Updates from the Maryland State Arts Council!
Over the past several months, it has been heartening to reconnect in person with friends, family, and many folks throughout Maryland’s arts sector. These gatherings and meetings (sometimes masked, sometimes not, depending on the current guidance and individual risk tolerance) remind me of the power of connection and gathering. I am looking forward to our first in-person council meeting in more than two years next Tuesday (click here for MSAC’s Meeting Notices page), and a summer filled with more reconnections and joy. Click here to visit MSAC’s Arts Calendar for a listing of all the latest festivals, concerts, and arts events abound in Maryland. I hope to see you out and about as we gather safely!

As many of us are absorbed in the delight of in-person gatherings, I’m doing my best to pause to reflect on lessons learned over the past two-plus years and bring them forward in my work and life. Some of the lessons I’m taking with me are: we can do things that we once thought impossible; inequities abound - we must advocate for what’s right; being kinder to ourselves allows us to show up more impactfully for others; slowing down can be productive; and there are incredible people that sacrifice daily to support our health and well being who need to be acknowledged and uplifted. What are your lessons learned?

All my best,

Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director

MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES
ARTS IN EDUCATION

Join us for a FREE and exciting MD Arts Summit pre-conference session that focuses on Creative Aging Arts Programming. Creative aging is “the practice of engaging older adults (55+) in participatory, professionally run arts programs focusing on social engagement and skills mastery.” Come together with older adult-serving organizations, teaching artists, arts organizations, and funders to explore and share opportunities to support and grow the creative aging field in Maryland communities. Learn how funding opportunities for creative aging experiences are available through the MSAC's Arts in Education Grant program.

The Creative Aging pre-conference is free and will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 8, from 1 - 3 p.m., but requires registration in advance. Click here to register!

CREATIVITY GRANTS

Congratulations to this month's grantees! Click here for a full list.

Available to both Independent Artists and Arts Organizations, Creativity Grants provide project-based support to artists and organizations and general operating support to organizations only. The application focuses primarily on community engagement and impact. Click here for further details and the full program guidelines.

EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

Emergency Grants are available! The purpose of the Emergency Grant program is to support the needs of independent artists as they adjust to income losses as the result of an emergency situation (including, but not limited to, the ongoing impact of the pandemic). This Emergency Grant program is accepted on a rolling basis with a monthly review process. Grants are available for up to $2,000. Click here for further details and the full program guidelines.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

Common Ground on the Hill, a regional folklife center in Carroll County, is celebrating its twenty-eighth year with Traditions Weeks, a traditional arts and culture programming and education series. The first two weeks, June 27- July 8, are virtual, and the third week, July 10-15, is in-person on McDaniel College campus in Westminster. Participants can mix and match classes across all three weeks to learn from tradition bearers from around the world in music, dance, visual and wearable art, literary arts, film, and many other genres. Traditions Weeks also features evening lectures and concerts. To learn more, visit CommonGroundOnTheHill.org.

MARYLAND TOURING GRANTS & TOURING ROSTER

Touring Grants support the presentation of an artist or ensemble from the Maryland Touring Roster at your organization’s location or venue. Grants are available for up to $5,000; applications may include more than one Touring Roster artist/ensemble for multiple performances/events. Click here for further details and the full program guidelines.

Performing artists from across the state are invited to apply to join the Maryland Touring Roster! Those included on the Touring Roster are available to “take their show on the road” and perform throughout Maryland. If accepted onto the Touring Roster, organizations/venues are then able to apply for a Touring Grant to support bringing you to their location/venue. Click here for further details and the full program guidelines.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

June 1 starts Hurricane Season - is your organization prepared? Consider reviewing your readiness plan for severe weather as we enter the summer season. For further resources, check out the following:

Maryland Department of Emergency Management

ArtsReady

National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response

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 [email protected].