I’ve had the privilege of spending quite a bit of time in our State’s capital over the past several weeks, and I’m humbled by the understanding our elected officials have of the power and importance of the arts. At Maryland Arts Day 2024, this was on full display when Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Senate President Bill Ferguson, House Speaker Pro Tempore Dana Stein, Senator Sarah Elfreth, and our own Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson greeted a crowd of about 350 arts advocates to affirm their support for the arts. I hear similar sentiments from budget and bill hearings as well as conversations in hallways throughout Annapolis. 

Once again, in a FY 2024 report issued last month by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Maryland ranks third in the nation in per capita public funding for the arts. Click here to read more about state rankings, click here to learn more about Maryland Citizens for the Arts who work tirelessly to ensure public funding for the arts remains strong in our state, and click here for a video produced for MSAC by Wide Angle Youth Media highlighting MSAC’s investments in the arts.

Speaking of Comptroller Lierman, she is hosting MSAC’s newest exhibition in the historic Goldstein Treasury Building in Annapolis through June 7th as part of her Art in Treasured Spaces initiative. If you’re in the area, check out "Maryland Muse: A Tapestry of Inspiration'' showcasing 54 pieces submitted by artists from all 24 jurisdictions who participated in MSAC’s year-long online exhibition series of work by Maryland artists, as well as 10 selected photographs highlighting our Maryland Traditions program. Click here to learn more about Maryland Muse and click here to learn more about the Comptroller’s art initiative. 

Wishing you an artful beginning to spring. 

Steven Skerritt-Davis

Executive Director

MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES

ARTS CAPITAL

Upcoming professional development sessions

In correlation with the launch of the Arts Capital grant program, MSAC is offering a professional development webinar series. Capital Project Strategies for the Arts is designed for non-profit administrators and employees working in the arts and cultural sector. Over the course of four workshops, held bi-weekly on Wednesdays, from March 20 to May 1, attendees will meet and learn from a group of subject matter experts with cross-sector experience and a stated interest in helping non-profit and mission-driven clients accomplish successful capital projects. 

Although presented as a series, the individual webinars are not sequential. Each webinar will be a stand-alone session. Attendees must register for each session individually. You can learn more about each workshop and register to participate through MSAC’s Eventbrite by clicking here.

ARTS IN EDUCATION

Poetry Out Loud state competition

Nine high school students will compete for the title of Poetry Out Loud Maryland State Champion at the Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore City on Saturday, March 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Click here to RSVP and support our students!

CREATIVITY, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY, AND TOURING

Fiscal year application closing next month

The Creativity, Professional Development Opportunity and Touring grant programs are accepting applications for FY 2024 funding. To be considered for these grants, submit your applications by Tuesday, April 30.

All three programs will begin accepting applications for FY 2025 funding in summer.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

March film festival screenings

Seven Maryland Traditions films will be screened as official selections in three film festivals across the state this month, raising the profile of the featured artists with local audiences.

On Friday, March 8, and Sunday, March 10, the Ocean City Film Festival will screen “Baltimore Screen Painting Folklife Apprenticeship” and “Heritage Award: Waterfowl Festival” as part of Old Line Cinema Showcases.

On Saturday, March 9, the Maryland Black Film Festival will screen “Sharecropper-style Quilting Folklife Apprenticeship,” “African-American Community Quilting Folklife Apprenticeship,” “Black Storytelling Folklife Apprenticeship,” and “Heritage Award: Shelley Ensor” as part of a documentary film showcase.

On Saturday, March 16, the Community Stories Film Festival will screen “Bluegrass and Country Vocals Folklife Apprenticeship” during a short film showcase. More information and tickets are available at the links above.

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

Public artwork dedication at Coppin State University

Coppin State University in collaboration with MSAC’s Artwork Commissions program unveiled Community of Stars by artist Nnamdi Okonkwo at the new College of Business on North Avenue in Baltimore City. The bronze sculpture symbolizes the students as stars shining light on the Coppin community, as well as their journey beyond graduation. Okonkwo was selected for the commission through the state’s Percent-for-Art program, whereby a percentage of state building construction budgets are set aside for public art. The program is overseen by the Maryland Public Art Commission and managed by MSAC’s Public Art Across Maryland team. Click here to read our full press release.

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?

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

MSAC NEWS

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Maryland Muse: A Tapestry of Inspiration exhibition open

Join us at Art in Treasured Spaces on the first floor of the Goldstein Treasury Building, 80 Calvert Street, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401 for Maryland Muse: A Tapestry of Inspiration! This show presents a diverse collection of two-dimensional creative works inspired by the unique culture, beauty, and daily lives of Marylanders. The exhibition showcases 64 artworks, including 54 pieces submitted by artists who participated in MSAC’s year-long online exhibition and 10 selected photographs from the Maryland Traditions program. This exhibition will be showing until Friday, June 7 - see the full list of participating artists by clicking here.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

The MSAC online Resource Bulletin is maintained by Maryland Art Place and includes local, regional, and national opportunities, calls for artists, grants, and vendor opportunities. The Resource Bulletin is updated on a weekly basis and is categorized by deadline date.

Do you have something to add? Email Caitlin Gill at [email protected].