Panelist service
Panelists are members of the public who assist MSAC with the evaluation of grant applications. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to specific grant programs, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Panelists must be Maryland residents.
Those qualified to serve as panelists include:
- Artists, arts administrators, art enthusiasts, culture workers, and students
- Those interested in learning about how MSAC evaluates grants
- Former MSAC grantees, panelists, editors, or judges
- Those with flexible daytime and evening schedules
Those selected to serve as panelists are expected to:
- Attend a virtual orientation to understand the panel process
- Evaluate grant applications on their own time
- Prepare feedback for each grant application based on established evaluation criteria
- Participate in other evaluation activities (e.g., a virtual panel meeting, applicant site visits, etc.), in accordance with instructions from MSAC staff
Panelist applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.
- For new users:
- Access SmartSimple
- Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
- Follow the instructions below
- For existing users:
- After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
- Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
- Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
- Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Panelist Call” from the dropdown menu
- Under the heading “Grant Program,” select the desired program from the dropdown menu
- Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next”
- Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"
MSAC compensates panelists for their work. Compensation details are included with panelist calls for individual programs.
All panelist payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.
Public Art Across Maryland - Apply by Monday, December 1
Applications are being accepted to serve as panelists for Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM), a program that promotes and supports the inclusion of art in the everyday experiences of Marylanders.
PAAM panelists evaluate applications annually, reviewing as many as 50 assignments for up to 45 minutes each beginning in January 2026. Upon review, panelists must attend one of two virtual panel meetings in late February.
Compensation is up to $975, depending on the number of reviews. This includes compensation for attending a panel meeting and two training sessions.
The application deadline is Monday, December 1, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Public Art Program Director Ryan Patterson at ryan.patterson1@maryland.gov.
Editor service
Editors are members of the public who assist MSAC with revising grant program policies and procedures to better serve the arts sector. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to specific grant programs, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Editors must be Maryland residents.
Those qualified to serve as editors include:
- Artists, arts administrators, art enthusiasts, culture workers, and students
- Those interested in learning about how MSAC revises grant programs
- Former MSAC grantees, panelists, editors, or judges
- Those with flexible daytime and evening schedules
Those selected to serve as editors are expected to:
- Attend multiple, virtual meetings to understand program revision goals and discuss recommendations
- Review materials and provide revision recommendations on their own time
Editor applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.
- For new users:
- Access SmartSimple
- Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
- Follow the instructions below
- For existing users:
- After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
- Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
- Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
- Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Program Editor” from the dropdown menu
- Under the heading “Grant Program,” select the desired program from the dropdown menu
- Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next”
- Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"
MSAC compensates editors for their work. Compensation details are included with editor calls for individual programs.
All editor payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.
There are no current editor opportunities. Check this page for updates!
Judge service
Judges are members of the public who assist MSAC with evaluating recitations during the Maryland Poetry Out Loud (POL) competition. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to the Maryland POL program, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Judges must be Maryland residents.
The Maryland POL competition consists of regional and state events. Dates for these events are confirmed in November every year.
Those qualified to serve as judges include:
- Literary artists, educators, arts journalists, actors, librarians, slam poets, and poetry enthusiasts
- Those with schedules allowing for participation in daytime, in-person events on weekends
Those selected to serve as judges are expected to:
- Attend a virtual training to understand the judging process
- Review poems on their own time, in preparation for live recitation evaluation
- Attend regional or state events to evaluate live recitations
Judge applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.
- Before accessing SmartSimple, review the following resources:
- Review the 2025-2026 POL Judge’s Guide
- Watch at least one recitation video
- Access SmartSimple
- For new users:
- Access SmartSimple
- Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
- Follow the instructions below
- For existing users:
- After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
- Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
- Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
- Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Poetry Out Loud Judge” from the dropdown menu
- Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next”
- Click the checkbox under “Acknowledgment” to verify that you have read the Judge’s Guide and watched at least one recitation video
- Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"
- For new users:
MSAC compensates judges for their work. Compensation details are included with open judges' calls.
All judges' payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.
Poetry Out Loud - Apply by Monday, November 10
Applications are being accepted to serve as a judge for Maryland’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud program, a high school student poetry recitation competition.
Judges are selected to score poetry recitation during regional and state competitions that are held between February and March 2026. Judges will be notified in December if they have been selected to participate.
Compensation is $250 per competition, plus $50 for virtual training.
The application deadline is Monday, November 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Arts in Education Program Director Lizzie Morales at elizabeth.morales@maryland.gov.
Employment opportunities
Working for the Maryland State Arts Council offers the opportunity to join a dedicated team committed to advancing creative expression, cultural heritage, and equitable access to the arts, all while enjoying meaningful work and exceptional benefits. Employees benefit from generous leave policies, comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, flexible schedules, teleworking options, and free local mass transit, along with tax-advantaged savings accounts and eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs.
Grant Programs Assistant - Apply by Monday, November 10
MSAC is hiring a Grant Programs Assistant to support grants administration for the Arts in Education and Maryland Traditions programs. This is a full-time opportunity with a salary range of $62,220.00 to $96,790.00 annually.
Visit the Maryland state jobs site to learn more and apply no later than Monday, November 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET.