Creative Aging Maine brings high-quality art programming to older adults across the state, by providing grants to certified Teaching Artists.

The opportunities for Artists:

• Professional development to facilitate impactful art classes for older adults
• Grant funding for art programs in your community
• Profile listing on the Creative Aging Maine website, increasing visibility of your work and collaboration with Community Host Sites across Maine.

How to Become Certified

To become certified as a Creative Aging Maine Teaching Artist, an artist must complete two trainings – the Lifetime Arts Creative Aging Foundations: The Essentials training and the MCOA Creative Aging Maine training. Both trainings will be offered at no cost for a selected cohort of artists. (Note: artists who have already taken the Lifetime Arts training and hold a current certification will not need to repeat it and can start with Step 2 by taking the MCOA training).

How to Apply for a Grant

Step 1: Take Lifetime Arts Training
Step 2: Take MCOA training
Step 3: Set up Teaching Artist Profile (more info to come)
Step 4: Apply for Grant

More Information on Trainings

Important Dates:

• July 1, 2026 – Application opens for Lifetime Arts Training and MCOA Training. Apply early as spots are limited!
• August 5, 2026 – optional Information Session
• September 8, 2026 – Applications close for trainings. Artists notified of acceptance into Lifetime Arts training.
• October 7th and 14th and 21st, 2026 – Lifetime Arts Training
• October 28, 2026 – MCOA Training (In-Person option)
• November 11th and 17th, 2026 – MCOA Training (Virtual option)
• December 2026 – Grant application opens for certified Creative Aging Maine Teaching Artists!