The term social distancing is a new and necessary part of our COVID-19 vocabulary. The concept keeps us safe but also keeps us apart. It has forced us to find new ways to engage with each other—to find ways to remain social but from a distance. The arts were made for this. Consider that while in a museum hopefully the art touches your heart, your soul, and your mind—you look but never physically touch. Music and performance art resonate physically though you only watch and listen. You may never share space with a poet or a writer, but you may share a deep and lasting connection with their words.
With the closure of places like art galleries, theaters, and even street theater in a time of social distancing—we still have opportunities to continue to share and be touched through cultural initiatives like BOPA's #IAmBaltimoreArt featuring the work of Baltimore-based artists. As they share their work and words about their art, the initiative becomes a series of profound touches and a way to circumvent the confines of social distancing without risking our health. Learn more about #IAmBaltimoreArt and other cultural and community touches in this week’s BOPA newsletter.
Be well and stay safe and engaged—even from a distance.
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Donna Drew Sawyer
CEO, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts
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#I
Am
Baltimore
Art
Highlighted Artists
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Brandon Kanion
#NoteToSelf
"Being a Child of God, and being Gifted to be a Creator/Artist, it is important to do just that CREATE. It is my responsibility to bring forth Life and Beauty as a direct response to the Destruction and Decay of a Damaged World. Art is a tongue, and because I belong to The ALL POWERFUL, and He lives in me, I believe that Life and Death lyes in the Power of what I put forth through creation."
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Nina Hues
Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Writer
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"My art is necessary for me to exist in a world where my life isn't always valued. As a black woman in America, my voice is often unheard and not respected, so my creativity allows people to hear my story with flavor. Staying creative gives me an opportunity to stay mentally, spiritually, and emotionally healthy because I am making a way for my own existence in life. Art is more than just pretty words and colorful images, it is my sanctuary."
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We are proud to be part of a community of artists and makers who share their passion in response to the recent closures of art galleries, dance studios, restaurants, and other creative spaces.
Join our
#IAmBaltimoreArt
hashtag and we'll feature one artist per week in the BOPA newsletter and on social media.
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Census 2020: I'm Creative & I Count
Artists Live on Instagram
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As Baltimore’s Arts Council, we are committed to focusing on the importance of having a complete Census count of our creative community.
Through the promotional campaign
"I'm Creative & I Count"
BOPA
is collaborating with Baltimore-based artists to present a series of
live performances on Instagram
that showcase our great Baltimore talent and also highlight the impact of the Census on the city's entire creative community.
The live performances happen weekly on
Wednesdays at 1pm,
leading up to "I'm Creative & I Count" Social Media Week starting June 1, with three performances that week. Watch live on our
Instagram.
Upcoming Artists
May 20 -
Scott Paynter, musician
May 27 -
Erin Savage, visual artist
June 10 -
Angel Mooring, musician
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Bria Price
(
@briacprice
) is a gifted writer, poet, author, and creator from Baltimore. Her passion for poetry, storytelling, teaching, and artistry are inspired with love, individuality, expression, style, and grace. Her mission is to build a space where others can express themselves creatively.
Bria's Instagram Live session was a Build-a-Book workshop. Tune into our Instagram Live each Wednesday to hear and learn from Baltimore's creative community.
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Make sure to also look for your Census invitations in the mail at home.
Participation is easy
and
responses can be submitted online, by mailed paper form or by calling the Census Bureau
.
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Community Arts Grant
Applications Now Open
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Applications for the
2020 Community Arts Grant
are available online. The Community Arts Grant awards
funding of up to $15,000
to Baltimore City artists and neighborhoods who work together to creatively re-imagine and enliven public spaces through new, exterior wall mural art projects. The artist-neighborhood collaborative projects must be free and open to the public and exist in outdoor, publicly accessible space.
The Community Arts Grant is administered by
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA)
with the generous support of the
Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development
,
Maryland State Arts Council
, and
Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young, City of Baltimore
.
The
application deadline
is
Monday,
May 25, 2020
and applications are available
here
.
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Grit Fund Emergency Recovery Grants
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With the partnership and support of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Grit Fund is offering
Emergency Recovery Grants
(ERG)
ranging from $500-$1,000 to Baltimore based artists who applied to the 2020 Grit Fund, Grit Fund Alumni, and artists whose income and opportunities have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Applications close on Friday, May 15.
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Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA)
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TAMA is using its networks to support Teaching Artists as they experience the impact of COVID-19.
Click here
for a list of their resources and events.
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Downtown Download
Tuesday, May 19, 9AM
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Join
Downtown Partnership
for updates from Delegate Brooke Lierman who represents the 46th District and State Senator Antonio Hayes who represents the 40th District.
Together they bring an incredible amount of insight on how Baltimore City and the State of Maryland are preparing for recovery.
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The Beautiful Journey: The Lens of Devin Allen
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Women and Nature: A Virtual Exhibition
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From left: Special invited artist, First Lady of Maryland Yumi Hogan; Anna Fine Foer (Baltimore City)
@afineartiste
, annafineart.com 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘢. Collage, hand-coloring. 24”h x 35”w, 1998
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Virtual Experiences in Visual & Performing Arts
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The Maryland Office of Tourism has compiled a
resource list
of virtual experiences in Visual & Performing Arts.
Maryland’s many cultural institutions, organizations and groups are well-known for their creative vision. Now, these visionaries have moved on-line to bring visual and performing arts into your home. Below you will find examples of programs you and your family may find exciting, comforting, thought-provoking, fun or downright quirky. Most are free; some require registration.
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M:BRACE
Intersections of Art & Wellness
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M:BRACE
is a FREE professional development series for Maryland’s creative education force: Arts Educators, Arts Integration Teachers, and Teaching Artists.
Expert facilitators will examine the intersections of art and wellness by exploring creative practices to keep us open, curious and reflective during COVID-19.
Thursday, May 14
Inhale Peace, Exhale Love
10 - 11 AM
Explore mindfulness: deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you.
Register Here
.
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Virtual Baltimore Jewish Film Festival
May 16 - June 10
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The
32nd Annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival
is now VIRTUAL! Join online from May 16 – June 10 for this diverse selection of dynamic, inspiring and meaningful films from around the world, examining Jewish history, heritage, and culture.
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Baltimore on the Screen
Charm City Kings on HBO Max
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Charm City Kings
; Courtesy of HBO Max
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Charm City Kings,
a new film which had its
world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival
in January, was shot entirely on location in Baltimore City. The film has now been picked up for release by HBO Max for later this year.
Charm City Kings
, directed by Angel Manuel Soto, is a coming of age story about a 14-year old named Mouse (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) who is torn between joining the Midnight Clique dirt bike riders or following his dream of becoming a veterinarian.
The film was shot on location in Baltimore in 2018. Barry Jenkins, Oscar-winning writer and director of Moonlight, served as one of the writers for
Charm City Kings
.
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Thank You to the Heroes
First Responders & Essential Workers
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The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts thanks our first responders and essential workers for their incredible work at the frontlines of this crisis. We are grateful for all that you do each day.
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While we actively engage in social distancing at home, make sure to keep virtually in touch with BOPA! Follow us
@promoandarts
for your dose of #ArtonInstagram, to receive local arts resources, and to learn about how Baltimore's creative community is keeping the arts thriving remotely.
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BOPA is proud to serve as your arts council, event center, and film office. As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, we are committed to ensuring Baltimore remains a vibrant, thriving arts community. We cannot do it without the support of our community – philanthropic funders, program partners, artists, volunteers, and you!
Please support BOPA to keep the arts thriving in Baltimore. Click the donate button below and follow the instructions. Thank you!
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