WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will award a total of $894,300 in grant funding to nine organizations in Maine that foster artistic creativity and innovation in their communities. The Maine Arts Commission will receive $723,300 while the remaining $171,000 will be distributed to eight other organizations listed below. These grants will support a wide range of artistic endeavors including film and folk festivals, stage productions, fiber arts, and workshops for young writers and artists, among others.

“Maine is fortunate to have many passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to developing the arts and preserving our state’s vibrant culture,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “These NEA grants will help sow the seeds of artistic expression and further unify our already tightly knit communities.”

These grants are part of a larger $74 million announcement from the NEA that will support arts projects nationwide – a total of 1,023 grants are being awarded in all fifty states.  The awards are divided into two categories: Art Works and State and Regional Partnerships. The Art Works grants aim to support creation and public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and strengthening of communities through the arts.  The Maine Arts Commission funding is through the State and Regional Partnerships.  With this funding, the agency will further its mission to support local programs and partnerships, expand the cultural resources of our state, and encourage participation in the arts.

The NEA was established by Congress in 1965, and has since awarded more than $5 billion to organizations and individuals supporting the arts in their communities.  For more information on the NEA, go to arts.gov.

Many of the Maine awardees have previously received grants from the NEA.  The full list of Maine awardees is below:

Cultural Resources, Inc., $21,000

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, $20,000

Maine Arts Commission, $723,300

Maine Fiberarts, $10,000

Portland Opera Repertory Theatre, $15,000

Portland Ovations, $30,000

Telling Room, $10,000

University of Maine, $25,000

William A. Farnsworth Library & Art Museum, Inc., $40,000

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