{View in browser}

Warmest holiday greetings from the Maryland State Arts Council—may the quality time you spend at the end of this year be filled with good company, reflections on days well spent, and hopefully, plenty of engagement with the arts.

It is truly our pleasure to have worked with all of you through a successful 2024. Our constituents are the reason that coming to work is a joy for us. Your talent and creativity are continuing inspirations, and we look forward to maintaining our relationship with you in the new year.

In this season of gratitude, I’d like to pay particular attention to MSAC’s staff. Behind the work of the artists and organizations ensuring the arts are part of every community’s story, MSAC’s team of dedicated professionals worked every day to offer the kind of support that made Maryland one of the nation’s most arts-vibrant states for the second year in a row in 2024! They are arts administrators par excellence, and it is my privilege to work with them.

_{MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES}

Resources available from Arts in Corrections webinar

On Monday, November 18, arts education managers from Mid-Atlantic state arts agencies hosted the webinar, "Teaching Artist Talks: Arts in Corrections," that highlighted the experience of teaching artists and experts who work in correctional settings. The webinar also provided a national policy perspective on arts education in juvenile justice systems. MSAC's Arts in Education Program Director Lizzie Morales co-led planning for the session. If you missed the webinar or you are interested in learning more, the recording and additional resources from this webinar are available by clicking here.

2024 Recap: Creativity-funded project spotlight

This fiscal year, we've already funded some stellar Creativity Grant projects and provided General Operating Support to organizations from across the state! Here are just a few examples of the inspiring projects and initiatives that enrich communities and foster creativity across our state:

• Mountainside Baroque received funding to support their mission of enriching the cultural environment of Allegany County (and the surrounding area) by presenting a professional chamber music series focusing on music written before 1800. Click here to learn more.
• Vanessa Salgado received support to produce the “Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival" this fall, a free outdoor professional dance performance on Assateague Island that acted as a conduit to connect the local community, environment, and performing arts in one. Click here to learn more.
• Pamela Wilde received funding to support a traveling curated group art show, “Art From the Soldier" that will occur in Havre De Grace Arts Collective @ Gallery 220 and Columbia Center for the Arts. Click here to learn more.

Don't forget that the rolling deadline to apply for FY 2025 project-based support continues through April 2025! If you have a project coming up, we recommend applying as early as possible. 

Explore the Creativity Grant resources, including information on both General Operating Support and Project grant opportunities, by clicking here.

Application period now open

Applications are now being accepted for the Grants for Artists program! Described by past recipients as “an absolute game changer,” this program awards $2,500 grants to randomly selected eligible artists to support living or working expenses. By fostering sustainability and strengthening Maryland's creative workforce, the program helps artists to thrive holistically.

Grantees are selected at random from eligible submissions. Don’t miss this opportunity—apply by Friday, January 17, 2025! Click here to learn more.

Upcoming professional development sessions

MSAC hosts regular virtual and in-person professional development opportunities almost every week. Click here to keep up to date with newly-scheduled sessions.

Accepting applications for Public Art Across Maryland grants

The Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) program application deadline is fast approaching! Be sure to apply by this Thursday, December 19!

Click here for a PAAM overview, click here to watch the recording of a recent "How to Apply" session, and click here to read more about PAAM opportunities.

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?

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

AGENCY RESOURCES

Emergency management resources available

As we move into the Winter months in the Mid-Atlantic, it might be a good time to familiarize yourself with the Emergency Preparedness resources we have available on our website. Review the "Emergency Resources for Artists" and "Emergency Preparedness Resources for Organizations" sections for more information.

RELATED NEWS

Creative Forces Community Engagement program

The National Endowment for the Arts' Creative Forces Community Engagement program, which supports arts programming for military and veteran populations, is accepting applications through Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Click here to learn more and apply.

Folk and Traditional Arts Community Project

The Mid Atlantic Arts is accepting applications for the 2025-26 Folk and Traditional Arts Community Project Grant through Monday, March 10, 2025. Click here to learn more and apply.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

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.

Connect with us at msac.org!