Maine College of Art & Design
The Above and Beyond Grant at MECA&D helps currently enrolled BFA, MFA, and MAT students access structured learning opportunities and experiences that take them above and beyond MECA&D's classrooms and facilities. By applying to this grant, students will learn basic skills in grant writing, budgeting, and formatting work samples while assembling proposals to fund activities such as conferences, workshops, or professional events. This grant does not support self-directed research or learning.
You will be asked to name the professionals who are involved in supervising this activity. Eligibility: For BFA applicants: students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the most recent semester. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must be enrolled for the upcoming semester to qualify. Funds cannot be used for:
+equipment
+ projects that do not have professional supervision + projects that are part of the curriculum + activities that earn academic credit + resources that are available at or through MECA&D + day-to-day creative practice expenses (rent, materials, marketing, etc.)
Requests are capped at $750.
Students may only receive this grant once. Review Criteria: Quality of proposed activity Quality of artwork Clear goals for how this relates to artists' professional development Timing:
For activities taking place before December 1, 2026. Grant Recipients: + All funds are contingent on prior pre-registration or anticipated graduation. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must be enrolled for the upcoming semester to qualify. + All grant recipients are required to provide a summary report within one month of completing the funded activity.
This form is only for use by students who applied for and received money supporting professional development from the Maine College of Art.
Congratulations on receiving a grant from the Maine College of Art to support your professional development and future creative and career growth!
This report form helps us keep track of what you did with your grant money, what you learned, and whether your experience is something we should encourage other students to pursue.
The MECA&D Fellowship at Pickwick Independent Press is available to BFA alumni who have graduated within the past three years. The MECA&D fellow receives a one-year contributing membership to Pickwick Independent Press starting in summer of 2026 (flexible start date) and ending one year later.
Pickwick Independent Press is a fine art printing facility founded by MECA&D alum Lisa Pixley '07 and now owned and operated by Pilar Nadal MFA '13. Pickwick is an active and energetic community printshop with equipment to accomplish printmaking projects based in intaglio, relief, letterpress, risography, screen printing and other traditional and contemporary processes. In addition to the presses and equipment, large sinks, acid tanks, large work areas, personal storage, an assortment of hand tools are also accessible to members. More information about the press and members can be found at www.pickwickindependentpress.com
The fellow will have access to the Pickwick Independent Press print shop as a contributing member. The fellowship provides the fellow with an opportunity to develop both their fine art and freelance/client based portfolios, broaden their artistic network, and take advantage of the support both the member community and print shop provide. In exchange for the year long membership, the fellow will work on select print projects for the College that will not exceed 40 hours over the course of the year. The fellow is expected to work at least 30 hours monthly in the shop on their own work towards a specific project or goal. They will be expected to submit a culminating portfolio of work, be an active member of the Pickwick community, and execute the MECA&D print project(s) with excellent craft and professionalism.
Please apply with:
-a project proposal for your own artistic practice to be completed over the course of the fellowship year.
-a portfolio of 5-10 images of work that demonstrates your printmaking skills
OR
- a link to an online portfolio or website that demonstrates your printmaking skills
The ideal candidate will be an active and enthusiastic member of the Pickwick community, have a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, and the intentions to pursue an artistic career in printmaking.
Applicants may be asked for an additional interview between the deadline and selection dates.
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be graduates from the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 BFA class at Maine College of Art & Design. Non graduated alums, SALT graduates, Post Baccalaureate graduates, Continuing Studies faculty, and CS students are ineligible to apply.
CONTACT: If you have any questions concerning the residency or requirements contact jmcgee@meca.edu. Jenny McGee, Director of Artists at Work