Two extraordinary activities occurred in March that allowed the staff of the Maryland State Arts Council to gain more insight into the work of artists and arts organizations across the state.
First, we reviewed session proposals for the first-ever Maryland Arts Summit - a gathering of artists, arts organizations, arts leaders and arts supporters at UMBC on June 7 and 8. More than 150 proposals for professional development sessions were submitted ranging in topics from marketing through social media to expanding policies around equity, diversity, and inclusion. The inaugural Maryland Arts Summit will elevate the way we communicate about the arts while committing to
increasing the diversity of the voices in the dialogue
.
Second... it is Grants for Organizations panel time! The review process, for staff and panelists, has revealed a new awareness of cultural competence as organizations redefine how they serve communities. Rich narratives describe the profound effect of the arts on the lives of Marylanders and the desire to do more.
Both examples are about increased communication and intersectionality as MSAC continues to expand the way we serve the arts community. We look forward to walking through 21st Century ideals as a partner with all constituents. I invite you to continue to come to the table, in whatever way makes sense for you, to be a voice in these important conversations.
Ken Skrzesz, Executive Director, Maryland State Arts Council
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The MSAC Online Resource Bulletin, maintained by Maryland Art Place, includes regional, national, and international exhibition opportunities, grants, fellowships, residencies, and information on available studio spaces in the area. The Resource Bulletin is updated on a weekly basis and maintains hundreds of listings of arts opportunities, organized by subject and deadline date. Check out the
MSAC Resource Bulletin
today! To post your call for entry,
email Caitlin, the Registry Coordinator, at
caitlin@mdartplace.org
.
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Please consider inviting MSAC Staff and Board Members to any public event that may include donor recognition as part of the programming. Public acknowledgement of MSAC funding, particularly when a staff, board member, or local legislator is present, allows arts audiences to understand the connection between the vote they cast for local officials, the local official’s support of MSAC funding, and how that funding returns to the communities of arts-connected constituents. Please send all invitations to
kayla.morgan@maryland.gov.
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JOYCE J. SCOTT NAMED 2019 SMITHSONIAN VISIONARY ARTIST
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Joyce J. Scott
has been named the 2019 Smithsonian Visionary Artist in recognition of her outstanding work in jewelry. Her selection was announced March 1, 2019 by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee (SWC).
The award will be presented to Scott by the Secretary of the Smithsonian on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the
37th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show
Preview Night Benefit. The Craft Show is produced annually by the SWC to support Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo. It will take place April 24-28, 2019 at the National Building Museum, Washington, DC.
Photograph courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
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ACADEMY ART MUSEUM OFFERS ONLY EAST COAST RICHARD DIEBENKORN EXHIBITION
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Audiences today generally know the career of Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) in three periods: the Sausalito, Albuquerque, Urbana, and “early Berkeley” periods of Abstract Expressionism; the Berkeley figurative/representational period; and lastly the famous Ocean Park and Healdsburg series of abstractions. Yet Diebenkorn’s earliest work remains very little known. The exhibition,
Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942–1955
, will be on view at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD from April 26 to July 14, 2019 — the only venue on the East Coast. A reception on Friday, April 26, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. is free and the public are invited to attend.
The Academy Art Museum is located at 106 South Street is one of Easton’s historic landmarks – deeply tied to the educational community in Easton since 1800.For further information,
call 410-822-2787, or
visit
academyartmuseum.org
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MARYLAND ARTS SUMMIT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
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On June 6-8,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts
,
in conjunction with the
Maryland State Arts Council
,
Maryland State Department of Education
,
and
AEMS: Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance
will host the
Maryland Arts Summit
at UMBC. Panels led by and for the Maryland arts sector will include arts advocates, arts educators/teaching artists, independent artists, and arts organizations. The summit will also highlight the work being done throughout the state through dialogue, learning and networking opportunities, and focus on the growth of Maryland arts. The first of its kind for the arts in Maryland, summit events will start on June 6 with a pre-conference hosted by AEMS. The MSAC
Maryland Traditions Heritage
Awards will be presented on June 7 in the UMBC Performing Arts and Humanities Building and the
Individual Artist Award
ceremony will take place on June 8 in the UMBC University Center. Throughout the duration of the summit, an
artists bazaar
will take place and serve as a networking and promotional opportunity for Maryland artists to showcase and potentially sell their work.
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COCHRAN STUDIO SUBMITS DESIGN PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN MALL
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New design plans for the downtown mall in Cumberland, Maryland have been finalized and are under consideration by the mayor and city council. Created by Frederick-based Cochran Studios, the plans were approved by the 21-member Baltimore Street Design Committee on Monday, March 11, 2019.
They depict a renovated downtown mall with Baltimore Street reinstalled, running one way from Mechanic Street to George Street. The mall will be lined with alternating lamp posts and fast-growing trees that will form a high canopy.
"These plans took a lot of time to consider," said Paul Kelly, executive director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corp. "There were many hours of research. The key is to emphasize the architecture and the history, but also design it with a contemporary taste to attract everybody." Kelly has delivered the drawings to the mayor and city council for review and included a letter. "I am very pleased to announce that the committee unanimously and unequivocally recommends that the mayor and city council adopt Cochran Studio Inc.'s aspirational streetscape design for Baltimore Street," the letter said.
The plans depict a thorough overhaul of the mall, including complete removal and rebuild of the parklet at the corner of Mechanic and Baltimore streets and the McCoury Family Stage at the corner of Liberty and Baltimore streets.
Photograph by: Steve Bittner
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RURAL PROSPERITY THROUGH THE ARTS & CREATIVE SECTOR: A RURAL ACTION GUIDE FOR GOVERNORS AND STATES
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This
landmark report
(
a new release from the National Governors Association (NGA), created in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and NASAA) draws on a growing body of research that shows how creative economic development helps rural communities to thrive. It offers suggestions that governors can follow to boost economic opportunities, retain young people and preserve a great quality of life in America's rural communities—all through the arts.
Designed for governors and their top advisors, the guide offers a five-point policy framework and 27 action steps illustrated by almost 100 examples. Many of the examples depict the importance of state arts agencies! The action guide also includes policy recommendations for governors that can amplify your work, such as:
- Integrate the creative sector into state strategy and planning efforts around economic development, housing and community development.
- Invest in cultural and creative institutions in rural areas and small communities.
- Support creative placemaking initiatives in rural areas with technical assistance, convenings and collaborations.
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STATE ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES “POETRY OUT LOUD” MARYLAND STATE WINNER
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The Poetry Out Loud (POL) Maryland State Finals was held March 2, 2019 in the Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Auditorium at the Baltimore Museum of Art. This year’s Maryland State Champion is Grace Knor, a junior at Tuscarora High School in Frederick County. She was among nine finalists that were selected from more than 7,500 Maryland students in 14 counties that competed in the statewide POL competitions. This poetry recitation contest is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Poetry Foundation, and administered by U.S. state arts agencies across the country. Total Maryland student participation has reached over 129,000 since its inception over 14 years ago. The Maryland Poetry Out Loud competition is produced by the Maryland State Arts Council.
Second place was awarded to Hanna Al-Kowsi, a senior at Marriotts Ridge High School, Howard County, and third place went to Riley Marzola, a sophomore at Concordia Preparatory School, Baltimore County. The six remaining finalists were Kate Maerten, Carroll County; Jaylen Barrett, Howard County; Poushali Banarjee, Howard County; Jamera Christy, Kent County; John Golladay, Talbot County; and Quinn Onley, Worcester County.
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Artist Highlight: Ty DeMartino
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Ty DeMartino
is an acclaimed screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Known for his “rich characterizations” (Stage Scene L.A.) and his “soulful” writing (The Tulucan Times), DeMartino was named Playwright of the Year by The Baltimore City Paper in their “Best Of" edition for his political drama "The Blessed Mothers of War." His father-son play, "Finding Fossils," was named Best Production of the 2008 Baltimore Playwrights Festival and was later produced by The Road Theatre in North Hollywood in 2012 where it was honored with “Outstanding Production” by Stage Scene L.A. In New York, DeMartino’s political satire "He's No J.F.K." ran Off-Broadway at the Kirk Theatre on 42nd Street and his drama "The Darling Siblings" received a public readings at The Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village and the T. Schreiber Studio in Chelsea. His short plays include "Lady Liberty" (Sundog Theatre, NYC, Named “Best of 10 Years”), "Life After Pie" (Pittsburgh New Works Festival and New Britain Rep), "Objects in the Mirror" (San Francisco Fringe Festival), "A Fan Letter to Monica Lewinsky" and "Poor Little Thing" (Baltimore's Spotlighters Theatre) and "The Skylab is Falling" (Last Frontier Play Festival, Valdez, Alaska; Fells Point Theatre). Most recently, he penned the book to the original country jukebox musical “Ticket to Nashville” which is currently set for a national tour (voted Best Musical in West Virginia of 2017 by
Broadwayworld.com
) and wrote the movie adaptation of the musical (slated for filming in 2018). DeMartino has also written and produced several feature films which has received international distribution -- the patriotic family drama "The Pledge" and the holiday movie "A Christmas Tree Miracle," which is featured on the UPtv network every year.
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Creativity Grant:
We are currently accepting applications for the FY20 Creativity Grant Program. To confirm eligibility and for more information, please visit our
website
.
Questions? Contact your discipline's
Program Director
or Dana Parsons at
dana.parsons@maryland.gov
FY19 Public Art Project Grant:
4/29/19:
County Arts Councils and designated Arts & Entertainment Districts in Maryland are eligible to apply. Grants of up to $5,000 (requiring a 1:1 match) are available for permanent or temporary works by a Maryland artist. Guidelines are available
here
.
Questions? Contact Public Art Program Director, Liesel Fenner at
liesel.fenner@maryland.org
.
A&E District Technical Assistance Grant Applications:
Rolling Deadline - Technical Assistance grants are available to designated Arts & Entertainment Districts for marketing, strategic planning, professional development and other projects. More information and guidelines available
here
.
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