AUGUST
2021
NEWS
ACCESSIBILITY LISTENING SESSION ON AUGUST 5th
MSAC will host a Listening Session on August 5th to hear constituent thoughts about what professional development needs are regarding accessibility. We'll be asking the questions like:
  • What assistance/guidance does your organization need to best formulate future inclusive plans to serve persons with disabilities? 
  • What learning environment can best assist you as you move forward in increasing accessibility in your art?
From this feedback, MSAC will curate a virtual learning series for the fall and winter.
  • To register for the listening session, please click here.  
  • To provide written feedback, please complete this form by clicking here. 
NEA OFFERS RELIEF FUNDS TO HELP ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR RECOVER FROM PANDEMIC
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is accepting applications from arts and culture organizations for American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The NEA encourages first-time applicants, and has many resources available for those new to federal funding. The first deadline is August 12th. Learn more by clicking here. 
Leonardtown artist Eric Jackson
LEONARDTOWN PREMIERES NEW MONTHLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
As the only Arts & Entertainment District in Southern Maryland, Leonardtown offers a rich experience in culture. Visitors can explore art galleries, see shows, take group or one-on-one art classes, and enjoy outdoor concerts and special events. All this and more will be explored in Leonardtown’s new monthly virtual show, Leonardtown & Artist Spotlight, the series.

In this exciting new show, brought to you by the Commissioners of Leonardtown, the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and the Leonardtown Business Association, you will get to see a rare, personal glimpse into an artist's world featuring: Special art exhibits and events, spotlights on talented local artists, viewings and stories about artist's work, virtual tours of artist's studios, art shares (learn about the inspiration and experiences that color their work), and more! Click here to view!
Top, Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons;
below, Senior Program Director Chad Buterbaugh.
SAME STAFF, DIFFERENT ROLES AT MARYLAND TRADITIONS
Maryland Traditions staff are taking on new duties!

Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons will be taking over direction of the Folklife Apprenticeship grant and the Heritage Awards, in addition to overseeing the Maryland Traditions Archives and administering Maryland Traditions media.

In his new role as Senior Program Director, Chad will retain oversight of the Maryland Traditions program and direct administration of the Folklife Network program, among other duties.

Please direct any questions to the respective director at ryan.koons@maryland.gov or chad.buterbaugh@maryland.gov.
ARE YOU ARTS READY?
As summer continues, it's not too late to create your arts organization's business continuity plan, because the unexpected, won't-happen-to-me, I-don't-want-to-think-about-it actually does happen.
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A readiness plan is a combination of documents, processes, policies, and trainings/drills to build your organization’s sustainability and resilience.

For guides, resources and toolkits, visit artsready.org!
OPPORTUNITIES
Free professional development sessions that are open to the public.
Click each session below to learn more and register!
The MSAC Online Resource Bulletin, maintained by Maryland Art Place, includes regional, national, and international exhibition opportunities, grants, fellowships, residencies, and information on available studio spaces in the area. To add to the list, email Caitlin Gill at caitlin@mdartplace.org.
Allegany Arts Council

Baltimore City

Charles County

Worcester County Arts Council
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
MARQUIS "MIGHTY MARK" GASQUE
Anne Arundel County
Marquis “Mighty Mark” Gasque (right) teaches learner artist Torian Sanders (left) how to produce Baltimore Club music during a 2020-2021 Folklife Apprenticeship. Photo by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.
Master artist, arts advocate, and DJ Marquis “Mighty Mark” Gasque is a pioneer and innovator in the dance music genre Bmore Club. In 2020-2021, Gasque taught Bmore Club to learner artist Torian Sanders in a Folklife Apprenticeship.

Gasque said, "I am so proud to be a recipient of the Folklife Apprenticeship Grant, this will allow me to pass down the heritage of Bmore Club production to the newer generation by having a direct apprentice that I can teach." In 2020, Gasque became treasurer of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for The Arts, the first non-lawyer to join the organization’s board. The position allows him to help advocate for his fellow creatives on legal issues and representation.

You can catch Gasque on the 2020 Netflix documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat, and through his website mightymarkadventures.com.
CURRENT MSAC OPPORTUNITIES
FUNDING

Arts in Education Grants provide matching funds of up to $5,000 to eligible Maryland-based nonprofit organizations and government entities to support educational engagements led by Teaching Artists on MSAC’s Teaching Artist Roster.
Deadline: Monthly on the 5th

Creativity Grants aim to strengthen the vitality and sustainability of artists and small organizations, in order to maintain a strong arts infrastructure in the state.
Deadline: Rolling
 
Maryland Touring Grants provide funding to eligible Maryland-based non-profit organizations to support the presentation of artists listed on the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster.
Deadline: Rolling

Network Organizational Development Grants (formerly known as the Network Technical Assistance Grant) are open to designated Arts & Entertainment District management entities and grantees of the County Arts Development and Folklife Network programs. Funds support organizational development, defined as any effort supporting the stability, visibility, and effectiveness of an organization beyond regularly funded activities.
Deadline: Rolling

The Public Art Across Maryland Program supports Planning and Project Grants for New Artworks and Conservation of public art.
Deadlines: August, 20, 2021, November 20, 2021, February 18, 2022, May 12, 2022

Professional Development Grants encourage and support relevant professional development opportunities for artists and arts organizations throughout Maryland.
Deadline: Rolling
 
Special Request Grants support needs of arts organizations and programs that fall outside of the eligibility of MSAC’s established grant programs.
Deadline: Rolling

ROSTER

The Arts in Education Teaching Artist Roster supports teaching artists and the elevation of their careers by providing funding to Maryland schools and community groups to book Teaching Roster Artists, fostering connections to statewide networks, providing individualized feedback to strengthen artists’ programming, and heightening visibility through print and online marketing.
Deadline: September 1st

The Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster is a list of juried, Maryland-based artists who have a demonstrated history of successful, professional touring engagements. Coupled with the Maryland Touring Grant, the Program is designed to promote the artistic collaboration between Maryland touring artists and Maryland presenting organizations to increase opportunities for professional performing artists to obtain successful touring engagements.
Deadline: Rolling

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. 
Questions? Contact the MSAC staff person for the program you’re interested in learning more about.