Regional Office Hours return this month! Meet up with MSAC staff at the Cecil County Arts Council in Elkton this Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to talk with our team about your grant applications and learn more about what MSAC offers. We’ll also have computers available and provide hands-on technical support navigating our website and grant platform, SmartSimple, starting at 10:45 a.m. Click herefor more information and to let us know that you’re coming. 

May 5 will be an important date for many of MSAC grant programs, as it will be the last day to submit an application. In order to process payments for a record amount of funding and grant awards before the close of the fiscal year, applications will be closed from May 6 until they reopen to accept FY24 applications. Be sure to submit applications by May 5 to be considered for funding this fiscal year. See details by program below. Also, April 14 is an important deadline for the Public Art Across Maryland program. Details also below.

As we begin National Poetry Month, MSAC is kicking off the nomination process for Maryland’s next Poet Laureate! See details below about making a nomination or applying to be part of the selection committee that will make recommendations to Governor Moore. 

We’re also excited to celebrate Maryland’s Poetry Out Loud State Champion Madison Harris! Nine finalists gave their all competing for the title at an event at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore on March 18. The event showcased the power that poetry holds as an expressive form and the passion alive in Maryland’s next generation. As always, it was awe inspiring. 

One last thing. April 18th's Coffee with the Council will be an important conversation about the needs of artist entrepreneurs and small businesses. We'll share the resources available from MSAC and the Department of Commerce and discuss what MSAC could do to better meet the needs of this part of the creative sector. Click here to visit our Eventbrite page for more information and to register.

Be well, and if you’re looking for an arts event this spring, click here to view Maryland’s Arts Calendar.

Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director

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ARTS IN EDUCATION

2023 Poetry Out Loud State Champion

Congratulations to Madison Harris from Indian Creek High School in Anne Arundel County who was selected as Maryland's Poetry Out Loud State Champion! She was among nine finalists who were selected from 25 Maryland students representing eight counties that competed in the statewide competition. Second place was awarded to Treston Melvin from Pocomoke High School in Worcester County, and third place went to Yasmin Roach from Wilde Lake High School in Howard County. Thank you to DewMore Baltimore who, in collaboration with MSAC, produced this year's Poetry Out Loud regional and state competitions!

Arts in Education Grant

During the 2022-23 year, the Arts in Education Grant program has awarded a record-breaking 247 grants totaling more than $1.4 million! These grants were awarded to artists and organizations to deliver educational programming in school and community settings throughout Maryland. The Arts in Education grant application is now closed for fiscal year 2023 and will reopen for FY2024 applications in July 2023.

For questions on the Arts in Education program, please contact the Arts in Education Program Director, Lizzie Morales, at [email protected].

CREATIVITY GRANTS

Creativity Grant applications for up to $4,000 for independent artists and organiztaions are being accepted through May 5, 2023 on a rolling basis. Please note the program will close from May 6 - June 5 in preparation for the transition to the new fiscal year.

The second round of Arts Relief General Operating Support (ARGOS) for Creativity Grantees application is open through April 15. To be eligible for ARGOS Creativity funding, your organization must have been approved for FY23 Creativity General Operating Support by March 1, 2023. The additional ARGOS Creativity funding is available through a separate application, which is accepted on a rolling basis through April 15.

For more information, visit the ARGOS page of the MSAC website or contact Program Directors, Laura Weiss at [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected] for more information.

EMERGENCY GRANTS

Emergency Grant applications for $2,000 for Independent Artists are being accepted through May 5, 2023! If you have experienced a loss of income due to an emergency occurring after January 1, 2022 that impacts your work as an independent artist, we encourage you to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through May 5 and awarded monthly. Reach out to Grants Director, Cathy Teixeira at [email protected] for questions. Apply now!

GRANTS FOR ARTISTS

Round 1 Grants for Artists Recipients Announced

MSAC is pleased to share its first recipients of funding from the Grants for Artists program, which supports artists' working and living expenses. To see a list of recipients, click the "Grants Awarded" accordion at this link. Recipients of the second round of funding will be announced later this spring.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

Folklife Apprenticeship applications will be accepted until April 30 for traditional arts activities that run July 2023 through June 2024. Folklife Apprenticeships are $5,000 each and support traditional arts education through the teaching of skills from a master artist to an apprentice artist. Applicants will be notified of their application status in July; Maryland residents are eligible to apply. For more information, click here to view an Information Session recording, or contact Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons at [email protected] or 410.767.6568.

POET LAUREATE

Maryland Poet Laureate Nominations

Kick National Poetry Month off right and nominate the next Poet Laureate of Maryland! Starting April 3, 2023 MSAC will accept nominations for the honorary position of State Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate of Maryland is an honorary State position in which the individual selected will serve at the discretion of the Governor for up to a four-year term renewable by the Governor’s consent. MSAC will assist in the administration of an open and inclusive selection process that welcomes Poet Laureate nominations from citizens across the State. Click here to nominate a poet.

Poet Laureate Selection Committee

The call for the Maryland Poet Laureate Selection Committee for the selection of the next Poet Laureate of Maryland opens April 3, 2023. MSAC is seeking a committee that is representative of the diverse arts and humanities communities throughout the state to do the important work of evaluating applications from poets nominated for the Poet Laureate of Maryland. This opportunity is open to professionals living and working in the state of Maryland. Click here to apply to be part of the selection committee.

PRESENTING & TOURING ROSTER

Touring Roster Applications along with the Touring Grant applications are being accepted through May 5, 2023 on a rolling basis. Please note the program will close from May 6 through June 5 in preparation for the transition to the new fiscal year.

For more information, click here to visit the Presenting and Touring page of the MSAC website or contact Program Directors, Laura Weiss at [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Professional Development Opportunity Grant applications for up to $2,000 for independent artists and organiztaions are being accepted through May 5, 2023 on a rolling basis. Please note the program will close from May 6 - June 5 in preparation for the transition to the new fiscal year. For more information, click here or contact Program Directors, Laura Weiss at [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected].

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

New Public Artist Roster - National Call to Artists and Call for Panelists

MSAC’s Artwork Commissions public art program is launching a new Public Artist Roster that will be an inclusive and equitable process for selecting artists for the commissioning of new, original, and site responsive public art for new or renovated state buildings. We are seeking visual artists interested in being included in the new Public Artist Roster and individuals interested in serving as a panelist to review applications. Applicants cannot apply to both calls.

• Artist Application deadline: May 31, 2023
• Panelist Application deadline: April 26, 2023
• For the full guidelines and links to apply to the calls click here.
• An informational webinar for artists interested in applying will be held Thursday, April 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT. Register here.

Artwork Commissions Recent Artist Selections

St. Mary’s College of Maryland has awarded artist Aurora Robson a $250,000 commission to create a suspended sculptural artwork for lobby of the new Dodge Performing Arts Center. Frostburg State University awarded two commissions for the Education & Health Sciences Center: artist Stacia Goodman has been awarded $75,000 to create an interior mosaic mural for a high-traffic interior lobby space, and artist David Hess was awarded $210,000 to create an exterior sculpture that will stand adjacent to a new outdoor plaza that will host gatherings throughout the year. Congratulations to all three of the artists and both campuses.

Public Art Across Maryland Grant

Applications are being accepted through April 14, 2023. Both the New Artworks and Conservation grants offer funding of $10,000 for planning and $50,000 for project implementation. Click here for more information about each program.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coffee with the Council

• 4/11: Coffee with the Council: Open Discussion & Who am I as an Artist
• 4/18: Coffee with the Council: How can MSAC better support artist entrepreneurs?

Info session

• 4/13: Public Artist Roster: How to Apply

MSAC & MdVLA

MSAC & Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts are teaming up to bring you a series of virtual offerings over the next few months, offering advice and the opportunity to ask questions!

• 4/18: Creating a Rulebook for Your Entity
• 4/25: Coffee with the Council: Legal Office Hours
• 5/23: Coffee with the Council: Legal Office Hours

Access all MSAC applications in SmartSimple. 

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

MSAC NEWS

COUNCILOR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

In FY2023, MSAC’s Governance Committee launched an initiative to encourage invaluable council member connections with the goals of supporting council members in their roles and sharing knowledge and experience to build connections among council members. Councilors are utilizing Mentorship Program tools to foster significant relationships among fellow council members, which contribute to councilor impact.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

The MSAC online Resource Bulletin is maintained by the 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].

Click Here for more information.