Bicentennial Grants

Maine 200

The purpose of the Maine Bicentennial Grants program is to support the interests, needs, and local creativity of communities as they plan local commemorations of the Bicentennial and to ensure that citizens throughout Maine have the opportunity to participate in Maine’s Bicentennial commemoration. Projects can be on any scale. All funds must be expended no later than March 30, 2021. Complete information is at: https://www.maine200.org/

Grant applications should be submitted to the Maine Bicentennial Commission c/o the Maine Arts Commission, which will administer the program applications. Program applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from the Maine Cultural Affairs Council (7) and from practicing educators representing the field (2).

There will be two application cycles with deadlines of:

• February 1, 2020
• June 1, 2020

The grant application screening committee will make awards based on the priorities listed above, and based upon ensuring a representative distribution of funds across the state. Support for communities that lack existing capacity to raise funds for these purposes will be prioritized.

Notification of awards will be made within 4 weeks of the deadline for each application cycle. Applications not approved for funding in one cycle may be resubmitted for a future cycle.

All funds must be expended by March 30, 2021.

Project Grants (Small) 

Maximum Award: $500. Required Match: None. Award Cycle: September 1, 2019 – March 30, 2021   

Proposed projects should offer context to the Bicentennial Commemoration and could include:

• Public Programs: Lectures, exhibitions, library series, workshops, discussion groups, etc.
• Community Events: Parades, fairs, festivals, concerts, performances, reenactments, etc.
• Preservation Projects: Digitization/processing of collections, publications, oral history initiatives, location-based restoration /interpretation, etc.
• Curriculum Development: Classroom offerings, student projects, fieldtrips, adult learning, etc.

Learn more–>

Project Grants (Large) 

Maximum Award: $10,000.Required Match: 1 to 1 cash or in-kind match is highly encouraged. Award Cycle: September 1, 2019 – March 30, 2021

Maine’s Bicentennial commemoration offers a unique occasion to draw residents, visitors, public servants, and private businesses together to commemorate 200 years of statehood, celebrate Maine’s present, and inspire a healthy and prosperous future. The Maine Bicentennial Commission exists to plan, administer, and coordinate programs and projects that commemorate Maine’s 200th anniversary of statehood, with three major goals:

• To explore Maine’s history from the many perspectives of its multiple past and current populations.
• To celebrate Maine’s present people, places, institutions, and economy.
• To envision the public and private actions that will enhance Maine’s future prosperity.

Learn more–>

For more information on the grants being administered by the Maine Arts Commission.