On Sunday, May 20, Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) honored the 2018 Individual Artist Award recipients at a ceremony at Baltimore’s American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM). This year, the MSAC received 367 applicants, 78 of which were chosen and they received a combined $225,000 in awards. The winners included some of the state’s leading playwrights, craft makers, photographers, and non-classical music composers and performers among the 18 disciplines recognized.

“We are thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of this group of fantastic artists who represent the incredible breadth of talent in our state,” said Ken Skrzesz, MSAC Executive Director. “As the statewide agency that serves the arts community, we are proud to be able to support Maryland’s individual artists with these awards and honor their significant contributions to the vitality of our state.” For more information on the awards and other arts projects, visit the MSAC web site.

Pictured: MSAC staff and board members pose with 2018 Individual Artists Award Recipients at AVAM.

DelFest kicks off this week; and with it, Maryland’s inaugural Summer of Music, featuring 25, only-in-Maryland, multi-day music festivals. Maryland’s Summer of Music has something for every music fan. Whether it’s bluegrass, metal, jazz, rock, the National Folk Festival, or everything in between, Maryland’s Summer of Music has it covered. And with festivals in the mountains, on the beach, by the bay, and in the big cities, there is a Maryland Summer of Music festival for everyone.

Check out our web site's extensive Summer of Music for details on all of the festivals running through Sunfest in Ocean City, September 20-23, as well as rundowns of single-day concerts, music venues, concert series, and more. It’s all here, on our Summer of Music page.

One year after Maryland’s turn in the spotlight, IPW, the travel industry’s premier, international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S., is in Denver, CO, and OTD is on hand with Maryland hoteliers, tour operators, and destination marketers to promote Maryland destinations. OTD and its partners held meetings with more than 150 domestic and international tour buyers, including group tour organizers and industry decision-makers from around the world with access to millions of travelers from more than 70 countries. “IPW is an unparalleled opportunity for us to join with our private partners and get the Maryland message to a global travel market,” said Rich Gilbert, Travel Sales Manager, Maryland Office of Tourism. “We have a rich history, amazing outdoor opportunities, unique culinary treasures, mountains, big cities, the Chesapeake Bay— and we are open for business.”

Pictured: OTD staff and partners at the Maryland booth at IPW 2018.

On May 15, TFA hosted its final regional partnership session in Flintstone. The meetings were held to build and develop progams between state agencies and other partners involved in arts and tourism. The goal of the meetings was to generate and promote product appealing to both in-state and out-of-state customers and drive economic and quality of life benefits for Marylanders. The state agencies included DHCD, Transportation, DNR, Commerce, and Planning. The Western Maryland event was the last of five, day-long sessions held throughout Maryland.

Pictured: OTD staff and participants at the Western Maryland regional meeting at Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

How can OTD help spread the word about your attraction or event? "Maryland Monday" is the perfect way to help us help you. Each Monday, OTD launches a new “Maryland Monday” ticket giveaway program across all of our social media channels, consumer newsletters, and weekly “Maryland Minute” radio spots. Combined, these channels reach thousands of potential customers each week. To find out how to get involved by providing tickets to your attraction for an upcoming "Maryland Monday", email OTD’s Leslie Troy.

The all-new, official Destination Maryland guide presents our tourism partners with a unique, powerful opportunity that is 100 percent focused on visitation to Maryland—and there is no better time to speak to its large audience than when they are actively planning their visit to the state. Destination Maryland is sent by request to highly qualified consumers who are actively planning a Maryland vacation—most often a long one. In addition to 250,000 printed copies distributed, the guide will also be available as an interactive e-book with click-through to an advertiser's landing page.

Contact Carly Stedman for rates and details: carly.stedman@milespartnership.com, 202-681-8169 or go to http://industry.visitmaryland.org/marketing-advertising/advertising-marketing-opportunities/.

May 6-12 was National Travel and Tourism Week, and OTD’s welcome centers invited local partners to join them and talk with customers. Each of Maryland’s welcome centers hosted open houses with partners invited to set up for the day, and this year saw more partners join than ever before. Mark next year's date on your calendar now to plan your participation.

Frederick Keys mascot “Keyote Coyote” with Erin Lawson welcomed visitors to the Mason Dixon Welcome Center.

For the latest on events and everything going all around Maryland, view the latest edition of Visit Maryland Now! here.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on iHeart radio stations in Maryland and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.