February 22, 2021
Volume 21-12
Welcome!
Welcome to Artist Alley,
Washington County Arts Council's electronic newsletter. We hope this publication will engage you with the arts in your community.
WCAC welcomes your ideas and support as it continues to take the lead in bringing together the community's art organizations to strengthen our region's arts culture.
For artist information, arts events, calls for art, and more visit WCAC's web page... www.washingtoncountyarts.com.
MSAC Upcoming Virtual Events
Coffee with Ken!
Here’s your chance to get the ear of the Director! Join MSAC’s Executive Director Ken Skrzesz and your fellow colleagues across the state on Tuesday mornings with your favorite coffee drink (or tea, if you’re like Ken!) for a topic-specific dialogue about the arts in Maryland.
 
Equity and Justice in Employment Procedures
Tuesday, February 23rd, 9 a.m.
Ken is joined by special guests Michael Ross, Executive Director and Stephanie Ybarra, Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage to share ideas for transforming employment procedures as a way to actionalize equity and justice. To register, click here.

Open Discussion
Tuesday, March 2nd, 9 a.m.
To register, click here.
Looking ahead, check our Eventbrite page here for info on these upcoming sessions!
 
  • Aesthetic Perspectives Workshops:  Attributes of Excellence in Arts for Change is a framework consisting of 11 attributes that enhance understanding and evaluation of creative work at the intersection of arts and civic engagement, community development, and social justice. Join facilitator Jess Solomon, contributor to Aesthetic Perspectives, as we take a reflective dive into a few attributes each week over the course of 4 sessions. 

  • Creative Conversations: The winter edition of this popular series will focus on connection and sharing between artists in respective disciplines: Independent Artists (theatre, music, dance, literary, visual 2D, visual 3D, media/film, public art, and folk & traditions).

  • Financial Best Practices for Independent Artists: Arts Finance Specialist, Melanie Hopkins, returns as part of our Best Practices series! In Financial Best Practices for Independent Artists, take a dive into estimated tax payments, 1099s vs W2s, what is deductible, and bookkeeping basics.
 
  • Maryland Traditions (¡en espanol!): Maryland Traditions es el programa estatal de las artes tradicionales. Se identifica, documenta, soporta, y presenta las artes tradicionales a través de subvenciones a organizaciones e individuos, festivales y otras actividades, alcance directo a los artistas, y actividades de archivo. Este webinar proporciona una descripción en español de la programación de Maryland Traditions.
MSAC is hosting a series of Out of School Time networking webinars where teaching artists and arts organizations with educational summer programming can connect with interested schools and nonprofits!
 
Summer OST Networking: Adult Programs
Thursday, February 25th, 1:30 p.m.
To register, click here.
2021 Virtual Masterclass Collective Songwriting: Martha Gonzalez
March 12th & 13th
Explore the collective songwriting process utilized by Chican@ Artivistas in East LA. in this two-day COLLABORATIVE SONGWRITING Workshop!
  • Day 1: Take in the history and development of the method, the different stages of the process, and its significance to Latinx communities.
  • Day 2: Experience the method as a participant! Compose an original song in two hours.
To register, click here.
 
Hands are for Holding with Gibney Dance
Thursday, April 29th, 4:30 p.m.
Interested in experiencing how arts can be a great entry point to explore complex issues with young people? Gibney’s Hands are for Holding® is a workshop series that uses dance and movement to engage in conversation about healthy relationships, cyber-abuse, equity, boundaries, and consent in everyday interactions. At this workshop, you will have an opportunity to:
  • Experience self-care and embodiment practices and tools
  • Witness a video performance that depicts characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships
  • Dialogue around topics such as cyber-abuse, boundaries, and consent
  • Learn and share resources that support young people
 
No dance experience is necessary! To register, click here.
Foundations 101 + Maryland's Philanthropic Landscape
Friday, March 12th, 9:30 a.m.
Maryland Philanthropy Network invites the staff and board members of nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations and social enterprises to our recurring program on foundations and the broader landscape of philanthropy in Maryland. This learning opportunity is most appropriate to new grantseekers and to nonprofit organizations in Baltimore and central Maryland. This webinar uses questions or polls to actively engage participants in building a common knowledge of foundations and other grantmakers. To register, click here.
Maryland Arts Institute of Racial Justice
 
Lunchtime Book Club
Select Tuesdays at Noon
Connect with members of Maryland’s arts sector to build shared language and understandings about racial justice through guided discussions and sharing. 
 
Winter 2021 Monthly Academy: Becoming an Anti-Racist
January - May 2021
The Winter Academy will be monthly workshops from January - May and will address issues of understanding race, unpacking privilege, examining bias, and moving towards racial justice. After each academy session, there will be a reflection session to help support attendees during this journey. Each session will also include 30 minutes of pre-work/reflection prior to the session.
 
For dates, times, and registration for both, click here.
The Maryland State Arts Council is accessible to all patrons.
Guests with accessibility questions or who require additional assistance
may call 410-767-6476 or email precious.blake@maryland.gov.
Connect with us
To stay connected, please join the
Links for Artists


The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development.
Supported in part by:
The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of
County Arts Agencies of Maryland,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts
The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible!
Thank you for providing your email address to the
Washington County Arts Council. Your information was obtained from
at least one of the following methods: signing our guest book,
becoming a member, donating, entering a contest, or exhibiting with us.
You may text WCAC to 22828 on your mobile device
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click the button below - Thank you!
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