Public Calls: Paid Opportunities
Creativity Grant
Creativity grant panelists not only have the opportunity to review and score applications from both independent artists and small arts organizations from throughout the state of Maryland, but to be a part of making an impact across many communities.
NEW for FY25: We will use two separate panels to evaluate monthly applications. One panel will review only general operating support applications for organizations; and one panel will be dedicated to project-based work, primarily from independent artists.
What to Expect as a Panelist
- Application reviews are completed on a panelist’s own time online during the middle of each month, beginning Summer 2024 and ending May 2025.
- The number of applications will vary depending on the month and your panel assignment. Project-based panelists will typically review 35-45 applications per month, which requires approximately 12-14 hours to complete over a 2-week period. We anticipate that the general operating support panelists will have slightly less assignments per month.
- A total of 18-20 panelists are needed to serve for monthly reviews during FY25.
- You may not be required to score applications every month; assignments depend on the total number of applications received each month.
- A required virtual panelist orientation will take place in June
- Panelists receive compensation of $50 for the training, along with a sliding scale for monthly reviews, depending on the number of applications reviewed each month you are selected (25 or less apps = $200; 26-35 apps = $300; 36-45 apps = $375; 46+ apps = $450).
What We’re Looking For
- Independent artists, arts administrators, fundraisers, arts enthusiasts, arts educators, and students who want to be involved in the grantmaking process.
- Individuals who represent artistic expertise in the disciplines that the Creativity Grant supports: Music, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Theater, Dance, Literary Arts, Arts in Education, Folk/Traditional Arts, Arts Services, and Multi-Disciplinary Arts.
- Individuals to represent expertise as an arts administrator or fundraiser who have experience with daily operations of nonprofit organizations and general operating funds.
How do I apply to be a panelist?
Submit your application via MSAC’s online grants management system, SmartSimple.
(You must be registered as an Independent Artist to apply.)
- Click the Apply Now button below to log in or create a free account in SmartSimple.
- Under Funding Opportunities, select "Public Call."
- Select "Panelist" from the drop down options and click "Save Draft" to populate the application.
- Select "Creativity" as the Grant Program.
Questions? Contact Program Directors Emily Sollenberger (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov) or Laura Weiss (laura.weiss@maryland.gov) for assistance.
Applications due on Tuesday, April 30 by 11:59 p.m.
Presenting and Touring
Presenting and Touring panelists have the unique opportunity to review applications for both the Maryland Touring Roster and for the Maryland Touring Grant. Evaluation of Touring Roster applications includes the review of performers that wish to join the Roster; Touring Grant reviews evaluate applications from presenters who wish to bring Touring Roster members to their venues. This is an exciting experience to ensure collaboration continues through this program!
What to Expect as a Panelist
- Application reviews are completed on a panelist’s own time online during the middle of each month, beginning Summer 2024 and ending May 2025
- Panelists typically review approximately 10-20 applications per review (including both Roster and Touring Grant), which requires approximately 4-6 hours to complete over a 2-week period.
- A total of 10 panelists are needed to serve for monthly reviews during FY25.
- Five of the ten panelists will review applications each month; this schedule will rotate based on disciplines and needs represented in the applications. You should expect to review 5-6 times throughout the year, and not every month.
- A required virtual panelist orientation will take place in June
- Panelists receive compensation of $50 for the training, along with a sliding scale for monthly reviews, depending on the number of applications reviewed each month you are selected (25 or less apps = $200; 26-35 apps = $300; 36-45 apps = $375; 46+ apps = $450).
What We’re Looking For
- Independent performing artists (especially those with Touring experience), arts administrators (especially of presenting organizations/venues, both for- and nonprofit), and individuals with tour management experience who want to be involved in the grantmaking process.
- Individuals with knowledge or background in the performing arts (music, dance, theater, storytelling, etc.).
How do I apply to be a panelist?
Submit your application via MSAC’s online grants management system, SmartSimple.
(You must be registered as an Independent Artist to apply.)
- Click the Apply Now button below to log in or create a free account in SmartSimple.
- Under Funding Opportunities, select "Public Call."
- Select "Panelist" from the drop down options and click "Save Draft" to populate the application.
- Select "Presenting and Touring" as the Grant Program.
Questions? Contact Program Directors Emily Sollenberger (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov) or Laura Weiss (laura.weiss@maryland.gov) for assistance.
Applications due on Tuesday, April 30 by 11:59 p.m.
Professional Development Opportunity
Starting in FY25, we will use a panel to review and score all Professional Development Opportunity grants. The Professional Development Opportunity grant encourages learning and growth opportunities for independent artists and arts organizations across the state.
What to Expect as a Panelist
- Application reviews are completed on a panelist’s own time online during the middle of each month, beginning Summer 2024 and ending May 2025.
- Panelists will typically review 30-40 applications per month, which requires approximately 8-10 hours to complete over a 2-week period.
- A total of 10 panelists are needed to serve for monthly reviews during FY25.
- Five of the ten panelists will review applications each month; this schedule will rotate based on disciplines and needs represented in the applications. You should expect to review 5-6 times throughout the year, and not every month.
- A required virtual panelist orientation will take place in June
- Panelists receive compensation of $50 for the training, along with a sliding scale for monthly reviews, depending on the number of applications reviewed each month you are selected (25 or less apps = $200; 26-35 apps = $300; 36-45 apps = $375; 46+ apps = $450).
What We’re Looking For
- Independent artists, arts administrators, fundraisers, arts enthusiasts, arts educators, and students who want to be involved in the grantmaking process.
- Individuals who represent artistic expertise in the disciplines that the Creativity Grant supports: Music, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Theater, Dance, Literary Arts, Arts in Education, Folk/Traditional Arts, Arts Services, and Multi-Disciplinary Arts.
- Individuals to represent expertise as an arts administrator or fundraiser who have experience with daily operations and needs of nonprofit organizations.
How do I apply to be a panelist?
Submit your application via MSAC’s online grants management system, SmartSimple.
(You must be registered as an Independent Artist to apply.)
- Click the Apply Now button below to log in or create a free account in SmartSimple.
- Under Funding Opportunities, select "Public Call."
- Select "Panelist" from the drop down options and click "Save Draft" to populate the application.
- Select "Professional Development Opportunity" as the Grant Program.
Questions? Contact Program Directors Emily Sollenberger (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov) or Laura Weiss (laura.weiss@maryland.gov) for assistance.
Applications due on Tuesday, April 30 by 11:59 p.m.
Please refer to the chart below for information on other upcoming calls.
There are no current editor opportunities.
There are no current judge opportunities.