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. Click here to access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.
- For new users:
- Click here to 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. Click here for a full payment processing timeline.
Maryland Public Artist Roster - Applications due Friday, May 2
For more information about this national call for panelists, please click here visit the Public Art Across Maryland page.
Creativity - Applications due Friday, May 9
Applications are being accepted to serve as panelists for the Creativity program, which supports project activities for independent artists and small organizations, and general operations for small organizations. Click here to learn more about the Creativity program.
Panelists will review applications for one of two types of Creativity grant: projects or general operating support.
Projects
Project panelist compensation is as much as $450 per month through May 2026, including as many as 45 application assignments.
General operating support
General operating support panelist compensation is as much as $200 per month through January 2026, including as many as 15 application assignments.
The deadline for all Creativity panelist applications is Friday, May 9, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Arts Services Program Directors Emily Sollenberger at emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov or Laura Weiss at laura.weiss@maryland.gov.
Presenting and Touring - Applications due Friday, May 9
Applications are being accepted to serve as panelists for the Presenting and Touring program, which supports a roster of juried Maryland-based touring artists and subsidizes the presentation costs of rostered artists for nonprofit organizations. Click here to learn more about the Presenting and Touring program.
Panelists will review applications for two Presenting and Touring opportunities: Maryland touring roster and Maryland touring grant.
Compensation is as much as $200 bi-monthly through May 2026, including as many as 25 application assignments on an alternating review schedule.
The deadline for Presenting and Touring panelist applications is Friday, May 9, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Arts Services Program Directors Emily Sollenberger at emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov or Laura Weiss at laura.weiss@maryland.gov.
Professional Development Opportunity - Applications due Friday, May 9
Applications are being accepted to serve as panelists for the Professional Development Opportunity program, which supports relevant professional development opportunities for artists and arts organizations. Click here to learn more about the Professional Development Opportunity program.
Compensation is as much as $375 per month through May 2026, including as many as 40 application assignments on an alternating review schedule.
The deadline for Professional Development Opportunity panelist applications is Friday, May 9, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, contact Arts Services Program Directors Emily Sollenberger at emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov or Laura Weiss at laura.weiss@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. Click here to access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.
- For new users:
- Click here to 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 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. Click here for a full payment processing timeline.
There are no current editors 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. Editors 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. Click here to 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 2024-2025 POL Judge’s Guide by clicking here
- Watch at least one recitation video by clicking here
- Access SmartSimple
- For new users:
- Click here to 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 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. Click here for a full payment processing timeline.
There are no current judge opportunities. Check this page for updates!
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.
Program Director, Independent Artist Services
MSAC is accepting applications for a program director to facilitate grant administration for various independent artist programs, including Independent Artist Awards and the Grants for Artists program.
The salary range for this position is $60,987.00 - $98,313.00 a year.
Click here to learn more and apply no later than Monday, April 28, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information, please contact the Maryland Department of Commerce at 410-767-6300.