[Maryland State Arts Council](https://www.msac.org)

September 2026 (Heritage Award nomination deadline, projected)

Up to six awards annually; each award is $10,000 (unrestricted grant).

Recognizes and supports long-term achievement in Maryland’s traditional arts through annual, unrestricted awards to individuals, places, or traditions.

This is a forecasted grant; all deadlines are projected and subject to annual cycle updates.

--- ## Description This program recognizes and celebrates significant, long-term achievement in Maryland’s traditional arts, defined as living cultural traditions passed down within communities by example or word of mouth. Each year, up to six Heritage Awards are given in three categories—Person/People, Place, and Tradition—to honor individuals, locations, or practices that demonstrate sustained excellence and impact in the traditional arts. Awardees receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant, and their achievements are documented in the Maryland Traditions Archives. The program is administered by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and is part of the broader Maryland Traditions initiative, which also includes grants, events, and archival activities. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Heritage Award nomination deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Up to six awards distributed annually. - Each award is $10,000 (unrestricted grant, disbursed in one payment). - Awardees must obligate or spend all funds by June 30 of the following year. --- ## Eligibility - **Nominees** must be people, places, or traditions located in Maryland demonstrating long-term achievement in the traditional arts. - Nominees may be longstanding or recently established in Maryland through migration or resettlement. - Each person, place, or tradition may only receive the Heritage Award once. - Awards are not given posthumously. - Self-nominations are accepted. - There is no limit to the number of nominations for a single traditional art. - **Recipients** of funds must be: - Maryland residents (age 18+) or - Maryland-based nonprofits, colleges/universities, or government units. - **Nominators** may reside anywhere but must provide contact information and serve as the point of contact until winners are selected. --- ## Application Process - Nominations must be submitted via MSAC’s SmartSimple online grants management system. - New users must create a profile in SmartSimple. - Nominations require: - Written responses (or audio/video uploads) describing the nominee’s long-term achievement and impact (prompts and review criteria are provided in the guidelines). - Optional supplemental materials (letters, media, audiovisual examples, etc.). - Nominators may request feedback on draft nominations before submission. - Technical and strategic support is available from MSAC staff. - After review, awardees and nominators are notified and must complete a Grant Agreement Form to receive funds. - Awardees must submit a final report by the specified deadline after the award period. --- ## Additional Information - The award is unrestricted and may be used at the recipient’s discretion, except for political or lobbying activities. - All grantees must comply with MSAC’s accessibility, non-discrimination, and reporting requirements. - Site visits for professional documentation (photo, audio, video) are offered to awardees but are optional. - Awards are considered taxable income; recipients may receive a 1099 tax form from the State of Maryland. --- ## External Links - [Maryland Traditions: Heritage Awards program page](https://www.msac.org/programs/maryland-traditions/heritage-awards) - [Maryland State Arts Council homepage](https://www.msac.org) - [FY 2026 Heritage Award Scoring Rubric (PDF)](https://msac.org/sites/default/files/2025-08/FY2026%20Heritage%20Award%20Nomination%20Scoring%20Rubric.pdf) - [Maryland Traditions Archives](https://mdfolklife.umbc.edu/maryland-traditions-archives/) - [How to Nominate: Heritage Award (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R6SzYyyzeg) - [Previous Heritage Awardees (PDF links by year)](https://msac.org/programs/maryland-traditions/heritage-awards) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |---------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Ryan Koons | State Folklorist (program & nomination strategy) | [ryan.koons@maryland.gov](mailto:ryan.koons@maryland.gov) | (410) 767-6568 (O); (443) 536-8368 (C) | | Catherine Teixeira | Grants Director (award logistics/tech) | [catherine.teixeira@maryland.gov](mailto:catherine.teixeira@maryland.gov) | (443) 799-7256 | | Tammy Oppel | Grants Management Associate | [tammy.oppel@maryland.gov](mailto:tammy.oppel@maryland.gov) | (443) 326-5555 | | Kirk Amaral Snow | Grants Management Associate | [kirk.amaralsnow@maryland.gov](mailto:kirk.amaralsnow@maryland.gov) | (410) 767-8865 | | General MSAC Contact | - | [msac.commerce@maryland.gov](mailto:msac.commerce@maryland.gov) | (410) 767-6555 |

Maryland Traditions

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