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Executive Director's Letter - 2/14/23

Posted on February 14, 2023 by GBCA

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for your support of arts and culture and for the love you give to the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Our work is only possible because of the many generous contributors who support equity in the arts and culture sector. If you’re thinking about sending a Valentine’s to GBCA, you can make a contribution here!

I hope you will join us to share the love at our Happy Hour tomorrow (Wednesday) evening where we will be welcoming American Visionary Art Museum Executive Director, Jenenne Whitfield. The event will be from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Motor House. You can RSVP here.

Speaking of Valentine’s love, Thursday, January 15 is Maryland Arts Day. In addition to our new Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Wes Moore and Aruna Miller, there are many new faces in the 2023 General Assembly. For that reason, the hundreds of advocates who show up for this event are particularly important, even when the event is virtual. Hats off to Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA), whose year-round advocacy ensures that the sector is prepared, united, and successful, and to Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) for their vigilant and equitable granting process.

This year, we will be asking legislators to:

  • Please SUPPORT the mandated and fully funded Maryland State Arts Council Appropriation level of $30.5 million.
  • Please SUPPORT an appropriation of $20 million for COVID arts sector relief and recovery fund. (Take action now, see below)
  • Please SUPPORT SB167 which codifies the MSAC funding formula
  • Please SUPPORT fully funding the Arts and Culture Capital grant program at $3 million.

For a complete briefing on all of these bullets and the Arts Day agenda, visit the MCA website here.

While Arts Day is sold out, you can still take important action by signing on to a letter supporting an appropriation of $20 million for COVID arts sector relief and recovery funds. A recent study by MCA shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the arts sector, causing a total financial loss of over $135 million, leading to the loss of over 36,000 jobs, and a decline of almost $85 million in tourism and audience spending. Despite efforts to recover, the sector still faces persistent inflationary pressures and financial challenges threatening its existence. Let the Governor and other legislators know that you believe funding arts and culture should be a priority for our state. You can:

  • Read the letter at the provided link.
  • Sign this form with your name and your organization's logo.
  • Upload any additional supporting letters to the form (optional) - you can borrow language and write any narrative you think is meaningful.

United we stand!

Jeannie

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Executive Director's Letters

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