Commission On Arts and Sciences

400 Washington Avenue
Room 100
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 410-887-4808
Email: artsgrants@baltimorecountymd.gov

Baltimore County's arts and sciences program is designed to ignite creativity in the region's cultural organizations, encourage public participation, extend outreach to students and diverse populations, and provide the residents of the County with a range of offerings that reflect the diversity of the County's cultural heritage.

Grant Program

Baltimore County encourages development of high-quality artistic programs through grants to cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations in the Greater Baltimore area that benefit Baltimore County residents.

Operating grants provide general operating support to arts, sciences and humanities nonprofit organizations.

Project grants provide funding support to community-based nonprofit organizations for specific projects in Baltimore County such as performances, exhibits, lectures, classes and workshops. Prospective applicants should review the grant eligibility and instructions and grant application for each type of grant to be sure your organization qualifies for funding. 

County Executive Olszewski has launched a Public Art Project grant to commemorate the County residents lost to and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outreach and Arts Promotion

A Baltimore County Arts Outreach Guide provides contact information for County performance and exhibit venues and partnership resources such as Baltimore County Public Schools, libraries, community, PAL and recreation centers, and senior centers. 

A calendar of arts and culture events in Baltimore County can be found on the Baltimore County tourism website. 

Meetings

Commission meetings are held eight times a year. Email arts@baltimorecountymd.gov to confirm date, location and meeting time.

Commissioners

The Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences was created in 1977 by the County Council, Bill 43-77, Article XII, and consists of 17 volunteer members appointed by the County Executive or County Council for terms of three years.

Major funding for the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences Grant Program is provided by the citizens of Baltimore County. 

Additional funding is provided through a Community Arts Development Program Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.