Through a highly competitive, merit-based process, Salt Bay Chamberfest (SBC) has been selected by the National Endowment for the Arts to receive a $45,000 Arts Project grant. The non-profit chamber music festival, headquartered in Damariscotta, is now in its 32nd season. The funds will go toward the organization’s August 2026 season, helping to support its series of chamber music concerts and free community events held throughout Lincoln, Knox, and Penobscot counties.

Titled “Music Unearthed,” this year’s festival will take place Aug. 4-16. Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary, its programs will explore how Americans and their ancestors have used music to express their multifaceted heritage and feelings about home, self, and artistic and cultural identity, offering unique perspectives on themes of musical unearthing and discovery. Concerts will juxtapose time-honored masterworks with new works by living composers, all performed by artists of international renown, including violinist Jennifer Koh, Sandbox Percussion, oudist Issam Rafea, Eastern Woodland flutist Hawk Henries, composer/cellist Karen Ouzounian, and composer/steel pannist Andy Akiho.

Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has applauded SBC’s accomplishment, saying, “I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Salt Bay Chamberfest on their recent grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Music is central to Maine’s cultural life, and Salt Bay Chamberfest plays an important role in bringing outstanding chamber music to the Midcoast. This investment will help ensure the festival’s 2026 season continues to inspire audiences and enrich our communities. This recognition is well deserved.”

Information and details on Salt Bay Chamberfest’s upcoming season can be found at saltbaychamberfest.org.