SEPTEMBER

2022

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When I began our last Monday morning staff check-in of August with the greeting “Happy last week of summer!,” a staff member reminded me in the chat that Maryland summers stretch long into September, causing me to pause and rethink that greeting. It’s true! And, I’m a proponent of holding onto every last second of summer. As we head into a holiday weekend, I hope we all take time to savor the warm weather and summer mindset, and we come back revived and ready to dive into our creative, artistic, and/or administrative work. 


This month’s newsletter, as always, is full of opportunities for funding and professional development to support independent artists and arts organizations. I hope you’ll join us this month for a Coffee with the Council discussion, learn more about one or more of our programs at an informational session, or submit an application for your project, engagement, or idea. 


And enjoy your end of summer, whenever you choose that to be. 


Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director

MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES

ARTS IN EDUCATION

Create + Innovate Award for Teaching Artists in the Mid-Atlantic Region

The Create + Innovate Award for Teaching Artists was announced at the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artist Retreat, which was held virtually on August 9-10. (Click here for more information on the sessions and recordings.) Teaching artists who live in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia are eligible to win a cash award of $1,000. Successful applicants will submit an idea that reflects their ability to activate unique creative learning opportunities with students. Multiple awards are available. Applications will be adjudicated by a panel of fellow teaching artists.


To qualify, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Submit a viable project that you plan to implement by March 31, 2023.
  • Be a resident in one of the participating conference states.
  • Be a practicing teaching artist in the Mid-Atlantic region (states indicated above) and work no more than half-time at an organization.


To apply, click here.

CREATIVITY GRANTS

Creativity Grants are open to Independent Artists and Organizations on a rolling basis for up to $4,000!


Thanks to the Arts Relief funding, MSAC is able to award more funding to the Creativity Grant program. Independent Artists are encouraged to apply for project-based support, and small arts organization/programs are encouraged to apply for general operating support this year.


Bonus! Those organizations who receive FY23 general operating support have the opportunity to apply for more Arts Relief funding this year. Reach out to Program Directors Laura Weiss and Emily Sollenberger for more information. Applications accepted and awarded monthly. Apply now!

Still from the documentary "Through the Eyes of Others"  by Meagan Adele Lopez, a recent Creativity Grant awardee.


To learn more about the film, click here.

EMERGENCY GRANTS

Emergency Grant applications for Independent Artists are currently being accepted for $2,000 grants! If you have experienced a loss of income due to an emergency scenario that impacts your work as an independent artist, we encourage you to apply. Reach out to Program Directors Laura Weiss and Emily Sollenberger for more information.


Applications accepted on a rolling basis and awarded monthly. Apply now!

GRANTS FOR ARTISTS

MSAC's new Grants for Artists program will be piloted in winter 2023 and will provide operating support to Maryland artists. The program is currently budgeted at $1.2 million. To learn more, attend one of two Grants for Artists information sessions hosted in October and December. Click here to register.

GRANTS FOR ORGANIZATIONS

Now Open! The FY24 Grants for Organizations (GFO) Intent to Apply application is now open. New organizations (those who did not receive GFO support for FY23) who are interested in applying to the GFO program for FY24 general operating support must submit an Intent to Apply application to be considered. Click here to read the program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and other information. Intent to Apply deadline: September 15, 2022

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

Master artist Kate Spanos (right; Prince George’s County) teaches apprentice artist Becky Hill (left; Prince George’s County) Irish step dance during a 2021-2022 Folklife Apprenticeship.

Folklife Apprenticeship applications are now being accepted until February 28, 2023. Folklife Apprenticeships are $5,000 each and support traditional arts education through the teaching of skills from a master artist to an apprentice artist. During this special Arts Relief-funded cycle, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed and applicants will be notified on a monthly basis. Maryland residents are eligible to apply. For more information, click here to view this Information Session recording or contact Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons at  ryan.koons@maryland.gov or 410.767.6568.

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

Information Session

Public Art Across Maryland Grants. Missed our webinar in July? We’re presenting it again, Wednesday, September 7, Noon - 1:00 pm. Check out the new FY23 Guidelines and bring your questions. Click here to register.


Public Art Conservation- Coffee With the Council

Interested in taking on a conservation project but not sure where to start? Join Coffee With The Council on September 20 to hear from recent Conservation Grant recipients discussing the challenges and strategies to planning and carrying out a successful project. Click here to register.


Public Program Art Staff Virtual Office Hours

If you are an artist or organization interested in applying for a Public Art Across Maryland Grant, you can book an appointment to discuss your idea or project with MSAC Staff. Discussing your application with a staff member is a great way to strengthen your application or budget before submitting.

To book time to discuss New Artwork applications with Liesel Fenner, click here.

To book time to discuss Conservation applications with Ryan Patterson, click here.

Victor Ekpuk Commissioned to Create New Artwork for Bowie State University

An Artist Selection Committee has selected Victor Ekpuk (Alexandria, VA) to receive the $515,000 commission to create new artwork for the MLK Jr. Communication Arts & Humanities building at Bowie State University. Ekpuk has exhibited internationally and was a featured artist in The Phillips Collection Centennial Celebration. Nearly 300 artists applied for the opportunity at BSU. Ekpuk will work closely with the BSU community, and buildings design team in developing the artwork.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT

& UPCOMING EVENTS

Available to both independent artists and arts organizations, this grant helps support learning opportunities that help the artist or organization learn or develop an identified area of growth. Grants are available for up to $2,000. Applications accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed and awarded monthly. Apply Now!


MSAC Virtual Events this Month

PRESENTING AND TOURING

Dan + Claudia Zanes, Touring Roster artists

Are you planning to hire performing artists at your venue this year? Consider hiring from the Touring Artist Roster, and apply to the Touring Grant to help cover booking fees and associated expenses. Grants are awarded for up to $5,000 and can cover multiple Touring Roster Artists in the application!


Applications accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed monthly. Apply Now!

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?

Contact the MSAC staff person for the program you’re interested in learning more about. 

MSAC NEWS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We're hiring! MSAC seeks a Deputy Director to join its team and serve at the forefront of providing funding to Maryland's artists and arts organizations! The Deputy Director provides management and supervision of assigned programs and associated staff and is responsible for directing data collection including the development, preparation and presentation of reports in response to programming and initiatives. This position oversees the Special Requests Grant Program, and directly supervises the Marketing and Communications Manager, with oversight of all marketing collateral and communications.


The Deputy Director also directs all agency professional development activities for both constituents and staff, fielding requests from constituents and staff and supervising the Regional Events Planner in developing, designing, and implementing all professional development activities. The Deputy Director will also serve as a spokesperson and representative for MSAC within state government agencies, corporate, foundation, and educational communities, regionally and nationally within the arts sector. Click here for more information and to apply.


Applications are due Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 5 p.m.

WELCOME, CATHY!

Please welcome MSAC's new Grants Director, Cathy Teixeira! Cathy is an arts administrator whose career has spanned roles in various facets of arts management including operations, finance, fundraising, programming, and producing - the common thread through it all has been her passion for supporting artists, arts workers, and communities.


After over five years in the Hudson Valley, NY, she returned to her home state in 2022 to join the staff of the Maryland State Arts Council. Prior to joining MSAC, she was the General Manager of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College. She has also worked at several arts organizations, including PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century), Lumberyard Contemporary Performing Arts, and BlackRock Center for the Arts.


She is part of the fourth cohort of Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts & Diversity), a 2-year program designed to evolve the industry landscape by empowering the next generation of executive leaders. She holds an MA in Arts Management from American University and a BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park.

ATTENTON ORGANIZATIONS!

Starting September 1, 2022, the Unique Entity ID (UEI) will be required of all organizations (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and schools/universities) applying for funding from MSAC. This federally required UEI will take the place of a DUNS number, which will no longer appear on organizational profiles. After 9/1, an organization without a UEI may be considered ineligible for funding.


NOTE: Independent Artists do not need to obtain a UEI.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

The MSAC Online Resource Bulletin, maintained by Maryland Art Place, includes regional, national, and international exhibition opportunities, public art opportunities, grants, fellowships, residencies, artist registries, and information on available studio spaces in the area. The Resource Bulletin is updated throughout the month, so click here to see what new opportunities have been posted!


Do you have something to add? Email Caitlin Gill at caitlin@mdartplace.org.

The Maryland State Arts Council is committed to making sure all Marylanders can access its programs and services. Guests with further accessibility questions or who require accommodations may fill out the Accommodations Request Form or contact the MSAC Office Secretary at msac.commerce@maryland.gov.

Connect with us at msac.org!