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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.
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As a young choreographer, I was intrigued by the work of Agnes de Mille. Her approach to narrative choreography drew a clear line between the conveyance of an idea and how that idea became movement. I could trace her gestural variations back to the thought that inspired them and gained confidence in my own abilities because of the clarity of her process. De Milleâs concert work RODEO, as well as her ballets for the musicals OKLAHOMA! and CAROUSEL, changed how we think about communicating a story with dance.
As we find ourselves in the first days of 2021, the innovative and imaginative thought weâve given to how we work and how our work is received will begin to pay off. As confidence is restored, arts audiences will begin to give into their cravings for aesthetic inspiration and the adjustments we made in 2020 will be integrated into the way we previously made art. Over the last year we, like Agnes de Mille, have acted upon one idea after another clarifying our process in real time. We took chances without knowing the details of what comes next or when audiences will return and, I believe, our entire sector will be better because of the challenges of the time.
My favorite quote by Agnes de Mille sums up what weâve been through. âLiving is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.â I look forward to leaping into 2021 together!
Ken Skrzesz, Executive Director, Maryland State Arts Council
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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. To post your call for entry, email Caitlin Gill at caitlin@mdartplace.org.
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Have something to add? Email msac.commerce@maryland.gov or visit the link below to see the what's being offered virtually around the state!
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FOLKLIFE APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE
JANUARY 15th @ 5 P.M.
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Beijing opera master artist Xueling Qin (left) coaches learner artist Sarah Xiaoxian Xie (right) during a 2016-2017 Folklife Apprenticeship. Hear more about their experience here. Photo and linked presentation by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.
Maryland Traditions applications are open for 2021-2022 Folklife Apprenticeships. This grant supports traditional arts education through the teaching of skills from a master artist to a learner artist. Grants are $5,000 each, with $4,000 disbursed to the master artist and $1,000 to the learner artist during a one-year teaching period. Visit our website for more information.
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KEN SKRZESZ ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL DANCE EDUCATION ORGANIZATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Congrats to our own Ken Skrzesz for being elected as a Policy Board Director for the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)!
The NDEO is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to advancing dance education centered in the arts for people of all backgrounds. NDEO provides dance artists, educators, and administrators of all backgrounds a network of resources and support, a base for advocacy and research, and access to professional development opportunities that focus on the importance of dance in the human experience.
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: COMMUNICATION |
MSAC has put together a document for arts organizations to use in the case of an employee or someone close to the organization tests positive for COVID-19. Consider these best practices when taking next steps - or in your emergency preparedness work. Click here for the full sized PDF document.
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JANUARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
Click the button below to learn more and to register for any of these free virtual sessions!
Coffee with Ken: Open Discussion
Tuesday, January 5th, 9 a.m.
Hereâs your chance to get the ear of MSACâs Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz!
Coffee with Ken: Who are we as artists?
Tuesday, January 12th, 9 a.m.
Hereâs your chance to get the ear of MSACâs Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz!
Arts Directory Webinar
Tuesday, January 12th, 1 p.m.
We have a new and improved Arts Directory on our website! Join us to learn the navigation, functions and possibilities for the directory.
Coffee with Ken: Open Discussion
Tuesday, January 19th, 9 a.m.
Hereâs your chance to get the ear of MSACâs Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz!
Marketing Messaging
Thursday, January 21st, 2 p.m.
Join High Museum of Art Director of Communications Kristie Swink Benson, APR for a candid conversation about marketing.
Coffee with Ken: Arts in Service - Broadening the Mission
Tuesday, January 26th, 9 a.m.
Join MSACâs Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz and your fellow colleagues across the state on Tuesday mornings with your beverage!
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CALLING MASTER ART EDUCATORS AND TEACHING ARTISTS! |
Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms (MC3) seeks artists to join their 2021 roster and facilitate professional development for arts educators. Contemporary and culturally-based art forms are encouraged to apply!
MC3 is presented in partnership with Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance.
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SEYMOUR VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE BOOSTS VISIBILITY FOR GARRETT COUNTY ARTISTS |
The Garrett County Arts Council (GCAC) in Partnership with Simon Pierce transitioned the successful SEYMOUR Art Event into a virtual marketplace that highlights local artists and their works for sale. The site substituted for an in-person event that would have taken place during the county's 2020 Autumn Glory Festival, and GCAC repurposed the site to boost holiday sales for local artists. To connect with your county arts agency, visit msac.org/meet-your-county-arts-agency.
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Artist Highlight: Jay Armsworthy (St. Mary's County)
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Heritage Award winner Jay Armsworthy.
Photo by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.
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Jay Armsworthy has spent his life playing, promoting, and spreading the word about bluegrass music in his home region of southern Maryland. He keeps the flame of hard-driving traditional bluegrass bright with his band, Eastern Tradition, as well as his cousin, Woody Norris, with whom he performs in the duo Cousins in Harmony. He has worked tirelessly as the organizer of annual bluegrass events throughout the region, including a longstanding winter concert series at American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville, Charles County. Those who arenât from southern Maryland can hear Jay on his Bluegrass on the Bay radio program, which he produces from his home for broadcast throughout the Mid-Atlantic. As with so many great artists, Jay has a day job â school bus driver â but his heart and soul are devoted to the bluegrass tradition.
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Current MSAC Funding Opportunities |
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Arts in Education Grant: The Arts in Education Grant provides matching funds of up to $5,000 to eligible Maryland-based nonprofit organizations and government entities to support educational engagements led by Teaching Artists on MSACâs Teaching Artist Roster. MSAC accepts Arts in Education Grant applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications monthly.
Creativity Grant: The Creativity Grant Program aims to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations, in order to maintain a strong arts infrastructure in the state. The program also provides opportunities to serve the growing needs of relevant arts projects and collaborations within Maryland communities. MSAC accepts Creativity Grant applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications monthly.
Folklife Apprenticeship: Folklife Apprenticeship grants fund the teaching of skills from a master to a learner artist in traditional arts, or community-based living cultural traditions handed down by example or word of mouth. During the study period, a master artist passes down her or his knowledge to a learner in an effort to support the vitality of traditional arts in Maryland. Grants are $5,000 each, with $4,000 disbursed to the master artist and $1,000 to the learner. Visit the Folklife Apprenticeship page for more information.
Network Technical Assistance: Network Technical Assistance Grants support organizational development activities beyond the scope of regular activities funded by Arts & Entertainment District Operating Support, County Arts Development, or Folklife Network grants. Grants are between $500 and $2,000 and are offered on a rolling basis. Visit the Arts & Entertainment District, County Arts Development, or Folklife Network pages for more information.
Professional Development Grant: The Professional Development Grant encourages and supports relevant professional development opportunities for artists and arts organizations throughout Maryland. MSAC accepts Professional Development Grant applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications monthly.
Special Request Grants: Special Request Grants support needs of arts organizations and programs that fall outside of the eligibility of MSACâs established grant programs. MSAC accepts Special Request Grant applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications monthly or bi-monthly, depending upon the requested amount.
Roster Opportunities for Artists
Arts in Education Teaching Artist Roster: The Teaching Artist Roster supports teaching artists and the elevation of their careers by providing funding to Maryland schools and community groups to book Teaching Roster Artists, fostering connections to statewide networks, providing individualized feedback to strengthen artistsâ programming, and heightening visibility through print and online marketing. MSAC accepts Teaching Artist Roster applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications monthly.
Performing Artist Touring Roster: The Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster is a list of juried, Maryland-based artists who have a demonstrated history of successful, professional touring engagements. Coupled with the Maryland Touring Grant, the Program is designed to promote the artistic collaboration between Maryland touring artists and Maryland presenting organizations to increase opportunities for professional performing artists to obtain successful touring engagements. MSAC accepts Performing Artist Touring Roster applications on a rolling basis and reviews applications quarterly.
Questions? Contact the MSAC staff person for the program youâre interested in learning more about.
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To stay connected, please join the
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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.
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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
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The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible! |
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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.
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You may text WCAC to 22828 on your mobile device
to join our mailing list or
click the button below - Thank you!
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