Congratulations to Lady Brion, Maryland’s 11th Poet Laureate! In a small ceremony hosted by The Clifton House in Baltimore on September 16, our First Lady, Dawn Moore, presented the appointment citation, making it official. Held in the family home of Maryland’s 3rd Poet Laureate Lucille Clifton and attended by three of her children - Gillian, Alexia, and Graham - the ceremony lifted up the legacy of Maryland's first Black woman Poet Laureate as the torch was passed to its next. Mrs. Moore captured our sentiment perfectly that day, saying to Lady Brion, “You inspire people everywhere to be loud and proud in their authenticity. You remind us that truth-telling should never be silenced – even when the truth hurts. And as Maryland Poet Laureate, you will be the voice that represents the 6.3 million Marylanders who call this great state home.” See pictures from the event below. Click here for more about the Poet Laureate post and Lady Brion.

Hot off the presses is our fiscal year 2024 annual report, which gives a snapshot of the $32.5 million that MSAC invested in Maryland’s arts sector through 16 grant programs. This record amount of regular funding – $4.96 for every Marylander – included the first round of Arts Capital funding and touched all parts of the state. Click here to read the full report. 

Steven Skerritt-Davis

Executive Director

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ARTS IN EDUCATION

Poetry Out Loud: 2024-25 registration now open

Registration is now open for Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation program co-presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation. The program starts with competitions held at the local level, typically at participating schools or organizations. Winners then advance to regional and state competitions, hosted in Maryland by MSAC, in collaboration with DewMore Baltimore. Students not able to participate in a local level competition may register to participate directly in a regional competition.

Click here for more information and to register your school, organization, or independent students. Registration closes Friday, November 15, at 11:59 p.m.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

2025 Heritage award nominations accepted until October 11

Nominations for the 2025 Heritage Award, which recognizes long-term achievement in the traditional arts, are being accepted until Friday, October 11. People, places, and traditions located in Maryland are eligible to be nominated for the award, which comes with a $10,000 prize. For more information, click here; to view a free webinar on the nomination process, click here.

POET LAUREATE

Poet laureate appointment photos available now

First Lady Dawn Moore and MSAC appointed Lady Brion as Maryland’s 11th Poet Laureate at an event at The Clifton House on the evening of Monday, September 16. Click here to see pictures from the event.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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.

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

National call for artists: Public artworks at the Maryland School for the Deaf

The Artwork Commissions program is pleased to invite artists from across the country to apply for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for two public artworks at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick. Click here for more information, and here to view the full RFQ. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 25, at 11:59 p.m.

Those looking for application assistance can also click here to register for our upcoming "How to Apply" webinar on Monday, October 7, from 1 to 2 p.m. American Sign Language interpreters will be provided.

Public Art Across Maryland applications open until December 19

Are you passionate about public art? Do you have a vision for a new public artwork, or perhaps a restoration project in your community? Great news! The Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) program is accepting applications until Thursday, December 19, at 11:59 p.m., with funding of up to $30,000 available! This is an exciting opportunity to turn your ideas into reality.

If you want to learn more, click here to for a quick overview, or here to read more about PAAM opportunities. Let's make public art all over Maryland!

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. Questions?

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

MSAC NEWS

COMMUNICATIONS

FY 2024 annual report published

Our annual report is available now! Click here to see what we've been up to over the past year. It has been a rewarding and busy experience, and always such a pleasure to support Maryland's arts sector.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Apply to be a Poetry Out Loud judge

Maryland's Poetry Out Loud (POL) program, administered by MSAC's Arts in Education program, is seeking poets, literary artists, and educators to serve as judges for 2025 regional and state competitions. Judges support the scoring and evaluation process of high schoolers participating in Maryland's regional and state POL competitions, which will take place in February and March of 2025.

For information, please click here. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 8.

RELATED NEWS

Business Boost microgrant funding now available

The Business Boost microgrant, offered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, is intended to assist businesses seeking to expand their business, or establish a location, with a preference to supporting home-based businesses in establishing their first commercial location outside of the home. The microgrants are $20,000 to $50,000. Applications are being accepted until Monday, October 14 at 5 p.m. Click here for more information.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

Find arts opportunities monthly

The MSAC Resource Bulletin is maintained by Maryland Art Place and includes local, regional, and national opportunities, calls for artists, grants, and vendor opportunities. The Resource Bulletin is updated on a weekly basis and is categorized by deadline date.

Do you have something to add? Email Caitlin Gill at [email protected].

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!