NEWS

Please contact us at msac@msac.org or 410-767-6555 if you need more information.

New Training Session Dates for MARYLAND CDP!
Don't miss the opportunity to attend one of these sessions to learn more about the Maryland CDP and how to put it to work for you!

Now that the Cultural Data Project is in eight states, we have learned much on how organizations of all shapes and sizes can best use the system. If you are new to the Maryland CDP, or merely want a refresher attend a morning New User Training. If you are already participating, attend the afternoon Reports training session.

MARYLAND STATE ARTS COUNCIL ELECTS OFFICERS, WELCOMES THREE NEW COUNCILORS
A new slate of Maryland State Art Council officers was elected at the Maryland State Arts Council’s annual meeting in June and assumes leadership this month. Three new councilors also begin their terms July 1, 2010.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION IN ARTS AWARDS

Grants to 264 Maryland Organizations Maintain Jobs in the Arts Industries Governor Martin O’Malley today announced more than $11 million in Maryland State Arts Council grants to Maryland organizations and county arts councils, reaffirming his commitment to the arts in Maryland.

 “Our investment in the arts organizations in Maryland is another strategy to strengthen small businesses and create and retain jobs in the creative industries,” said Governor O’Malley. “Support of the operations of these arts organizations stimulates the economy and contributes greatly to the quality of life we enjoy in our State.”

Maryland Poet Laureate Stanley Plumly Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Election to the American Academy is one of the highest honors in our country, and the Academy's membership constitutes an honor roll of our most distinguished leaders in academics, the arts, business, and public affairs.

New MSAC Officers and Councilors Begin Terms on July 1, 2010
A new slate of Maryland State Art Council officers, elected at the Council's annual meeting on June 4, assumes leadership this month. William Mandicott was elected Chair of MSAC, Abigail Hoffman remains Vice Chair, and David Terry becomes the Secretary-Treasurer.  Two new members, Margaret Footner and Lora Bottinelli, join the Council.

Apply to the Arts in Education Roster to be an artist in the schools - Deadline Sept 17, 2010
The application period for the artists-in-residence and visiting performers programs is now open. Click here to download the guidelines and application which provides detailed information on the program and how to apply. DEADLINE: September 17, 2010. www.msac.org/applyaieroster

Magical Experiences Arts Company on WYPR’s The Signal
MSAC artist-in-residence Joanne Margolius heads up a theater troupe called The Magical Experiences Arts Company (MEAC). MEAC works with the Maryland School for the Blind, United Cerebral Palsy Del Rey, and Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents, among others, presenting innovative and creative theater programming to empower, inspire, and education children, adolescents, and adults with severe multiple disabilities.  Listen now!

Arts in Communities application deadline - July 14, 2010
Not-for-profit Maryland organizations may apply for support of arts activities that will take place in Maryland. www.msac.org/aic

MARYLAND TRADITIONS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2010 ALTA AWARDS
Annual Achievement in Living Tradition & Arts Award Recognizes Key Contributors to Maryland’s Living Traditions

Maryland Traditions, the folklife program of the Maryland State Arts Council, announced the winners of its annual ALTA (Achievement in Living Traditions and Arts) Awards, recognizing living traditions in the State of Maryland.

New Program Recognizes Cultural Contributions of Maryland's Small Businesses
Traditional Small Business Recognition Program Supports Ongoing Efforts to Preserve Maryland’s Living Heritage

Maryland Traditions master/apprentice team Samia Ahmad and Irum Ahmad on WYPR
Maryland Hindustani Traditions

Hear the Interview: Traditional artists Samia Ahmad and Irum Ahmad were interviewed. For nearly ten years, the Maryland State Arts Council‘s “Maryland Traditions” program has paired master teachers with apprentices who want to learn the techniques and history of a variety of traditional and folk arts. This year, teachers included a Colombian vallenato button accordion player, a Persian drummer, a Guatemalan marimbist, and an Appalachian Gospel singer.

Maryland Folk Arts Celebrated at Creative Alliance
BALTIMORE, MD (May 5, 2010) – Maryland Traditions, a program of the Maryland State Arts Council, will present a traditional and folk arts showcase on Thursday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. Featuring performances by singers, musicians and dancers, the program also includes the Maryland Traditions 2010 ALTA (Achievement in Living Traditions and the Arts) Awards ceremony and recognition of the 2010-11 recipients of the program’s Master and Apprentice and Project Grants.

Public Assistance Available to Nonprofits for February Severe Winter Storm Expenses
Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington counties and the Upper Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland areas are eligible.

FY 2011 Individual Artist Awards - Deadline August 4, 2010
Guidelines Now Available.

Maryland's Nora Sandler Takes Third Place in National Poetry Competition
The Maryland State Arts Council is pleased to announce Maryland State Champion Nora Sandler’s third place win in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals competition at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC on April 27th. Nora was one of three competitors in the East Central and Northeast Regional Semi-Finals that moved on to the national final. This is the first time that Maryland has been in the national finals. Poetry Out Loud Website

You're Invited! Individual Artist Awards Celebration May 20 at American Visionary Art Museum
Join the Maryland State Arts Council to celebrate the 97 artists who received an Individual Artist Award for 2010.

DBED Secretary Christian Johansson Reads Across Maryland
Secretary Christian Johansson visited Southwest Baltimore Charter to read to first graders as part of the Read Across Maryland challenge. The Secretary joins the Governor and Lt. Governor in an effort to encourage parents, teachers, and students to read every day for 30 days for the month of March. Read Across Maryland is part of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America, an annual reading motivation and awareness program.

Pamela Dunne Retires
Assistant Director's Last Day was March 31, 2010.

Arts and Entertainment Districts Designation Guidelines Available Now - Deadline: October 1, 2010
Deadline:  October 1, 2010

April e-Newsletter
Check out our AprilArts Maryland e-newsletter.

Maryland Traditions and WYPR collaborate on "The Signal"
Velvet Hammer: Ahmad Borhani and Persian Classical Music in Maryland. WYPR 88.1 FM, March 19, 2010 - 12 PM and again at 7 PM. www.signalradio.org.

Mid Atlantic Artist Registry
An online registry of Individual Artist Award fellowship recipients

Frederick Receives Arts & Entertainment Outstanding Achievement Award
In recognition of the significant contributions made to Maryland’s economy through art and culture, the Downtown Frederick Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District was presented today with the Arts & Entertainment Outstanding Achievement Award by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).

MSAC Announces Maryland Poetry Out Loud 2010 State Champion
Nora Sandler of Montgomery County won a $200 prize and will move on to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC, April 25-27, 2010. This year 43 schools from 14 counties participated in the recitation competition which awards more than $100,000 to students and schools at the state and national levels. MSAC partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to conduct the competition.

Governor O'Malley Announces 2010 Individual Artist Awards
98 Maryland artists to receive total of $250,000 in arts grants

Scholarships for Americans for the Arts Conference In Baltimore
Application deadline: Friday, March 26, 2010.  Funds are availabe for artists to attend the 2010 AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS HALF-CENTURY SUMMIT, June 25-27, 2010 in Baltimore.  Scholarships in the amount of $250 toward the registration fee of $350 are offered to individual artists and arts professionals living in Baltimore.

The Language of Objects exhibition extended to Apr 19
 

MSAC Presents Cherry Adler Award to The Puppet Co.

In Memoriam - Lucille Clifton
Former Maryland Poet Laureate dies at 73

MSAC closed May 28, 2010 for State of Maryland Service Reduction Days