On January 17, Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Kevin Anderson as the next Maryland Secretary of Commerce! Anderson is the Founder & CEO of Cardinal Atlantic Holdings, an economic and community development firm targeting scaled social impact and investment in urban centers. See below for more about the incoming Secretary. MSAC looks forward to working closely with the Moore-Miller administration and welcoming our incoming Secretary of Commerce as we continue working toward the vision that all Marylanders have access to the transformative power of the arts!

On a personal note, my two-year-old is becoming very verbal, and I’m constantly amazed by what she’s noticing. Right now, she’s pointing out murals and sculptures as we drive or walk by. “Alligator, papa!” “Kitty!” “Ball!” (Anything circular is a ball right now. We’re just going with it.) It’s incredible how little things - like an exclamation from a toddler - can drive home the value and importance of public art, in this case how it can delight and teach.

Do you have an idea for a public art piece? We’re hosting a public art round up this month, and we've extended our second public art deadline of FY23 to April 14! See below for more about this and other news from MSAC!

Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director

Read MSAC's new report: The State of the Arts in Maryland: COVID's Impact and MSAC's Response. Click here to view or download.

MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES

ARTS IN EDUCATION

This spring, MSAC is facilitating the public-led revision of the Arts in Education (AiE) program, which funds arts education projects in Maryland’s schools and community settings. Our goal is to clarify the program’s policies to provide equitable access to funds and ensure funding opportunities reach across the state.

Listening Sessions

To begin this process, there are two Listening Sessions scheduled on February 9 at 10 a.m. and February 13 at 4 p.m. These listening sessions are an opportunity to provide feedback and share your thoughts about the future of MSAC's Arts in Education program. MSAC teaching artists, past and current AiE grant applicants, and past AiE grant panelists are encouraged to attend. To register for a Listening Session, click here.

Call for AiE Program Editors

The next step of the AiE revision process will be to identify a panel of editors who will work with the MSAC team to develop the policy recommendations that will improve the public service of the AiE program. The Call for Editors is now open for applications. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 10. For more information on the role of a program editor and to apply, click here.

CREATIVITY GRANTS

Creativity Grants are open to Independent Artists and Organizations

on a rolling basis for up to $4,000!

Thanks to the Arts Relief funding, MSAC is able to award more funding through the Creativity Grant program. Independent Artists are encouraged to apply for project-based support, and small arts organizations and programs are encouraged to apply for general operating support this year.

Important!

Organizations awarded FY23 general operating support have the opportunity to apply for more Arts Relief funding this year. This support must be awarded by March 1 to be eligible for the additional Arts Relief funding - which means those Creativity applications must be received by February 5th! Reach out to Program Directors, Laura Weiss at [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected] for more information. Apply now!

EMERGENCY GRANTS

Emergency Grant applications for up to $2,000 for Independent Artists are currently being accepted! 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. Reach out to Grants Director, Cathy Teixeira at [email protected], for more information. Applications accepted on a rolling basis and awarded monthly. Apply now!

GRANTS FOR ARTISTS

Grants for Artists applications are open! Applications to the Grants for Artists program, which supports working and living expenses for Maryland independent artists, are open now. Read about the program at this link, or view a recording of the virtual info session at this link. Contact Senior Program Director Chad Buterbaugh at [email protected] or 443.469.8239 with questions.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

Folklife Apprenticeship applications will be accepted until February 28, 2023 during a special Arts Relief-funded cycle. 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 March; 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 410.767.8586.

PRESENTING AND TOURING

Is your venue planning its bookings for the new year? Consider applying for a Touring Grant!

The Touring Grant is available to nonprofit organizations across the state of Maryland to support the presentation of performing artists from the Maryland Touring Roster. The Touring Grant is available for up to $5,000 and can support multiple artists selected from the Touring Roster. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a monthly review process. Full details can be found on our website here. Questions? Contact Program Directors Laura Weiss at [email protected] and Emily Sollenberger at [email protected] for more information.

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

Public Art Across Maryland Grants: Spring Application Deadline Extended

The application deadline for the spring round of Public Art Across Maryland New Artworks and Conservation grants has been extended to Friday, April 14. Please contact Public Art Program Staff to discuss your project prior to submitting your application.

Tune into the “Maryland Public Art Opportunities Round-up!”

Join us on Tuesday, February 7, 12:00 - 1:00 pm for a fun, fast-paced webinar session designed to help local organizations, municipalities and County Arts Councils get the word out about open Calls for Artists and connect directly with in-state artists looking for opportunities. To share info about your Call, email Ryan Patterson at [email protected] in advance. Register to attend at MSAC’s Eventbrite page by clicking this link.

Introducing the Public Art Across Maryland Google Group

Maryland artists and administrators are invited to join the Public Art Across Maryland Google Group which functions as a listserv for all-things public art including: Public Art Calls for Artists, professional development opportunities, and where artists and administrators can connect directly to share ideas and resources about planning, creating, and conserving public art in Maryland. To join the group, please email [email protected].

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT

Available to both independent artists and arts organizations, this grant helps support learning opportunities that help the artist or organization learn or develop an identified area of growth. Grants are available for up to $2,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed and awarded monthly. Apply now!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Coffee with the Council

-2/7: Open Discussion

Info Sessions

-2/7: Public Art Round up

2/16: Maryland Public Artist Roster

 Listening Sessions

-2/9: Arts in Education Program

-2/13: Arts in Education Program

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!

2/21: Is For-Profit Right for Me?

2/28: Coffee with the Council: Legal Office Hours

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

MARYLAND'S NEW SECRETARY OF COMMERCE,

KEVIN ANDERSON!

Kevin Anderson is the Founder & CEO of Cardinal Atlantic Holdings, an economic and community development firm targeting scaled social impact and investment in urban centers. The company specializes in real estate and education technology. CAH advises funds, corporations, and governments on economic and community development strategies and projects. 

Anderson previously served as Senior Vice President for Global Partnerships at EVERFI, Inc., an educational software company for financial literacy and life skills education where he led government relations and conducted business development. Prior, Anderson was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of City First Homes, Inc. – a community land trust created to support workforce housing and ensure ongoing affordability for working families in the District of Columbia. Prior to City First Homes, Anderson was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Equity Capital at the Jair Lynch Companies, Inc., a for-profit real estate and community development firm in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for the financial management of JLC’s public, corporate, and real estate ventures. From 2000-2004, Anderson served in Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’ administration as Special Assistant to the City Administrator and Chief of Staff at the D.C. Department of Transportation. 

Anderson holds a BA in Economics from Stanford University and has completed finance, leadership, and executive education at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University, and the National Development Council. Anderson lives in Upper Marlboro, MD with his wife, The Honorable Tiffany H. Anderson, daughter, Kendall, and twin sons, Kennedy and Kolby.

CALL FOR JURORS

Maryland Art Place (MAP), in collaboration with MSAC, is seeking jurors for the 3rd Maryland State Artist Directory Triennial multidisciplinary exhibition.

MSAC relies on a diverse array of experts from across the state of Maryland to do the important work of evaluating applications. Collectively MSAC and MAP are seeking jurors with diverse experience from across the state, and expertise in the disciplines of the artists under review - visual/media, literary, and performance. Jurors must be Maryland residents. Click here to learn more about the call.

RESOURCE BULLETIN

The MSAC Online Resource Bulletin, maintained by Maryland Art Place, includes regional, national, and international exhibition opportunities, public art opportunities, grants, fellowships, residencies, artist registries, and information on available studio spaces in the area. The Resource Bulletin is updated throughout the month, so click here to see what new opportunities have been posted!

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