Legislative Session Ends on High Note for the Arts

The results of Maryland’s 2015 legislative session include an increase in the General Fund appropriation for the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). The increase brings MSAC’s total General Fund Appropriation for next fiscal year to a record $16.7m.

Through MSAC programs, these funds will continue to be invested in hundreds of arts organizations and programs that reach more than 7.5 million people that attend arts venues, events, classes and workshops annually.

 


"Art is a catalyst moving communities forward," said Mike Gill, Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development. "As evidenced by the positive influence of MSAC's programs, we are grateful to the Governor for his belief in the impact of the arts on our economy as well as our quality of life in Maryland."

Members of the Maryland State Arts Council wish to thank Maryland Citizens for the Arts and the many dedicated arts advocates for their efforts in securing funding that will sustain and grow our state’s dynamic and thriving arts scene.

 
Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Receives Award

During the April 20 annual meeting of the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District Managers, Salisbury A&E District was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award. MSAC recognized Salisbury A&E District's commitment to ongoing revitalization through partnerships, thriving arts centers, new businesses, and events that contributes to a vital community and growing economy.

 


Bill Pencek, Acting Assistant Secretary, Division of Tourism, Film, and the Arts presented the award to Lee F. Whaley and Constance Strott Co-Chairs of the Salisbury A&E District. "Salisbury's A&E District's renaissance is due to the exceptional work of district volunteers, stakeholders, and the city's support," said Pencek. "Congratulations on the great strides you have made in your community." Read more.

Pictured left to right: MSAC A&E District Program Director Pamela Dunne, Co-Chairs Salisbury A&E District, Constance Strott and Lee F. Whaley with Bill Pencek, Acting Assistant Secretary, Division of Tourism, Film, and the Arts.

 
MSAC News

Folklife Festival Next Month

The 5th Annual Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival, a one-day, free festival, celebrates the traditional arts, music, craft and food that epitomize Maryland’s distinct and dynamic cultural life.

Maryland's premier celebration of traditional arts returns on Saturday, June 13, 2015, 11am-7pm in and around the Creative Alliance, at the 3100 block of Eastern Ave., Baltimore.

Musical highlights include The Sherman Holmes Project with Brooks Long (Rhythm and Blues, Gospel and Soul) and Pablo Antonio y La Firma Tropical Extravaganza (Salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia).

In addition, Urban Artistry presents a club dance battle, and attendees can enjoy a Crisfield Crab Picking Contest. Learn more.

Maryland Recognized Nationally for A&E District Program

MSAC’s Arts & Entertainment Program received the American Planning Association's National Planning Achievement Award for Economic Planning & Development in Seattle. Maryland is now home to 22 designated A&E Districts that contribute significantly to the state’s economy. The most recent study by the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University's FY2014 Maryland Arts & Entertainment Districts Economic Impact Analysis showed that A&E Districts generate:

• 6,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs
• Nearly $571.4 million in total state GDP
• Approximately $38.5 million in total tax revenue impact. Read more.

Pictured left to right: APA Awards Jury chair W. Shedrick Coleman, MSAC Executive Director Theresa Colvin and MSAC Chair Carol Trawick with APA President William Anderson.

Julie Madden and Jack Rasmussen

Two New Councilors Named to MSAC

Governor Hogan recently appointed Julie Madden and Jack Rasmussen to the Maryland State Arts Council.

With a background in Decorative Arts and a commitment to arts advocacy, Julie Madden currently serves on the boards of the Maryland Commission on Artistic Property, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and on the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Accessions Committee.

Jack Rasmussen is the Director and Curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center. He previously held Executive Director positions at di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature, Maryland Art Place and Rockville Arts Place.

Geoffrey Lawrence Grace, 2015 IAA photography grantee

An Inside Look at Maryland's First Lady Yumi Hogan
The Capital-Gazette recently profiled First Lady Yumi Hogan. A reporter visited her classroom at the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, spending time with Mrs. Hogan’s students, and then took a trip to Mrs. Hogan’s home studio in Annapolis. Read more.

A Homecoming for Toby Mendez
Artist Toby Mendez returned to his hometown with a visit to the Washington County Free Library on May 1. While there, he unveiled his bas-relief sculpture, "Our Journey Transports us through Time,” the largest piece of art he has ever created in his home county. Read more from The Herald-Mail.

Breaux Appointed NASAA CEO
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) board of directors has appointed Pam Breaux as NASAA's chief executive officer. A native of Lafayette, LA, Breaux is completing her appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Cultural Development at the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism (CRT). A former secretary of CRT and executive director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts, she will step into her new position on July 6, 2015.

Headquartered in Washington D.C., NASAA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association serving the nation's state and jurisdictional arts councils. NASAA represents state arts agencies' individual and collective interests while advancing the arts as an essential public benefit.
Read more.

Foundation Board Purchases Avalon
Facing the prospect that third-party, private buyers could purchase the town-owned portion of the Avalon Theatre, the Avalon Foundation's Board decided to exercise a lease option and buy it themselves. Avalon Foundation Board of Trustees President Sue Bredekamp announced the move at the Easton Town Council meeting April 20. Read more from the Star Democrat.

High Five for Olney Theatre Center
Out of 17 nominations, Olney Theatre Center won five Helen Hayes Awards, tying with the Kennedy Center in number of awards received. The world premiere play, Colossal, was honored with four awards and actor Sam Ludwig was named Outstanding Lead Actor for his portrayal of J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Learn about more awardees.

Elevator Chat with Brooks Long

Melding the traditions of vintage Rhythm & Blues and rock with the esthetics of classic singer/songwriters, Brooks Long brings old school into the 21st century in a style all his own. Whether by himself or with his backing band, the funky and righteous "Brooks Long and The Mad Dog No Good,” Brooks brings the kind of passion, energy, and humor rare in today's music scene.

Long, 29, will perform with The Sherman Holmes Project at the Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival, June 13 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, Baltimore.

Long first took guitar lessons at Bill's Music in Catonsville. Once before a lesson, he fooled around with a guitar he couldn't afford. A man heard him and asked Long to join his gospel band. Brooks' mother said she was driving him to either lessons or rehearsals, but not both. He chose the job, but the gospel group only lasted about three months. Since then he’s been teaching himself guitar through his favorite records ever since – for 15 years.

MSAC: What or who inspired you to become a musician?

Brooks Long: There are a few strong Sunday singers in my family; nobody played [instruments] growing up.
Read the full interview.

Opportunities

Cultural Arts for Education (CAFE) Conference
Join the Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS) Alliance and arts educators and advocates from around the state for the 16th Annual Cultural Arts for Education (CAFE) Conference, May 28, 2015 at Towson University’s Center for the Arts. The theme “AEMS CAFE 2015: Power Up Your Head and Your Heart” offers thought-provoking opportunities to nurture creativity and network with other innovative individuals. The keynote address, “Where and When do Science and Art Intersect?,” is by Dr. Solomon Snyder, Distinguished Service Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Read more.

Arts Organizations Can Utilize New Tourism Calendar
Art organizations are invited to add their events to the new Tourism calendar on the Maryland Office of Tourism site. Those with previous admin privileges may use the same credentials as the old calendar. There is no need to re-enter events listed on the old calendar, they migrate to the new calendar. Arts events on the Tourism calendar transfer to the events calendar on msac.org. Submit events here. For questions, contact Vanessa Jenkins at vjenkins@visitmaryland.org or call 410-767-6282.

Gateway at University Town Center Accepting Artists Proposals
The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation is accepting artist proposals until May 15 for interactive, permanent public art at the entrance gateway to the new Safeway development at University Town Center. Installation is to be completed by October 15, 2015. The sculpture will be east of America Boulevard, in the outdoor pedestrian plaza seating area beside the Safeway. More here.

City of Takoma Park Seeking Artists
Preselected artists will be part of a pool that will be invited to submit proposals for projects over the next five years. Budgets range from $25,000 - $40,000 each year. Artwork must be appropriate for permanent or semi-permanent outdoor installations, safe and easily maintained. Applications are due May 20. View the Request for Qualifications.

Calling On Art for a New Day
Led by artist/curator/organizer Peter Bruun, the New Day Campaign seeks art submissions for exhibitions; proposals for public programs involving performance or other presentations. The New Day Campaign is an arts-based initiative in Baltimore, challenging the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorder by making the world a more healing place. Guidelines here. The deadline is June 8.

MSAC Grants

Individual Artists Award Information and Webinars ››
The MSAC’s annual Individual Artist Award (IAA) recognizes the importance of artists and their works of excellence to the cultural vibrancy of Maryland. Each year, awards of $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000 go to artists from across Maryland based on artistic merit.

The 2016 IAA categories are Fiction, Media/Digital Electronic Arts, Painting, Theatre Solo Performance, Works on Paper, Solo Dance Performance, World Music Solo Composition, and World Music Solo Performance. Deadline is
July 23, 2015. Application guidelines will be available soon.

The MSAC and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation will also offer three Cue Rate/Digital Image webinars for visual artists regarding the submission of digital images for the IAA application:

  • June 20, 2015 (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • June 24, 2015 (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
  • July 8, 2015 (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)

Registration is required to participate in the Cue Rate/Digital Image Webinars. Please register to receive webinar details via email. For questions, email Kinberly Steinle-Super (Kimberly@midatlanticarts.org) or by phone at 410-539-6656 ext.101.

Grant for Schools: Artist in Residence››
The Artist in Residence grant for schools deadline is May 15, 2015. Schools may apply for one grant to bring in an Artist in Residence from the MSAC roster in poetry, playwriting, performing arts, or visual arts. Guidelines are here. Contact Arts in Education Program Director Chris Stewart: christine.stewart1@maryland.gov.

A&E District Technical Assistance Grant››
Applicants must be designated as a State of Maryland Arts & Entertainment District to qualify.  Arts & Entertainment Districts may receive only one Technical Assistance grant per fiscal year. The next deadline is August 6, 2015Click here for more information or contact Pamela Dunne at 410-767-6484 or pamela.dunne@maryland.gov.

Paul Pfau Paul Pfau, 26, will open the 20th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 28-31, 2015 in Hagerstown. The singer/songwriter from Myersville was a contestant on the current season of NBC's "The Voice." Pfau first performed at his high school senior talent show and sang with his guitar. He recalls his friends and family urging him to practice, which ultimately led him to become a musician.

Despite not advancing on the "Voice", Pfau continues to work hard. He attributes his recent fame to his family, friends and the Myersville community. "That's the beautiful thing about being from a small town. People believe in you, and they encourage you because they really want these things to happen." Listen and watch here. (The Frederick News-Post)

 
Featured Events

Black Panthers women drilling with Panther flags - Photo courtesy of Pirkle Jones and Ruth Marion Baruch

Through May 10

Maryland Film Festival
Baltimore City

View of a Wharf, Fish Beach by Joanna Barnum

Through May 31

MD Federation of Art Spring Member Show
Annapolis

May 9

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Montgomery County

May 21

Del Fest
Cumberland

Add your arts event to our free calendar ››