Opportunities

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 .

Save the Date

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 .

THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART RECEIVES $5 MILLION GIFT TO ESTABLISH CENTER DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF FRENCH MASTER HENRI MATISSE

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) announced that it has received a gift of $5 million from the Ruth Carol Fund to support the creation of a center within the museum dedicated to the study of French artist Henri Matisse, drawing on the museum’s incomparable collection of more than 1,200 works by the artist. In recognition of this generous gift and in tribute to the Ruth Carol Fund’s founder, a longtime BMA supporter, the center will be called The Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies. The Marder Center will serve as a major resource for scholars, providing new opportunities for research and symposia, for the presentation of exhibitions that contribute to both academic and public understanding of the French master’s practice, and for the digitization and publication of portions of the collection, making it accessible to audiences around the world. The gift from the Ruth Carol Fund provides essential support toward the design and construction of the space and also establishes an endowment for the Marder Center’s ongoing operations. The Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies is slated to open in 2021, with a focus presentation drawn from the BMA’s vast Matisse collection. Read the full press release here.

2019 SUMMER MARYLAND CENTERS FOR CREATIVE CLASSROOMS (MC3)

2019 Summer Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms (MC3) was full of transformative discovery driven by creativity and collaboration! MSDE is proud to provide statewide professional learning opportunities that make space for reflection, skill building and networking. The Arts Education, Arts Leadership, and Arts Integration tracks are dutifully designed for their immediate audience, while maintaining a common thread of centering processes and connections.

MSAC staff member, Dana Parsons, is currently on the Master Teacher Roster for MSDE, traveling around the state to engage arts and non-arts teachers in theatre professional development with a focus on creative process.

MARYLAND FOLKLIFE AREA & STAGE AT THE NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

The 79th National Folk Festival takes place Sept. 6-8 as part of its 2018-2020 residency in downtown Salisbury. This free, multi-stage event will feature the Maryland Folklife Area & Stage, a showcase of traditional artists who have been supported over the years by MSAC’s Maryland Traditions Folklife Program.

The theme of this year’s Maryland Folklife Area & Stage is Maryland Masters , which highlights current and past recipients of the Apprenticeship Award, a grant supporting the teaching of folklife knowledge from a master to an artist in-training, in keeping with the centuries-old practice of artisans sharing skills with students through a hands-on course of experiential learning.

Maryland Masters will feature music, dance, craft, culinary, and occupational traditions based in Maryland and coming from around the world, including Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, India, Poland, Mexico, Tahiti, and many more points of origin. The program will conclude Sunday, Sept. 8, with performances and demonstrations from the 2018-2019 class of artist-in-training award recipients. See the full festival program to learn more about parking, lodging, and other logistics.

Photo: 2018-2019 Apprenticeship Award team Oliver Corona (left, apprentice) and Ruben “Dario” Corona (right, master) will demonstrate Dominican barbering traditions in the Maryland Folklife Area & Stage at the 79th National Folk Festival. Photo by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.

NATURAL DYE INITIATIVE

The first indigo and natural dye plants harvest day at Parks and People Foundation was held on August 19, 2019. The First Lady of Maryland, Yumi Hogan, visited the harvesting event to utilize the Natural Dye Initiative farm and join our first indigo & natural dye plants harvest day. She expertly harvested rows of indigo with other project partners who joined for the event. Rosa Chang, senior adviser & farming supervisor for the Natural Dye Initiative and MSAC staff member, did a demonstration of how to extract indigo pigments from the harvested leaves during the harvesting event. Kenya Miles, Natural Dye expert and farmer for the Natural Dye Initiative, and Sun (Bobby) English Jr., artist and farmer, did a demonstration of how to create natural dye shades from harvested marigold and black-eyed Susan flowers and guided the harvesting process. A total of 41 pounds of indigo plants were harvested during the day! Participants and project partners included Maryland Institute College of Art, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Commerce, and the City of Baltimore Development of Corporation.

News

REGIONAL ARTS INSTITUTES

At seven different locations across Maryland, MSAC is hosting its second annual Regional Arts Institutes as part of our professional development series this fall for all arts constituents. Visit msac.org to RSVP.

1. One-on-one networking and resource opportunities.

2. New MSAC Strategic Plan.

3. Launching of the Independent Artist Network.

4. Review of the Grants for Organizations on-year full application.

5. Presentations by MSAC Partners, MD State Department of Education, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance.

2019-2020 MID ATLANTIC TOURS ENGAGEMENTS ANNOUNCED

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has awarded $95,090 in grants supporting 37 performing arts engagements through its 2019-2020 Mid Atlantic Tours program. The grants, awarded directly to presenting organizations, will support engagements by artists at venues throughout the Mid Atlantic region. All engagements will include public performances and activities designed to foster greater appreciation for artists' work and offer meaningful exchanges between artists and the public. Information on the Mid Atlantic Tours program and a complete list of current tours, including presenters and dates, can be accessed  here . For specific performance dates and times, please contact the appropriate presenting organization. The 2020-2021 Mid Atlantic Tours roster will be available for booking in late fall 2019.

Image: Crys Matthews. Credit: Ursula Hoppe.

ON SCREEN/IN PERSON INDEPENDENT FILM TOURING PROGRAM ANNOUNCES 2019-2020 TOURS AND HOST SITES

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has announced the film lineup for the 2019-2020 season of the On Screen/In Person program. The On Screen/In Person program tours communities across the Mid Atlantic region to screen their recent work and increase accessibility and appreciation for film through direct audience engagement.

Regional nonprofit venues and arts organizations actively participate in the program by serving as host sites for the touring filmmakers through a partnership with Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. The filmmakers will host public screenings of their films at various venues, including question and answer sessions with the audience. Each filmmaker visit will also include a co mmunity engagement activity collaboratively developed by the filmmaker and local host site. Please visit the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation website for film synopses, filmmaker biographies, and host site information.

Image: Promotional poster for "Risking Light" produced by Miranda Wilson

MID ATLANTIC ARTS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FOLK & TRADITIONAL ARTS TOURING NETWORK 2019-2020 TOURS

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF) has announced $18,470 in support of the 2019-2020  Folk and Traditional Arts Touring Network  (FTAN) tours. FTAN is a presenter based membership network designed to increase public understanding of folk and traditional arts in the region. FTAN members annually book tours featuring artists and practitioners that represent the range of living traditions and cultural backgrounds present in the United States. FTAN tour engagements include public performances or demonstrations, cultural presentations, and collaboratively planned residency activities. For venues and dates, click  here . Please contact venues directly for tickets and to confirm performance dates and times.

Photo Credit: Aurelio Martinez by Richard Holder.

MSAC PROGRAM DIRECTOR SITE VISITS

The new Arts Services Program Directors have both made it a high priority to meet all of the incredible organizations and artists that MSAC currently supports. Laura and Emily, who both joined MSACat the end of June, have begun hitting the road to introduce themselves throughout the State. 

Throughout the month of August, Laura and Emily visited organizations in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Talbot County, and Montgomery County. One highlight included attending ArtsCentric's production of "Little Shop of Horrors," where Laura was struck by the strength and power of the singing voices of this entire cast. Laura was also introduced to the many unique and interesting classes, workshops, events, and performances happening at The Writer's Center in Bethesda. She also had the pleasure of watching the students of Contemporary Art's Summer Arts Extraordinaire Camp perform at Loyola University.

Emily was able to visit Imagination Stage in Bethesda with Grants Director Dana Parsons to see their production of “The Ballad of Mu Lan,” which included a lively audience of young children and families. Emily also visited UMBC’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, celebrated summer programming with Jubilee Arts, toured the latest exhibit “Time and Place” in The Walter’s Art Museum newly renovated 1 West Mount Vernon Place, and many more.

Laura and Emily traveled together, along with Grants Director Dana Parsons, to Easton for a day trip where they visited three currently funded organizations. The three MSAC staff members were excited to meet the staff and boards behind the great work happening at the Academy Art Museum, the Avalon Foundation, and the Waterfowl Festival.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES FREE EVENTS IN HONOR OF NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWS

This September, two free events will celebrate the 2019 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows—recipients of our nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. The awards ceremony on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 is an opportunity to hear remarks by the 2019 Fellows and meet them at a post-event reception. On Friday, September 20, a free concert will feature performances, demonstrations, and stories from the 2019 Heritage Fellows, highlighting the richness of our country’s cultural traditions. The concert will also be available through a live webcast at  arts.gov .

 

The 2019 National Heritage Fellows from Maryland are:

 

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter  and  members of Congress  will honor the  2019 National Heritage Fellows  at an awards ceremony, which will include a presentation of medals and short remarks by the recipients that will be followed by a reception on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. ET at Library of Congress's Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington, DC. This event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required.

Storyteller Mama Linda Goss of Baltimore City (left) and Decoy carver Rich Smoker of Somerset County (right). Photos by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.

CHESTERTOWN PUBLIC ART WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The Town of Chestertown was awarded a 2019 Codaworx CODAaward for the public artwork "Broad Reach" by Baltimore artist, David Hess.



The sculptures, sited in Wilmer Park, were designed to evoke nautical imagery of a wave and sail and are installed amidst the landscape meant to simulate a rolling sea framing views of the Chester River. 

The project came about through the Chestertown Public Art Master Plan funded through an NEA Our Town Grant. MSAC also contributed funding to help implement the artwork.

The internationally acclaimed CODAawards celebrate projects that successfully integrate commissioned art into interior, architectural, and public spaces. The CODAawards program honors the individuals and the teams whose collective imaginations create the public and private spaces that inspire us every day.

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 . 

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.

FY21 Grants for Organization: Intent to Apply Form is now available! If your organization is a NEW Applicant or if your organization DID NOT receive a Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 MSAC GFO Grant, your organization must complete an Intent to Apply Form to be considered for funding in FY21. Applications are available via Smart Simple . All Intent to Apply Forms are due by by 5 pm on September 15, 2019. Questions about eligibility? Contact Program Directors Emily Sollenberger or Laura Weiss for more information about the Grants for Organizations program.