In this month’s newsletter, our team shares highlights from MSAC’s 2024 fiscal year as we wrap up awards and payments and prepare to open new grant program cycles for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Overall, our highest general funds appropriation to date meant that we were able to support a record number of organizations, continue to expand our service to artists, and make new connections throughout the state. Read more below. Beginning this month, keep an eye on your inbox and our Eventbrite page and join us for upcoming information sessions covering changes to grant programs coming in FY 2025, and tips for applying. Click here to see a listing of upcoming sessions. | |
|
Also this month is the Maryland Arts Summit hosted by Maryland Citizens for the Arts at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on June 20 and 21. Click here for more information and to register by June 14. There is a ton of thought-provoking content and the opportunity to be in community that aims to move the arts sector forward together. Our team will be there to provide individual consultations during office hours, and we will relaunch Coffee with the Council to engage in live conversation over breakfast on Friday, June 21. I hope to see you there!
Steven Skerritt-Davis
Executive Director
| |
|
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS | |
Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company performing at Bromo Art Walk (Baltimore City). | |
|
Maryland's 29 Arts and Entertainment (A&E) districts are unique destinations that attract audiences, artists and creative enterprises to neighborhoods across the state. Each district reflects its community's unique traditions and evolving culture, offering residents and visitors the best of Maryland's art scene. Click here to learn more.
This year, districts received $464,000 in general operating support. These funds help districts develop and promote community involvement, tourism, and revitalization through tax-related incentives. In FY 2023, A&E districts provided $36.1 million in employee compensation by creating 943 jobs across the state. In addition, districts drew in 2.1 million attendees to their events and generated $111.1 million in economic output. .
| |
|
As the first grant cycle of the Arts Capital grant program comes to a close, 14 organizations have been recommended to receive a total of $3 million for permanent infrastructure projects that will make arts and cultural programming and experiences more accessible to the public.
As we prepare for the opening of the FY 2025 grant cycle, we have implemented changes to the program that will provide improved guidance around eligibility and simplify the application process. The FY 2025 grant cycle will be open from mid-June to mid-August. Click here to register for a virtual information session on Friday, June 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. to learn more about program changes and insight for applying. The session will be recorded and made available on YouTube afterward.
| |
Since the start of FY 2024, the Arts in Education (AiE) program has awarded 200 grants that support teaching artists leading residencies, workshops, performances, and other arts learning programs throughout the state. While much of the programming took place in schools, these grants also supported programs in community centers, senior centers, libraries, detention centers, and nonprofit organizations in 18 counties across the state. In addition, 30 new artists were added to the Teaching Artist Roster. Click here to view the full list of FY 2024 AiE grantees! | |
Artist Kathy MacMillan presenting at Rock Creek Forest Elementary School (Montgomery County). | |
Maryland's county arts agencies are government offices and nonprofit organizations that support local arts activities in the state’s 24 jurisdictions. MSAC provides funding and technical assistance to help these agencies achieve their community goals. In FY 2024, county arts agencies received $5 million in general operating support that allowed them to provide grants to artists and organizations in their jurisdictions and offer arts programming, helping MSAC ensure access to the arts for all! Click here to find your county arts agency. | |
|
In FY 2024, Creativity grants totalling over $900,000 supported a diverse array of organizations and projects, representing 20 of 24 counties in Maryland. From project support for artist Carien Quiroga to create a knitting program for incarcerated women at Howard County Detention Center to providing general operating support for Yellow Arrow Publishing, a literary organization that supports and inspires writers who identify as women. Click here to view the full list of FY 2024 grantees (through the April review period).
With over 1,200 applications received, the Creativity grant program continues to break records as one of MSAC's most popular grant offerings! We're excited to announce new updates and features when it reopens on July 1. Our "How to Apply" information sessions will help Maryland artists and arts organizations navigate applying to the application process in FY 2025. Click here to register for the upcoming sessions. Keep an eye on the website for further information!
| |
In its second year, Grants for Artists continued to be a highly popular program. We were pleased to support the working and living expenses of 220 artists located across Maryland. Click here to learn more about the program. | |
The Grants for Organizations (GFO) program has grown substantially over the past few years. This year, we welcomed 23 new organizations into the program, bringing the total to 291 grantees! These organizations received $18 million in general operating support. We're proud to support the ever-growing artistic communities across the state, from the Cumberland Theatre in Western Maryland to the Waterfowl Festival on the Eastern Shore. | |
Apprentice artist Michael Ronchon Jr. (right; Montgomery County) asks a question of master artist Yara Cordeiro (left, Montgomery County) during a 2023-2024 Folklife Apprenticeship on Afro-Brazilian capoeira. | |
Across FY 2024, Maryland Traditions dispersed $775,000 in traditional arts funding through the Folklife Apprenticeship, Heritage Awards, and Folklife Network programs. This funding supported more than 40 traditional artists and arts organizations. In addition, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Maryland Traditions Archives with a free, public webinar discussing the role archives play in connecting people with their history and cultural traditions. Click here to view the recording on YouTube. | |
The Presenting and Touring program has seen significant growth this year as touring opportunities continue to return after the pandemic. By May, we welcomed 25 new performing artists to our Touring Roster. Additionally, 39 presenters received Touring Grants in FY 2024, supporting 36 performing artists across 15 counties. We also hosted our second annual Touring Roster Showcase, featuring performances from 20 roster artists. To learn more, click here to register for our upcoming "How to Apply" information session on June 18th at noon. | |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS | Our team has loved being in touch you with this year. We've hosted virtual and in-person professional development events almost every week in FY 2024 and look forward to seeing more of you this summer! MSAC offers regular virtual and in-person professional development opportunities. Click here to learn more and register for other upcoming events. | |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY | The Professional Development Opportunity grant program continues to grow in demand, with nearly 400 applications received in FY 2024. Funding supported a wide variety of learning opportunities for 79 independent artists and arts organizations through April. While the program is temporarily closed as we prepare for the FY 2025 grant cycle starting in July, we encourage you to consider applying for professional development opportunities for yourself or your organization in the new fiscal year. Click here to join us for our "How to Apply" Information Session on June 17th from noon to 1pm. | |
In FY 2024, the Public Art team was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with many local artists to bring captivating art to public spaces across the state. We are thrilled to announce the awarding of 36 public art grants and the completion of four public art commissions for state buildings. One of the many highlights of our state's growing public art collection is Wesley Clark's "A Land is Known," recently installed in the new Catonsville District State Courthouse (pictured)! We are eager to continue expanding Maryland's public art collection with you in the upcoming year! | |
|
The Special Request grant program has funded exciting projects and capacity building activities for arts organizations from Garrett County to Baltimore City. Click here to learn more about the Special Request grant and its recent recipients. | |
|
Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?
Contact the MSAC staff person for the program you’re interested in learning more about.
| |
|
We're excited to welcome our newest Councilor, Marva Jo Camp! Representing Prince George’s County, Marva Jo was a green bag appointee of Governor Moore this legislative session. She is an attorney in private practice specializing in: governmental relations; real estate transactions and land use; not-for-profit governance; small, minority, and women-owned business; governmental agencies; and trade associations. Marva Jo also serves as Vice Chair on the board of Maryland Citizens for the Arts. Welcome Marva Jo! Click here to read Marva Jo's full bio on our website.
| |
Arts, culture, and historic preservation nonprofits, take note: your organization might be eligible for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Community Investment Tax Credits program, which awards allocations of tax credits to incentivize contributions from individuals and businesses. Click here to read more and apply no later than June 26. | |
|
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 caitlin@mdartplace.org.
| |
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. | | | | |
