Beginning tomorrow and throughout October, November, and December, the MSAC team will be holding regional office hours on specific days at locations throughout the state! Come join us in Ellicott City, Cumberland, Centreville, Leonardtown, Cambridge, Upper Marlboro, and Baltimore to learn more about MSAC programs, connect (or re-connect) in-person, or discuss your grant application. Individual meetings are on a first come, first served basis. We’ll hold an open MSAC overview and question and answer session 12:30-1:15 p.m. at each location. Click here to see dates and register on Eventbrite or see the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.
Today, we are opening the application for Arts Relief General Operating Support (ARGOS) for organizations that are supported through the Grants for Organizations, County Arts Development, A&E Districts Operating Support, and Folklife Network grants. Current grantees should have received notifications from program directors with information about the grant and upcoming program-specific info sessions. Applications are due October 31. Click here for more information about ARGOS. To register for info sessions on Eventbrite, click here. Organizations receiving general operating support through the Creativity Grant will have the opportunity to apply for additional ARGOS funds beginning later this fall.
Enjoy the fall weather, and I hope to see you at an arts event sometime soon!
Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director
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Registration for 2022-23 Poetry Out Loud is now open!
The words of great poets literally come to life in Poetry Out Loud (POL), a literary arts program created by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation. Through MSAC support, POL helps students across Maryland master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Registration is now live for independent students, schools, non-profits, county arts agencies, and other organizations who intend to submit videos for regional competition consideration. Registration closes on November 15. To learn more and register for 2022-23 Poetry Out Loud competition, click here.
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Shaela Davis, Full Circle Dance Company, a Creativity Grant recipient. Photo from Brion McCarthy Photo. | |
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 at laura.weiss@maryland.gov and Emily Sollenberger at emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov for more information. Apply now!
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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 at laura.weiss@maryland.gov and Emily Sollenberger at emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov for more information.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis and awarded monthly. Apply now!
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The Grants for Organizations (GFO) program is seeking panelists! GFO provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations, as well as units of government, that produce or present ongoing arts programming that is open to the public.
MSAC relies on a diverse array of experts from across the state of Maryland to do the important work of evaluating applications. MSAC selects GFO panelists with a focus on diversity of experiences, diversity of location, and expertise in the disciplines of the organizations under review. Panelists must be Maryland residents. For a full description, requirements and to apply, click here.
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Nominations for the 2023 Maryland Heritage Awards are open until November 15, 2022. The public is invited to make nominations recognizing long-term achievement in the traditional arts in any of three categories: Person or People, Place, or Tradition. Six awardees will receive an award of $10,000 each. Make a nomination using MSAC’s application system, SmartSimple. Contact Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons at ryan.koons@maryland.gov with questions. | |
Meki and JoAnn Toalepai (Anne Arundel County) won a 2022 Heritage Award for their work as entertainers, event producers, and cultural ambassadors for Pacific Islander culture. Photo by Human Being Productions. | |
PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND
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Whether a mural, temporary pop-up installation, or downtown improvements like creative light-pole banners, public art improves spaces and highlights the work of Maryland artists in our communities. It’s not too late to develop a grant application for the Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) October 24, deadline. With increased funding, this is the year to apply!
New Artworks supports organizations and independent artists: Planning Grants (up to $10k) to support the admin and artists design time, as well as Project Grants (up to $50k) to support the creation and fabrication of the work. No project is too large or too small.
We also offer Conservation Grants to support the maintenance and conservation of public art, if there is an existing public artwork in your community needing attention and care.
The public art team is more than happy to meet to discuss your project idea - book a time slot and let’s talk soon!
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT | |
Cindy Cisneros, LCPC-S, LPC, Creativity Coach, shares her reaction to receiving a Professional Development grant! | |
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!
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Info Sessions
Regional Office Hours
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Individual Office Hours
12:30 - 1:15 p.m. Brown Bag Q&A
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Individual Office Hours
Listening Sessions
Coffee with the Council
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Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?
Contact the MSAC staff person for the program you’re interested in learning more about.
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As of September 1, 2022, a Unique Entity ID (UEI) is 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. An organization without a UEI may be considered ineligible for funding.
NOTE: Independent Artists do not need to obtain a UEI.
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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.
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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. | | | | | |