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Fall is here! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I love this season and the change and newness it brings. The past two months have been filled with arts events - from ribbon cuttings at new art spaces and openings of new performance seasons to public art dedications and releases of new literary works. And in the past few weeks, the trees have put on their annual display, sharing their fleeting beauty and allowing us to reflect, recharge, and be inspired. 

This month’s newsletter is full of news and opportunity. A few things to highlight:

• Panelists - We’re currently looking for panelists to review Grants for Organizations, Public Art Across Maryland, County Arts Development, and Special Request applications as well as Poetry Out Loud judges. To make these opportunities accessible to as many arts community members as possible and maintain a broad diversity of experience within the groups that review MSAC grant applications, panelists receive compensation for their service (see details at the links below). 
• Special Requests - We are opening up for a round of Special Request grants. See below if a project your organization is taking on is eligible for a grant!
• Independent Artist Awards - Due to staffing capacity, the Independent Artist Award (IAA) program is paused again this fiscal year. In September, the Council approved reallocating funding from IAA to our Grants for Artists (GFA) program. Look for GFA applications to open soon, giving artists access to at least $575,000 in funding to support living and working expenses!  
• Strategic Planning - Help MSAC refine our direction for the next several years by participating in strategic planning focus groups this month. See below for times and details. 

Lastly, a warm welcome to our newest team member, Nora Howell! Learn more about Nora below. Want to join Team MSAC? We have an opening for a Fiscal Officer (details below), and look for more opportunities, coming soon!



Steven Skerritt-Davis

Executive Director

Strategic Planning Virtual Roundtables

MSAC needs your help determining how public dollars support artists and arts organizations across Maryland for the next several years. We invite you - Maryland artists and representatives of arts organizations - to participate in upcoming virtual roundtables with our consultants, AMS Planning & Research, to share needs, give feedback, and help to determine how MSAC’s future success should be measured.

Each roundtable will focus on a distinct section of MSAC’s constituency. Participants may attend any focus group that applies to them. Click here to learn more.

Poetry Out Loud

Registration to participate in Maryland's 2024 Poetry Out Loud Competitions is open through Nov. 15. Click here to learn more about the program and how to participate.

Teaching Artist Roster Applications Open

Applications to join the Teaching Artist Roster are open through Dec. 1. Click here to learn more about the application process and benefits of joining.

Joanne Margolius (right) of Magical Experiences Arts Company leads a performance with students at William S. Baer School (Baltimore City).

Posters for Maryland Traditions short documentaries to be screened at the DC South Asian Film Festival.

Public Art Across Maryland Applications Open

Applications to the Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) program's New Artworks, Conservation, and Planning programs are open through Jan. 24, the only deadline for this fiscal year. Click here to learn more.

Public Artist Roster Available Now

The Public Artist Roster, a vetted directory of artists interested in Artwork Commission projects in Maryland, is live now. Click here to learn more, and to view and search the 435 artists included in the roster.

Public Art Listserv

Artists and administrators involved in public art in Maryland are welcome to join MSAC's Public Art listserv for opportunity sharing and networking. To subscribe, contact Public Art Project Manager Nora Howell at [email protected].

Public Art Across Maryland Office Hours

Join the Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) team Nov. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. for office hours, where participants can ask questions and get feedback on their project ideas. Click here to register.

Teaching Artist Office Hours

Join the Arts in Education (AiE) team Nov. 14 from 4 to 5 p.m. for office hours, an informal, virtual space for teaching artists to ask questions about the AiE program. Office hours take place at the same time on the second Tuesday of the month. Click here to register.

Regional Office Hours: Capital Region

Join the MSAC team for regional office hours at the Betty Mae Kramer Gallery in Silver Spring on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Staff will be on hand to speak with anyone who has questions about MSAC grants or other resources. Click here to register.

Special Request Applications Being Accepted

The Special Request program, which funds Maryland arts organizations undertaking innovative projects, pilot projects, or capacity-building efforts that fall outside their regular budgets, is accepting applications now. Click here to learn more and apply.

Independent Artist Award Paused This Year

Following an extensive revision process over the past year, the Independent Artist Award program will remain paused in FY24 as the MSAC team evaluates staff capacity and mission alignment. Click here to learn more.

Artists seeking a full list of MSAC opportunities, including links to grant guidelines and staff contact information, may click here.

MSAC NEWS

Fiscal Officer

MSAC is currently hiring for the position of fiscal officer. Applications are due no later than Nov. 14. Click here to learn more and apply.

Public Art Project Manager Announced

We are happy to announce the hiring of Nora Howell as Public Art Project Manager! Nora joined the MSAC team in October. She was formerly the program director of Jubilee Arts (Baltimore City), as well as co-founder of the Art@Work mural program. Nora will work on Public Art Across Maryland grant programs and Artwork Commissions projects. Welcome, Nora!

Public Art Across Maryland: Call for Panelists

Applications to serve as Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) panelists are being accepted through Nov. 3. Selected panelists will review applications to PAAM's New Artworks and Conservation grant programs. Click here for more information.

Grants for Organizations: Call for Panelists (Deadline Extended)

The deadline to submit a panelist application for the FY25 Grants for Organizations program has been extended through Nov. 7. Click here for more information.

Poetry Out Loud: Call for Judges

Applications to serve as Poetry Out Loud judges are being accepted through Nov. 10. Selected judges will evaluate poetry recitations performed by high school students during regional and state competitions. Click here for more information.

County Arts Development: Call for Panelists

Applications to serve as County Arts Development (CAD) panelists are being accepted through Nov. 15. Selected panelists will review applications to the CAD program, which supports county arts agencies. Click here for more information.

Special Request: Call for Panelists

Applications to serve as Special Request panelists are being accepted through Nov. 20. Selected panelists will review applications to the Special Request program. Click here for more information.

SmartSimple Outage

SmartSimple, MSAC's online grants management platform, could experience a 15-minute maintenance outage Thursday, Nov. 9, sometime between 10:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Please plan accordingly.

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?

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

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 [email protected].

Connect with us at msac.org!