The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize artists in a variety of disciplines for their outstanding quality of work. From fiction writers to visual artists to musicians, each of this year's 20 award-winning Fellows has a unique story and outstanding talent. Profiles and work samples from each of these Fellows are now available on the Division’s website. 
April is National Poetry Month
In April, we'll feature a Poem of the Week, highlighting award-winning Delaware poets. 

  • April 1 – Sophia Zhao, Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winner, Charter School of Wilmington
  • April 8 – Karen Hurley-Heyman, 2019 Emerging Fellow in Poetry
  • April 15 – Chet’la Sebree, 2019 Established Fellow in Poetry
  • April 22 – Iris Hwang, Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winner, St. Andrew's School
  • April 29 – Al Mills, Delaware Poet Laureate
It's a Wrap!
Thirty-six talented state employees and their family members were honored at the 8th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by The National Arts Program® and the Delaware Division of the Arts. This program is designed to give Delaware state employees and their families, at any skill level, a unique opportunity to exhibit their artwork and to compete for cash prizes.

Twenty-eight awards were given out in five categories–Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under). Other distinguished awards included the: Best of Show Award, Two People’s Choice Awards (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook and entries by email and in-person ballot votes at the Gallery), Art Education Award (up to $200 reimbursement for arts instruction and materials), and four Special Award categories.

2019 Artwork is available on Facebook and reception and award ceremony photos are available on Flickr.
The 2019 Delaware Arts Summit will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. This all-day conference invites everyone involved or interested in Delaware's arts community to join us as we connect, learn and get inspired.

The day will culminate in a special afternoon event, the Governor's Awards for the Arts, where we'll honor a handful of arts individuals for their significant contributions and profound impact on the artistic and cultural life of Delaware. See past Governor's Awards recipients
Chelsea Anokye-Agyei, a senior from Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, will represent Delaware in the 2019 Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 30. She will be the first contestant in the East Central and Northeast region to recite at 9 a.m.!
From the Director
Flowers are blooming, tree buds are popping, and allergy sufferers are wheezing. It must be spring! But with it, a rich array of cultural offerings: concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and recitals.

This month the Division of the Arts will be featuring a number of poets in celebration of National Poetry Month. DelawareScene will be filling up with events across the state. Performing artists of local, national and international acclaim will perform on Delaware stages, and artists from around the globe will present their work in Delaware’s museums and galleries.

In schools across the state, students will be performing in spring choral and instrumental concerts, appearing in spring musicals, and exhibiting their work in school and district arts festivals. These budding artists are the hope for our future, both as artists and as future audiences.

From the young to the not-so-young, Delaware is blessed to have a rich heritage of culture; one that deserves our ongoing support, attendance, and individual commitment of time, talent, and treasure. Take time this spring to smell the flowers, attend a concert, go to a dance recital, explore an exhibition. It will make your life so much richer!
On the Mezzanine
Painting with Wood
by Robert Bruce Weston
The Point , 2017, wood veneer, 19″ x 30″ (courtesy of The Wright Collection)
Painting with Wood, an exhibition of “wood veneer paintings” by Robert Bruce Weston, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from April 5-26, 2019.

Weston draws from his vast experience with wood when creating his art. He is a retired cabinetmaker with over 30 years of experience. During that time, he became a collector of exotic and domestic wood veneers. A veneer is a very thin slice of wood (usually less than 1/8 inch) prized for its decorative surface. Weston’s creative process is inspired by the patterns in the wood veneers. 
Visitors to the Gallery should enter via the courtyard doors on French Street and take the elevators to the Mezzanine level due to renovations in the building. The Gallery will be closed for Good Friday on Friday, April 19.
Learn more about Weston with our
The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the
Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. 
Featured Opportunities
Save the Date
For the Fifth Annual "Fundamental Not Ornamental"
Summer Professional Development Learning for Arts Educators
Sponsored jointly by the Delaware Department of Education, the Division of the Arts and the University of Delaware, this statewide summer professional development opportunity convenes arts educators from schools, organizations, as well as, teaching artists for two days of engagement in how to implement the new national arts standards. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration links will be provided here next month.
New Castle County
Wilbur Elementary School
4050 Wrangle Hill Road, Bear
July 10 & 11, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
PDMS 50487 & 50488
Kent & Sussex Counties
Milford Central Academy
1021 N. Walnut St., Milford
July 17 & 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
PDMS 50489 & 50490
State Arts Council Seeks New Members
The Delaware State Arts Council is seeking candidates to fill two vacancies that have opened up in recent months. 

The Council serves as the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts. The Council advises the Division of the Arts on matters of arts policy, funding for the arts, and other issues relevant to support for the arts in Delaware. Council members represent the state geographically and politically and are appointed on the basis of their interest and experience in the arts.

Council members serve as advocates for the arts, promoting and encouraging participation in and appreciation of the arts throughout the state. Council members must be residents of Delaware and are eligible to serve a renewable three-year term. The Council meets quarterly, rotating its meetings between the three counties. For more information on the Delaware State Arts Council, please read the DSAC History.

If you are interested in being considered for an appointment by the Governor to the Delaware State Arts Council, complete the Boards and Commissions Application, found on the Governor’s site, and return it to the Governor’s office. Please indicate “Board #0014: Delaware State Arts Council” on the application.
The Division has embarked on a year-long digital advertising campaign to increase reach and engagement on DelawareScene.com . We remind and recommend that organizations, businesses and individual artists, submit their 2019-2020 events as soon as they are scheduled, and no later than the recommended deadlines below. Submit now
Event Date
May, June, July & August
September & October
November & December
January & February 2020
March & April 2020
Submission Deadline
As soon as possible
May 15
July 15
September 15
November 15
Ongoing Division Grant Deadlines
Artist Opportunity: deadline 7/1/19, for activities happening between 8/15/19-11/15/19.

Artist Residency: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to start of scheduled residency

Artist Roster : rolling deadline.
Arts Access Grants: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to project start date

TranspARTation Grant: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to field trip date.
Please note: All applications for grants must be submitted through smARTDE.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit  arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.