Public Art Review Committee Seeks Applicants for Portsmouth NH 400th Anniversary Education & Public Art Trust Grants

The City of Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee (PARC) is now accepting proposals for a limited number of grants available through the Portsmouth NH 400th Anniversary Education and Public Art Trust. The grants support projects that enrich and educate Portsmouth K to 12 students in exploring the City's history, heritage, and cultural identity.

Applicants must be educational institutions, cultural organizations, nonprofits, or individuals collaborating with such entities. Grant requests should be for $10,000 or less and one or more grants will be awarded each year, beginning in 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the Program Committee, which includes the Public Art Review Committee (PARC) and the Portsmouth Public Library Director (or their designee).

In making the announcement, PARC Chair Chris Dwyer noted, “Projects could plan short-term or long-term programs in any art form that help interpret or enhance existing public art, creating a learning experience for Portsmouth K to 12 students.”

The application is available online at portsnh.co/Arts-Trust-Grant. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm on April 15, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the grant awards by May 15, 2026. Questions about the grants and the application process can be emailed to hotline@portsmouthnh.gov. Relevant questions and answers will be posted to the City website and updated regularly until April 15.

About the Portsmouth NH 400th Anniversary Education and Public Art Trust

The Trust was created in 2025 through an agreement between the City of Portsmouth and Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc., which contributed $100,000 in initial funding. The program was inspired by the City’s 400th anniversary celebration in 2023. The Trust is administered by the City’s Trustees of Trust Funds, and all donations to the Trust are tax‑deductible.