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

MSAC Program Updates

Arts In Education

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.

Creativity Grants

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 [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected] for more information. Apply now!

Emergency Grants

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 [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected] for more information.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis and awarded monthly. Apply now!

Grants For Organizations

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.

Maryland Traditions

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 [email protected] with questions.

Public Art Across Maryland

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!

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!

Click Here to view the Updates From The Maryland State Arts Council - October 2022