Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund FY26

Administered by Create Baltimore (formerly BOPA) 

This grant provides project support to Baltimore-based artists.  Funding is intended to support artists' individual practices or programs that promote public access and encourage the breadth of arts and/or cultural programming in our community.

Estimated time to complete: 30-60 minutes 
Tip: Have your budget, key staff information, and any recent photos or videos ready before you begin. 

KEY DATES — For the FY26 Grant Cycle

Application Opens: Monday, November 3, 2025  
Applicant Office Hours/Information Sessions: (see below)  
Application Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025  
Panel Review: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – January 15, 2026  
Award Notifications: Tuesday, January 20, 2026  
Contracts and paperwork due from grantees: February 2, 2026 

Cycle 1 Grants Paid by: Friday, March 6, 2026  
Cycle 2 Grants Paid by: Friday, June 5, 2026  
Final Report Due: Thursday, December 31, 2026 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA — Who May Apply  
To be eligible for the FY24 Project Support grant program, applicants must meet each of the following criteria:    

• Individuals and/or groups of practicing professional artists 18 years of age or older organizing projects in Baltimore City with experience or background that demonstrates their ability to administer a community arts project or demonstrate a need to develop or enhance their artistry through a creative process. 
•  Have a permanent and viable base of operations in Baltimore City for at least one year before the grant application deadline.
• Have produced or presented arts / cultural program(s) open to the public within the previous two years before the grant application deadline.  
• Provide the required financial documentation in the application.  

Who May NOT Apply: 
The following individuals are not eligible to apply to the FY25 Project/Practice Support grant program (this list is not meant to be exhaustive):  

• Units of government; religious institutions without a separate 501c3 organization that specifically administers non-sectarian public programming; individuals who are not in good standing with BOPA and/or in compliance with previous grants. 
• Additionally, organizations receiving a General Operating Support grant from BOPA are NOT eligible to receive Project Support funding in the same grant cycle.  

Allowable Expenses:

• Studio or exhibition space rentals;
• Cost of equipment/materials/supplies;
• Costs for related vending (marketing collateral, photography of work, etc.)
• Research/ creative process-related work 
   

Unallowable Expenses:

• Partner organizations
• Funds to support a guest artist in collaboration
• Rental of a studio, recording, or exhibition space outside of
• Baltimore City
• Religious ceremonies or events advancing or inhibiting a particular religious ideology;
• Fundraising or advocacy of specific political causes or candidates;
• Capital improvements (facilities and equipment); agent’s fees for programs contracted through commercial agencies; and travel outside of the United States. 

INFO SESSIONS

Nov 16, 12-1pm (virtual info session) - https://calendar.app.google/9USjt53968oVxs2J6

Nov 18, 6-7pm (virtual info session) - https://calendar.app.google/nxbsorZbwRRHojjG9

OFFICE HOURS (by appointment)

Nov 12, 3-5pm 

Nov 19, 3-5pm 

Nov 26, 3-5pm

Dec 3, 3-5pm 

Dec 10, 3-5pm 

Sign up for an appointment during office hours here: https://calendar.app.google/VaewbtcUbE9qg4mJ6