The Delaware Division of the Arts has announced the appointment of six new members to the Delaware State Arts Council (DSAC), the 16-member citizen advisory council that provides guidance on arts policy and public investment in Delaware’s arts and culture sector.

The Delaware State Arts Council serves as the advisory body to the Delaware Division of the Arts. The Council provides guidance to the Division Director on matters of arts policy and considers matters referred by state leadership. DSAC members also serve as ambassadors for the arts – promoting participation in and appreciation of the arts throughout Delaware.

Newly appointed members include:

- Itzel Aguilar (Georgetown)

- Esther Hofknecht, MSM-HCA, LEND (Dover)

- Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald (Wilmington)

- Reggie Lynch (Wilmington)

- Nataki Oliver (Wilmington)

- Dr. Malcolm S. Richardson (Wilmington)

Celebrate some of Delaware’s most talented artists at the free opening reception for Award Winners XXVI at the Historic Odessa Foundation on Thursday, September 17, from 6–8 p.m. The traveling exhibition curated by the Biggs Museum of American Art highlights the work of Delaware’s 2026 Individual Artist Fellows, recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts for the exceptional creativity, skill, and artistic achievement demonstrated in their respective disciplines.

Join us for an evening of art and community as we recognize this year’s Fellows and experience the creativity being produced across the First State. Award Winners XXVI will remain on view at the Historic Odessa Foundation through October 25, 2026.

Biggs Museum of American Art

June 4 Awards Ceremony and Opening:

Historic Houses of Odessa

September 1 -

October 25

Reception: Thursday,

September 17 I 6-8pm

CAMP Rehoboth

Community Center

November 4 -

January 8

Reception: Saturday,

November 7 I 2-4pm

Celebrate the voices shaping Delaware’s literary landscape at An Evening with the 2026 Delaware Literary Fellows. Join acclaimed Delaware writers working in fiction, poetry, playwriting, and creative nonfiction for a series of live performances and readings, followed by audience Q&A. Audiences across the state will get an opportunity to hear directly from some of Delaware’s outstanding literary artists.

Friday, September 11, 2026 at 7PM

The Listening Booth in Lewes I Sussex County, Delaware

featuring:

Deborah E. Baker, Fiction

Hadrian Cerulean, Poetry

Jim Hawkins, Playwright

Valerie Lane, Creative Nonfiction

Jon McConnell, Fiction



“The class was a perfect way to have fun with people my own age and make new friends,” wrote one Delaware woman after completing a free eight-week art workshop at her local library. She is one of more than 400 older Delawareans who have taken part in Access Creative Aging since 2022 – and thanks to new national funding secured by the Delaware Division of the Arts, hundreds more are set to follow.

The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) has secured $77,500 through Creative Aging, Creative Futures, a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The program builds upon the success of two previous initiatives: Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging and States Leading Creative Aging. These vital investments have strengthened creative aging issue leadership for state arts agencies, expanded arts opportunities for older adults, and enhanced expertise in creative aging program delivery.

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. POL uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington, DC. More than 100,000 students are expected to take part in POL nationwide each year.

Registration for Delaware high schools begins August 24, 2026.

Deadline to register is October 30, 2026.

The Delaware Division of the Arts offers a variety of grant programs for individual artists; nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations chartered and based in Delaware; and schools and government entities that support arts activities.



Arts Access - Supports small budget projects that include the presentation of performing, visual, literary, media, or folk arts in communities throughout the state. Organizations that receive General Operating Support are generally not eligible to apply. Rolling deadline – submit at least 6 weeks prior to the project start date.

Artist Opportunity - Grants provide up to $1,000 to support individual artists with unique professional and artistic development or presentation opportunities. Next deadline: October 15.

Meet the Fellows

The Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize a variety of disciplines and outstanding quality of work. From writers to visual artists to musicians, these award-winning creatives have unique stories and talents.

Click here to see the full listing of 2026's Individual Artist Fellows.

Kent County Theatre Guild

Run For Your Wife

Dover

General Operating Support

Cancer Support Community Delaware

Making Space for Healing

Statewide

Project Support

Developing Artist Collaboration

West Side Creative Market

Rehoboth Beach

General Operating Support