One of the best parts about my job is traveling for "check-ins"... time to sit with arts constituents to ask, "how is it going?" I am happy to report an abundance of creative activity in November! There is only enough space to share some highlights, but I invite you for a quick trip across Maryland:
- BALTIMORE CHORAL ARTS opened its season with a beautifully sung concert in the newly restored Shriver Hall on the campus of Johns Hopkins University.
- Garrett College is building a COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER to enhance the arts offerings for Western Maryland.
- BRILLIANT BALTIMORE combined Light City and the Baltimore Book Festival into an exciting 10-day event at the Inner Harbor.
- The Allegany Arts Council is exhibiting the nuanced work of Gerald Snelson in ART AND CRAFT OF THE PUPPET.
- First Lady Yumi Hogan honored students from across the state at the FALL STUDENT ARTWORK EXHIBITION in Annapolis.
- The WORCESTER COUNTY DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER is transitioning its education programs to emphasize arts education and the benefits of the creative process for developmentally disabled adults.
- The gallery space of the Arts Council of Calvert County is currently exhibiting a wide variety of work in WINTER WONDERLAND.
- The Olney Theatre Center opened a spectacular production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.
- REVISITING THE PINK TRAILER is the latest, and very compelling, exhibition at the Washington County Arts Council.
- Maryland Citizens for the Arts hosted ARTSLAB 2019 at Howard Community College focusing on the arts ecosystem.
- The Baltimore Museum of Art opened a site-converted installation, MICKALENE THOMAS: A MOMENT'S PLEASURE (which was also featured in the New York Times).
- The MAGICAL EXPERIENCES ARTS COMPANY is in residence at the William S. Baer School (serving children with multiple disabilities).
I invite you to discover the rich creative offerings being generated in every region!
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
msac.commerce@maryland.gov
.
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CELEBRATE SHOP LOCAL ARTISTS WEEK IN YOUR COMMUNITY
DECEMBER 1-7
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From December 1-7, 2019, we ask the creative field to join together in communities across the country to promote the sales of the work of local artists—including tickets to events and organization memberships.
Local art makes great holiday gifts! Find out more about how to participate
here.
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MARYLAND MICRO-CREDENTIALS
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Register for free professional development!
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2019 GOVERNMENT HOUSE FOUNDATION HOLIDAY ORNAMENT
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The 2019 Government House Foundation holiday ornaments, designed by The First Lady, are a special way to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Maryland Government House. Net proceeds benefit the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland, Inc. Contact
gina.kim@maryland.gov
or
eunyoung.hong@maryland.gov
for more information.
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MSAC TO HOST VISIONING SESSION WITH SOMERSET COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
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Join MSAC and the Somerset County Arts Council (SCAC) at the Princess Anne Library Thursday, December 12th from 5-6:30 pm to envision the future of the SCAC. Share your ideas for how SCAC can best serve Somerset County in a lively session with MSAC Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz, and Deputy Director, Steven Skerritt-Davis.
RSVP here.
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ARTS PROJECTS AMONG NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AWARDS ANNOUNCED
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Governor Larry Hogan announced in November more than $30 million in Fiscal Year 2020 neighborhood revitalization program awards that will support 181 projects in 23 jurisdictions across Maryland, potentially leveraging more than $600 million in private and nonprofit sector funds. The awards include funding for renovations of the Kent County Arts Council's future home; demolition and planning for the Garrett Arts Council's Grantsville Center; renovations to support Jubilee Arts' Youth in Business program; stabilization and expansion of the H&H Artists Collaborative in the Bromo A&E District; stabilization of the Armory in Crisfield's A&E District for renovation into a museum and community center; construction of an Arts and Education Center at Batimore's Creative Alliance; and facade improvement projects in many A&E Districts throughout the state.
Photographs courtesy of John Schratwieser
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CATONSVILLE DESIGNATED THE FIRST ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN BALTIMORE COUNTY
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Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz last month approved an application from Baltimore County, designating Catonsville the State's newest Arts and Entertainment (A&E) District. An area in Baltimore County that includes Catonsville’s business district along Frederick Road and the Lurman Woodland Theater will join 28 existing A&E Districts. Catonsville looks to build on its identity as “Music City, Maryland,” supporting the area's many musicians and music-related businesses while attracting new residents, businesses, and tourism. Congratulations Catonsville!
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT A&E DISTRICTS TO INFORM PROGRAM REVISIONS
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MSAC will host a listening session on December 18th at 6 pm to hear from Marylanders about how the
Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Districts program
serves them and gather ideas about program improvements. Whether you’re an artist working, selling, or performing in a district, a business owner, or someone who wants to see arts-centered revitalization in their community, MSAC staff wants to hear from you.
Photograph of First Fridays in Havre de Grace, photo courtesy of Havre de Grace A&E District
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MATCHING GRANT AVAILABLE TO PRESENT INDIGENOUS PERFORMING ARTISTS
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Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF) is pleased to partner with the Western Arts Alliance’s
Advancing Indigenous Performance
(AIP) Touring Fund, a new grant opportunity for presenters of Indigenous performing artists.
Who is eligible for funding?
Non-profit presenters in the mid-Atlantic region receiving funding through MAAF’s touring programs - including ArtsConnect, Special Presenters Initiatives, or through network programs such as the Folk and Traditional Arts Touring Network or Jazz Touring Network - for a project featuring Indigenous artists can receive up to a dollar-to-dollar matching grant from the AIP Touring Fund.
How does it work?
Presenters who wish to be considered for an AIP Touring Fund match should make a standard application to the above-mentioned MAAF program(s) engaging an eligible Indigenous artist/ensemble in the 2020-2021 cycle. If funded by MAAF, the awarded proposals will be forwarded to Western Arts Alliance for confirmation of eligibility and processing of matching funds.
For more information
visit MAAF'S
website
.
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Artist Highlight: Erika Rose
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Erika Rose
is a Helen Hayes Award winning actress, nominated three times for Best Actress. She is a proud native of Prince George's County. She attended Lewisdale Elementary School, Nicholas Orem Middle School and High Point High School before continuing her education at The University of Maryland, College Park where she studied Theater and Performance. Erika has worked as an actress for 18 years in the DMV. You may have seen her at Round House Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Imagination Stage, The African Continuum Theatre Company, Theatre J, The Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (Company Member), Theatre Alliance,
Ford's Theatre
and more. Erika is also working on a semi-autobiographical solo piece and is thankful for the support of the Maryland State Arts Council in this endeavor.
Photograph by Scott Suchman
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Chad Buterbaugh
is the staff folklorist at MSAC, where he directs and provides support for
the state folklife program Maryland Traditions and
folk and traditional artists and arts organizations. Folklife documentation is the joy of this work, and Chad says he has, "been privileged to listen to the stories and observe the traditions of folklife practitioners across the state." Previously, he completed extensive research on contemporary oral traditions in Ireland. Chad earned a PhD in folklore studies from Indiana University and is a former newspaper reporter.
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Liesel Fenner is the Public Art Program Director implementing the Maryland Public Art Initiative percent-for-art program integrating public art in state capital construction projects. She was previously the Public Art Program Manager at Americans for the Arts in Washington DC, planning programs and providing technical assistance to advance public art and design nationally. Liesel was formerly with the New England Foundation for the Arts in Boston where she managed public art projects working on design teams from planning through implementation. She completed her graduate studies at the Rhode Island School of Design and Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis.
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Senator Ronald Young was first
elected to the Senate in 2010 and has been a member of the Senate since 2011. Current assignments include:
- 2019 Chair, Executive Nominations Committee
- 2011- Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
- 2019 Chair, Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
Previously, Senator Young held the elected office of Mayor, City of Frederick, 1974-1990; Board of Alderman and City of Frederick, 1970-1974. Contributions to public service include serving as a councilor at Maryland State Arts Council, 2019-; Complete Streets Program Workgroup, 2018-; Maryland Comptroller's "Reform on Tap" Task Force, 2017; and Governor's Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders, 2015-.
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Heritage Award:
Nominations are open through December 6, 2019.
Heritage Awards
are $5,000 each and recognize long-term achievement in folklife, or community-based living cultural traditions handed down by example or word of mouth. Awards are given through the Maryland Traditions state folklife program and annually recognize one recipient in each of three categories: Person/People, Place, and Tradition.
FY21 Grants for Organization:
The Grants for Organizations (GFO) program provides annual operating grants to organizations that produce or present the arts to the general public through public programs or services. Request for Funding (RFF)
for "Off Year" grantees applications
are available via Smart Simple. RFF Applications are due on December 15, 2019. Questions about eligibility? Contact Program Directors
Emily Sollenberger
or
Laura Weiss
for more information about the Grants for Organizations program.
Presenting and Touring Program:
The Maryland Touring Grant assists eligible nonprofit organizations by, subsidizing the presentation of any performer on the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster. Guidelines for the FY20 Program can be found
here
and applications can be accessed in
Smart Simple
. All applicants will need to register for a new account. These grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed on a quarterly.
Creativity Grant Program:
The purpose of the Creativity Grant Program is to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations, in order to maintain a strong arts infrastructure in the state. The Creativity Grant also provides opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities. Guidelines for the FY20 Program can be found
here.
and applications can be accessed in
Smart Simple
.
All applicants will need to register for a new account. These grants are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed monthly.
Artist in Residence Program:
The MSAC's
Artist in Residence (AiR) Program
provides grants to Maryland schools that cover half the cost of a teaching artist residency. Guidelines for the FY20 Program can be found
here
and applications can be accessed in
eGrant
.
Questions about Artists in Residence Program? Contact Arts in Education Program Director
Precious Blake
for more information.
Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM):
The program offers two types of funding: Planning Grants of $2500 support administrative time for the planning and community visioning process - including support for artist proposal honorariums. Implementation Grants of up to $10,000 support projects that are designed and ready for fabrication. Maryland 501c3 non-profit organizations or local government agencies may apply. FY20 deadlines: February 12, 2020 and May 12, 2020. Guidelines are now
available
and the application is on
Smart Simple
.
Arts & Entertainment Districts:
Arts & Entertainment Districts Technical Assistance Grants support organizational development and marketing efforts for designated management entities of Maryland's 28 Arts & Entertainment Districts. Guidelines for the FY20 Program can be found
here
and applications can be accessed in
Smart Simple
. All applicants will need to register for a new account. These grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed as they are submitted.
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