awards up to $50,000 to support the conservation of permanent public artwork. The conservation project must be fully developed including identification of the project team and support and approval of the owners of the artwork and the site where it is located.

For both Planning and Implementation grants, the final location of the artwork to be conserved must be within Maryland.

MSAC utilizes a multi-disciplinary, statewide grant panel to electronically review and score applications. 

Before submitting a completed application, refer to the FY23 Conservation Scoring Rubric for the complete scoring criteria panelists use to evaluate applications.

Please download the budget template for your specific Conservation application. Fill out, save and upload in your SmartSimple application under Attachments.

Public art in any media is eligible for conservation funding.  Artworks must be permanent, sited indoors or outdoors, free and publicly accessible to all, following conservation. 

Artwork must be located, or be in the process of being relocated, within the State of Maryland. 

Artwork types may include, but are not limited to: sculpture, painted mural, tile mosaic, mixed media, photography, and site-integrated public art.

The grant will not support conservation of any artwork that is still under the warranty of the artist.

PAAM Conservation Planning Grants may be used for:

  • Administrative fees related to project management and planning
  • Consultant fee(s) including: Professional Conservator, Artist, Structural Engineer, materials specialist (painter, welder, etc..), Historian or Preservationist
  • Community Engagement including: public meetings, community education and information campaigns
  • Collection Management Activities & Technology including: Collection Management consultant, conducting local survey or inventory work, inventory file digitization, establishing and/or updating a database of artworks in that collection or jurisdiction, purchasing or leasing collection management software

PAAM Conservation Implementation Grants may be used for:

  • Relocating a public artwork within, or to Maryland in an effort to increase public access to the art work and its long-term preservation.
  • Conservation and maintenance activities that will contribute to the long-term appreciation and sustainability of the artwork including but not limited to: 
    • Cleaning, waxing, coating, painting conducted by professional service providers
    • Replacement or addition of components to provide structural integrity to the artwork, or the frame, plinth, pedestal, base or foundation integral to the display of the artwork
  • Landscape site improvements such as drainage, plant pruning and maintenance and/or replacement
  • Lighting and electrical work that contributes to public accessibility by increasing visibility and safety, or improves energy efficiency of outdated lighting and digital components
  • Conservation of existing or creation of new identification and interpretive signage including writers, designers, fabrication and installation

Organizations apply via the secure online grants application software SmartSimple. Log in or create a free account at marylandarts.smartsimple.com.

  • Applicants are required to complete and submit their applications by electronic means, including the use of an electronic signature.
  • Technical support for SmartSimple is available during regular office hours.
  • Lost, misdirected or late applications are the sole responsibility of the applicant.
  • Applicants must meet all revision deadlines after submission, as specified in writing, or the application will be withdrawn.

Final Reports: All grantees must submit a final report in SmartSimple within 30 days of the project completion date as listed in the Applicant’s Project Schedule. The report contains a brief summary of the project, final budget, completed project photos, and data requirements of the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts). 

  • Planning Grant recipients must complete the public art project planning grant within 12 months from grant award notification. A final report is due within 30 days of completion of planning.
  • Implementation Grant recipients must complete the proposed public art project within 18 months of grant award notification. A final report is due within 30 days of the dedication and completion of the project.

A final report must be submitted before a new PAAM Conservation Grant application may be submitted. Failure to submit reports may jeopardize current and/or future MSAC grants and may result in repayment of grant funds back to the State of Maryland. Before any funds are distributed, Public Art Across Maryland grantees are also required to submit any outstanding reports/requirements for any other MSAC grants they have received.