After more than 100 hours of professional training from September through December, the Cohort 2024 Urban Arts Leadership Fellows are about to embark on the next phase of their journey: a six-month placement at one of this year’s amazing host organizations. It is my honor to announce the host organizations and placements for the 2024 Urban Arts Leadership Cohort.
Rhythm Ajanku, Baltimore Museum of Art
Gloria Badmos, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Khari Harrison, Mid Atlantic Arts
Tracie Jiggetts, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance
Kion Lumford, Fight Blight BMore
FAITH McCorkle, Maryland Citizens for the Arts
Melvin “Sage” Trusty, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance
Sierra Smith, Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation
Congratulations to all the Fellows and host organizations! Preparations for recruitment of the Urban Arts Leadership Cohort '25 are underway. Here's to a year of continued growth, collaboration, and fostering equity in the arts.
As many of you know, Baltimore lost one of its biggest talents recently. Carl Grubbs will be remembered fondly by all of the people he touched and as a towering figure in the jazz community. A celebration of Life will be held this Saturday, January 27 at 10:30 am at St. Paul Schools in Brooklandville, MD. Musicians are invited to join the jam session included in the morning's program.
On another note, you may remember Mayor Brandon Scott’s wonderful announcement that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are being made available to arts and culture organizations. Now they need your help! The United Way of Central Maryland is seeking individuals to serve as reviewers of grant applications submitted as part of the Baltimore City 2024 ARPA Community Arts Grants funding opportunity. By participating, you will be supporting Mayor Scott and Baltimore City’s efforts to provide much needed funding to local art and culture organizations, helping them sustain and expand the work they do to provide high quality art and cultural experiences and activities that are accessible to all Baltimore City residents, especially underrepresented and marginalized communities. Interested? See more information below or click here to complete the interest survey by February 2.
It’s so important that artists and cultural voices are a part of this important process.
