June, for state government and for many arts organizations, means the end of the fiscal year. You may have noticed that many of our grant programs are not accepting applications at the moment. This is so we can wrap up awarding an unprecedented number of grants and processing over $65 million in payments. Our aim this fiscal year has been to bolster the arts sector by equitably distributing funding to spur arts activity and shore up organizations coming out of a pandemic and facing an uncertain future. From the overwhelming response to our 14 grant programs, we know that the creativity infusing Maryland’s communities is strong and dynamic, and the need for resources for artists and arts organizations is great. Some of what we were able to accomplish together is outlined below, and we look forward to witnessing and sharing the impact of this year’s investments in the months and years to come.

The pause in between fiscal years also gives us a chance to incorporate feedback and learning to clarify program guidelines and improve applications for next fiscal year. Many of our programs will begin to accept applications later this month and next, so look for announcements and info sessions coming soon!

And, we’re looking forward to the 2023 Maryland Arts Summit this week! There is still time to register and join colleagues from across the state on topical issues with some really incredible presenters. Click here for more information and to register. For MSAC’s part, we’ll hold our annual Council meeting at UMBC on Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (anyone is welcome to observe), and staff will be available for office hour appointments during several of the session timeblocks. We’ll also host a live version of Coffee with the Council on Friday morning, so grab breakfast and join us for a spirited conversation.

Be well, and I hope to see you soon!

Steven Skerritt-Davis, Executive Director


MSAC PROGRAM UPDATES
ARTS IN EDUCATION

Maryland State Poetry Out Loud Champion Madison Harris recitingpoetry at the National Poetry Out Loud Finals in Washington, D.C., on May 10.

Arts in Education Grant

Since August 2022, the Arts in Education (AiE) program has given 247 grants, almost twice as many grants from the previous year, thanks to Arts Relief funding. These grants supported more than 190 residencies, 100 visiting performances, 75 workshops, and almost 20 online programs, among other arts education activities across the state. While the majority of the activities took place in schools, grants also supported activities in community centers, senior centers, libraries, detention centers, and nonprofit organizations. Click here for the full list of FY23 AiE grant awardees.

Poetry Out Loud

We are excited and proud to announce that Madison Harris, a student at Indian Creek High School in Anne Arundel County, placed 3rd in the National Poetry Out Loud Finals in Washington, D.C., on May 10! Thank you, Madison, for sharing your talents and passion for poetry with us. Congratulations!

CREATIVITY GRANTS

The Creativity Grant program has grown tremendously in FY23! Throughout the year, we saw a record number of applications: more than 1,050 were reviewed. With record funding, we were able to support 320 artists and arts organizations through April.

Applications for FY24 Creativity Grants are open in June for the first review period in July! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with monthly reviews. Visit msac.org for updated guidelines, resources, and more!

Emergency Grants

In FY23, the Emergency Grant program provided 275 grants, of $2,000 each, to independent artists experiencing artistic income loss due to emergencies. 150 of these grants were made possible due to the Arts Relief funding. MSAC is grateful for this additional funding, which allowed support for a far greater number of artists this year.

Maryland Traditions

Maryland Traditions is proud to have granted $1,735,000 to traditional artists and traditional arts organizations during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Funds supported the Heritage Award, Folklife Network, and Folklife Apprenticeship programs, and enabled students like Leó Qualls (Baltimore County) to study Hungarian folk dance with master artist Cathy Lamont (Montgomery County) in a one-on-one apprenticeship. During the recent Pontozó Néptáncversenyen (Hungarian Folk Dance Competition) in New Jersey, Leo won a gold-level certificate for his performance.

Apprentice artist Leó Qualls. Photo by Anna De Cheke Qualls and used with permission.

Public Art

The Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) program received a record 100 applications and awarded a total of 46 grants in its spring funding cycle. The lists of grantees are available for the New Artworks program and for the Conservation Grant program.

Overall in FY23, PAAM saw a record number of applicants and was able to award more grants due to Arts Relief funding - 101 New Artworks Grants and 16 Conservation Grants, for combined funding of just under $2.5 million. The FY24 PAAM Grant cycle will open in early August. Look for announcements and info sessions coming soon!

Professional Development Grant & Upcoming Events

The Professional Development Opportunity Grant proved quite valuable to artists and organizations throughout the year. With more than 300 applications received in FY23, MSAC was able to fund 99 opportunities through April, all supporting learning, training, and growth opportunities helping folks make a greater impact through their work and in their communities.

Applications for FY24 Professional Development Opportunity Grants will open in June, with the first review period in July! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with monthly reviews. Visit msac.org for updated guidelines, resources, and more!

Msac at the Maryland Arts Summit!

Find MSAC at the Maryland Arts Summit June 8-9 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County! Staff will be hosting regional office hours during several session blocks, as well as a live version of the popular forum, Coffee with the Council. Click here for more information and to register for the Summit.

We'll also host our annual council meeting Thursday, June 8 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Anyone may attend to observe. Time for comments from the public will be provided at the end of the meeting. Click here to visit the Meeting Notices page on our website for more information.

Grants For Artists

The Grants for Artists pilot program supported the working and living expenses of more than 250 independent artists with grants of $6,000 each. Grantees reside in 19 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and practice a wide variety of art forms. MSAC is investigating ways to bring back the highly popular program, which received approximately 1,900 applications. Click here to learn more.

Special Request Grants

The newly-revised Special Request program returned after a short hiatus to fund capacity building and special projects at several organizations in FY23. A total of about $200,000 has been granted so far to help bolster stability, innovation, and visionary thinking among organizations that are part of Maryland's arts and culture sector. Click here