Money for Mainers
Written by Robert Woo | Posted by: Anonymous
If you are a prospective filmmaker living (or at least shooting) in Maine, chances are you’re not exactly rolling in money as you try to fund your projects. Well, if you’re sick of eating your special breadless PB&J sandwiches three meals a day to get your movie off the ground, you might want to check out some of the grant opportunities that the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) has to offer.
The MAC, in operation for over 30 years, is one of the state’s biggest supporters of art and art education. From ballet to basket weaving, the MAC strives both to bring a wealth of exhibits to the state of Maine, and to foster a healthy community of artists who can enrich the culture of Maine, as well as the economy.
"[The MAC] truly feels that artists are fundamental to the economy," said Donna McNeil, Contemporary Arts/Public Art Associate at the MAC. "Nearly 30 percent of the population is made up of creative people, who form a class by themselves. That’s a big part of Maine’s economy."
Grants available to artists from the MAC fall into various categories. The Individual Artist Fellowships form the largest portion of the grants. In the past, a maximum of 10 fellowships of $3,000 each were awarded to artists in the eligible categories (which alternate each year). Just recently, however, the grant has been altered to award three individuals a year with $13,000 in the categories of visual, performing, and literary arts (which includes screenwriting).
"The Fellowships are rewarded to those who show excellence within their field," McNeil said. "What we are looking for is real originality. We want to see ideas moving forward, taking chances, and the risks paying off." Past winners include performing artist William Pope.L, painter Greg Parker, dancer Buffy Miller, and filmmaker Karine T. Odlin.
Another grant the MAC gives out is called the Good Idea Grant (GIG). These $1,000 grants, five per quarter, are awarded to help artists get over a specific budget hurdle. If the Commission deems an artist’s work as a "good idea" that furthers creative endeavors for that individual, the grant is provided to help the artist stay the course.
"These are people’s careers," said McNeil, speaking about full-time artists. "We want to help them out, and the GIG is given to the artists who we think have careers worthy to be invested."
The last grant is the Artists in Maine Communities program, which is provided by the MAC through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. For non-profit organizations only, $150,000 is allocated per year to support art that investigates the state of Maine and its people, and presents them to the public as a tool of education. An example would be a documentary film made about a certain piece of Maine’s history that might include interviews with locals. The program seeks to strengthen Maine communities through art, and address the needs of its residents. Applicants are encouraged to request grants between $2,500 and $7,500, and grants must be matched 1:1.
For you budding moviemakers in Maine, these grants could potentially be a great way to fund your films. Check out the MAC’s website at www.mainearts.com for more information and specific guidelines on applying for these various grants. Perhaps they might help you take a few days rest from selling all that plasma.
