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Executive Director's Letter February 18th 2020

February 18, 2020

It was great to see so many arts advocates out in Annapolis last week for Maryland Arts Day! Kudos to Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) for creating such an entertaining, and impactful event.
Thank you to those of you who participated and played a role in demonstrating the strength of Maryland’s arts sector. The arts sector generates 16,922 full-time equivalent jobs, and has a $1.3 billion economic impact!

MCA advocated in favor of the Governor’s proposed FY2021 arts appropriation at the fully funded level of $26 million, HB127/SB287 establishing the Maryland Arts and Culture Capital Grant program, and HB135/SB465 which continues the $1 million transfer from the Preservation of the Cultural Arts to the Maryland State Arts Council.

Speaking of strength and advocacy, education is one of the most important tools for success for individuals and communities. Yesterday, advocates from throughout the state flooded Annapolis to demonstrate their support for, and testify in favor of, the newly proposed Kirwan Commission recommendations. (In June 2016, the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education formed and quickly became known as the Kirwan Commission, after its Chair William E. (Brit) Kirwan, Ph.D.)

Supporters see the proposed plan as a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a strong and equitable state-wide school system. Among the Commission’s important recommendations are to increase access to early childhood education, and incorporate arts education as part of the fundamental curriculum. To learn more, follow this link.

Do you work in development in the arts and culture sector? GBCA regularly hosts Development Roundtables to gather fundraising professionals to discuss and learn about critical topics. For our session next Wednesday, we've partnered with the Association of Fundraising Professionals to host AJ Protin, the COO of Project Own at St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center, to explore how databases can be best used for fundraising. RSVP here.


All my best,

Jeannie


P.S. Citizen Artist Baltimore is back! Details are coming soon about the March Mayoral Candidates Forum on Arts and Culture.

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