Maryland’s arts community lost a champion last month with the passing of Jaqueline Copeland, MSAC’s Chair. Jackie was a devoted mother, loving wife, talented curator, award-winning museum educator, guardian of African-American art, and, as the staff and councilors who worked with her knew, a steadfast advocate for the arts who confidently led MSAC’s work in the direction of equity, inclusion, and transparency. Joining the council in 2019, Jackie brought to MSAC her three decades of leadership in major visual arts institutions nationwide, including the Walters Art Museum and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, both in Baltimore City. She was elected Chair in 2021 and notably oversaw the distribution of $40 million in Arts Relief funding last year, a leadership transition, and the announcement and initial implementation of an equitable funding formula for our largest grant program, Grants for Organizations.

Jackie assumed the Chair position on the same day I was appointed MSAC’s Interim Executive Director. It was a privilege to work cIosely with a leader who cared passionately, fought fiercely, and thought strategically about how best to support all of our state’s arts communities. She pushed me to be a better leader, and I will be eternally grateful for her counsel, guidance, and mentorship.

On hearing of her passing, her MSAC family reflected on her leadership, her compassion, her ability to bring people together to work toward a common goal, the impact that her time as Chair has had on Maryland’s arts communities, and the inspiration she’s given us to continue our work ensuring access to the arts for all. We will miss her dearly.

I invite you to join us in taking a moment this month to celebrate Jackie’s life and legacy. 

MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES

ARTS IN EDUCATION

Poetry Out Loud Registration is Now Open

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national recitation program starting with competitions at the local level. Local winners advance to regional and state competitions, hosted in Maryland by MSAC in collaboration with DewMore Baltimore. Click here for more information and to register your school, organization, or independent students.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS

Heritage Award Nominations Still Open

Nominations for the Heritage Award are being accepted through Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. The public is invited to nominate individuals, places, and traditions that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in traditional arts and culture. Awards are $10,000 each. Click here to learn more or begin a nomination.

PUBLIC ART ACROSS MARYLAND

Odeleye Sculpture Unveiled at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore 

MSAC's Artwork Commissions program celebrates the unveiling of "The Family," a sculpture by Ayokunle Odeleye, commissioned for the School of Pharmacy & Health Professions at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES, Somerset). Odeleye, graduate of Howard University and retired sculpture professor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, has been a practicing public sculptor for 43 years. “The Family” represents the first artwork commissioned by the Maryland Public Art Commission for a Historically Black College or University.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, SESSIONS, & EVENTS

Regional Office Hours - Lower Eastern Shore

Join the MSAC team for regional office hours at the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library Oct. 5th from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Staff will be on hand to speak with anyone who has questions about MSAC grants or other resources. Click here to register.

Virtual Office Hours: Public Art Across Maryland

Join the Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) team for virtual office hours Oct. 12th from noon to 1 p.m. Staff will be on hand to explain the artist selection process for public art projects, as well as to answer questions from those applying to the PAAM program's New Artworks and Conservation grant opportunities. Click here to register for this and future virtual office hours events, which are hosted the second Thursday of each month.

Upcoming Events

October 3rd @ 3 p.m. - Community Building & Resources for Teaching Artists, with TAMA

October 5th @ 10 a.m. - Regional Office Hours: Lower Eastern Shore

October 10th @ 4 p.m. - Arts in Education: Teaching Artist Office Hours

October 12th @ 12 p.m. - PAAM Grant: Office Hours

October 16th @ 12 p.m. - How to Apply: Grants for Organizations - FY25 on Year Application

October 18th @ 4 p.m. - 2023 Maryland Touring Artist Roster Showcase

October 24th @ 9 a.m. - Coffee with the Council: Legal Office Hours with MDVLA

October 30th @ 12 p.m. - How to Apply: Grants for Organizations - FY25 Off Year Application

PRESENTING & TOURING

Join us for the Touring Roster Showcase

The Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster showcase will take place Oct. 18th from 4 - 6 p.m. The virtual event is for organizations interested in hiring artists through the Presenting and Touring program and will include 20 short performances by members of the Touring Roster members. Click here to register

MSAC NEWS

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Post-Ophelia Resources from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) supports cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists affected by Tropical Storm Ophelia with the National Heritage Responders hotline (202.661.8068), offering 24/7 support. Those who suffered facilities or collections damage can fill out one of three assessment forms:

Cultural institutions

Arts organizations

Individual artists and performing groups

Click here for more information about HENTF, or here for emergency resources compiled by MSAC.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Public Art Across Maryland: Call for Panelists

Applications to serve as Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) panelists are being accepted through Oct. 12. Selected panelists will review applications to the New Artworks and Conservation grant programs. Click here for more information.

Poetry Out Loud: Call for Judges

Applications to serve as Poetry Out Loud (POL) judges are open through Nov. 10th. Individuals with experience as theater artists, educators, professors, arts journalists, writers, actors, librarians, slam poets, and general poetry lovers are all encouraged to apply. Click here for more information.