Join Our New Name "Reveal" Meeting This Thursday! |
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As you know, the Four Rivers Boundaries have expanded!
One of the defining aspects of the Maryland Heritage Area Authority Program is its emphasis on Interpretive Themes. With our new boundary expansion, we have greatly augmented the theme of African American Heritage, and we have extended our maritime theme of “Commerce to Recreation” to a land-based version, focused on railroads and trails. Finally, we have added distinctive new natural experiences, some of which will help us share the Native American story of our area. We will be better able to provide diverse, quality heritage tourism experiences and leverage new investments in Anne Arundel County.
As part of this exciting change, we have undertaken a "rebrand," including a new name that is reflective of our new Heritage Area.
What will our new name be? We will be having a zoom meeting on Thursday, January 6 at 4:30 p.m. to make our announcement. Please send an e-mail to heritage_area@aacounty.org to receive the zoom invitation to this meeting. Thanks -- we look forward to having you join us!
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Technical Assistance for First-Time MHAA Grant Applicants
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If you are planning a project and would be a first-time applicant to the MHAA grant program — and are not sure how to get started with the Intent to Apply or the Application — then this is for you! Beginning the week of January 10, 2022, the Four Rivers Heritage Area will be offering FREE one-hour sessions of assistance to new applicants who have questions about the application process, grant requirements, writing a budget, planning for hiring a consultant, arranging your match, and much more! Our consultant is Ariane Hofstedt of AMH Strategies; she is a grant-writer of ten-plus years of experience in writing successful grant applications, including to the MHAA program. These free, one-hour one-on-one sessions will be available on a first come, first served basis and may fill up quickly.
Timeslots available as of January 3:
- January 10, 11, and 14 at 9:30
- Jan. 18 – 20, timeslots at 9:30 and 11:30
- Jan. 24 – 26, timeslots at 9:30 and 11:30
To reserve your timeslot, please email the heritage area office, at heritage_area@aacounty.org today! We will respond with a confirmation once your appointment is reserved. THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO APPLY.
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Restarting This Week! MHAA's Webinars for Project Grant Applicants |
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To share more about Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) grant opportunities, Andrew Arvizu of the MHAA staff will be hosting webinars outlining everything you need to know about the program.
Feel free to register for more than one upcoming session:
- Webinar on January 5 at 2pm
- Q&A Session on January 12 at 11am
- Q&A Session on January 20 at 6pm
- Q&A Session on January 26 at 4:30pm
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Twelfth Night by Candlelight at Hammond-Harwood House |
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Saturday, January 8
Matinee Concert 4:00 p.m
Evening Concert 7:00 p.m
Hammond-Harwood House
19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis
Join Hammond-Harwood House for an evening of music, poetry and merrymaking at their annual tradition! This year will feature cantatas and arias by Italian composers Claudio Monteverdi, Alessandro Scarlatti and Claudio Merulo, along with traditional carols of the season. Critically acclaimed soprano, Elissa Edwards, is joined by Dr. Joyce Chen on harpsichord and dramatic poetic recitations by Katrina Atsinger.
This is Hammond-Harwood House's most popular event of the year and due to COVID restrictions, they have limited seating for a live audience. Book today!
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New Exhibit Opening This Week at the Mitchell Gallery
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January 7–February 25, 2022
This exhibition of woodblock prints examines the historical perspectives of women and their depiction in art in Edo period Japan (1615–1858). Female characters in literature, kabuki theater, and poetry; the courtesans and geisha of the Yoshiwara district; and wives and mothers from different social classes performing the duties of their station are depicted in ways that provide some insight into the lives of women in pre-modern Japan.
This exhibition is organized by the Reading Public Museum, Reading, PA. Exhibition support is provided by Casey and Rex Pingle.
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View the Draft 2022 Land Preservation Parks and Recreation Plan |
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Financial Best Practices: Financial Planning for Independent Artists |
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Thursday, January 6
2:00 pm
Organization: Maryland State Arts Council
Join finance specialist Melanie Hopkins to discuss budgeting for a variable income, how to set your rates, and paying quarterly taxes.
As an independent artist it can feel impossible to be empowered in your financial management. In this session join finance specialist Melanie Hopkins to discuss budgeting for a variable income, how to set your rates, and how to pay quarterly taxes. A significant portion of the session will be open for participant questions.
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Historic African American Cemeteries Needs and Preservation Survey |
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Please help the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the Maryland Historical Trust, and other key partners to research the needs and opportunities facing historic African American cemeteries in the state. Data from this survey will inform a report in spring 2022, recommending actions to help protect and preserve these important sites.
Taking the cue from a 2021 House Bill, a working committee headed by the Maryland Commission for African American History and Culture and the Maryland Historical Trust (also including the Coalition and other interested parties) asks all cemetery owners, advocates, descendants, and citizens to take this survey as the important first step in determining needs of historic cemeteries and how to help meet them.
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MHAA FY2023 Grant Round Now Open! NEW APPLICANTS PLEASE READ |
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The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA), an independent state entity under the Maryland Department of Planning, is now accepting applications for FY23 grants under the Maryland Heritage Areas Grant Program. This grant program assists and encourages the preservation of historical, archeological, natural, and cultural resources while supporting economic development through heritage tourism across Maryland. Eligible projects must take place within the boundaries of one of the 13 certified heritage areas.
Eligible applicants for MHAA funding include nonprofit organizations and local, state, and federal government entities. Businesses and individuals are not eligible to participate. MHAA grants can fund both capital (acquisition, new construction, and historic preservation) and non-capital (planning, education, interpretation, and events) projects that support heritage tourism and education.
According to Four Rivers Executive Director Carol Benson, “This year’s MHAA grant round will be more challenging than ever, for a variety of reasons, including our expectation that we will have more new partners applying due to our boundary expansion. We specifically encourage new partners to apply, and WE HAVE NEW TECHNICAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING A FREE ONE-ON-ONE SESSION WITH AN EXPERIENCED GRANT-WRITING EXPERT FROM OUR AREA, TO ASSIST NEW APPLICANTS THIS YEAR. The application process is not arduous, but it has features that apply to our program specifically. Please send an e-mail to to learn more and to reserve one of the January session times (available to new applicants only). Thank you!”
Applicants must submit an Intent to Apply form through the MHAA’s financial incentives website by January 28, 2022, and full applications are due on March 8, 2022 (each local heritage area has its own deadline).
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Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program and Webinar |
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The Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program promotes the acquisition, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic properties in Maryland. Eligible properties are limited to those which are listed in or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing structure within a district. The program typically receives an annual appropriation of $600,000 for grants per year. Applications for the Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program are typically available in February and due in mid-March, with decisions made by July every year.
GENERAL OVERVIEW WEBINARS
Learn about eligibility of applicant organizations, properties, and projects; documentation required for the application; selection criteria, and more.
- General Overview Webinar - Friday, January 7th from 10am - 12pm
Q&A SESSIONS
After either attending or viewing a recording of the General Overview Webinar, come to a Q&A Session ready to talk about your specific project. Be prepared to ask detailed questions about your project, general questions about the program, or just listen in.
- Q&A Session - Wednesday, January 19th from 3pm - 5pm
- Q&A Session - Tuesday, February 15th from 10am-12pm
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We are hiring! As our workload expands, the Four Rivers Heritage Area is looking to fill a temporary part-time position for a Contractual Coordinator, with a great opportunity for advancement for the right person! Our fast-paced small office seeks an energetic problem-solver who is well-versed in Microsoft Office, WordPress, social media, and more!
An interest in heritage programming and grants management is a plus. Must be flexible and a “people-person”! Work will be both virtual and in-person in the office as COVID protocols allow. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to heritage_area@aacounty.org to receive more information. Thank you!
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Four Rivers Heritage Area | 410-222-1805 | heritage_area@aacounty.org | fourriversheritage.org |
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