Arts Council distributes $13 million in grants

Gov. Martin O’Malley approved more than $13 million in grants to 236 arts organizations and 24 local arts councils throughout Maryland for the new fiscal year that started July 1. The awards are made through the Maryland State Arts Council.

“When we invest in the arts, we invest in our communities, our businesses and our citizens,” said Gov. O’Malley. “We’re fortunate to have such a thriving and vibrant arts community in Maryland – a community that reinforces our creative economy.”

Arts organizations will receive $10,859,705 in grants for FY 2009 and another $2,531,065 will be in the form of awards for community arts development to county arts councils. The total amount of the grants is $13,390,770.

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These are some of the organizations and events that will benefit from Arts Council funding:

• Everyman Theater – Baltimore’s fastest growing Equity theater is planning a move to the historic Town Theatre, as part of the city’s West Side revitalization effort.

• Hippodrome Foundation – This Baltimore landmark theater plans to offer more youth programming in conjunction with the Broadway-quality shows that play here.

• River Concert Series – This annual series at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s City draws an increasing number of people each year – 35,000 were expected this season – to classical music concerts on the riverfront in Southern Maryland.

• Allegany Arts Council – Having just moved into a renovated building in Cumberland’s historic downtown, the council plans to offer more programming from its expanded quarters.

“To be involved with these local arts organizations as they enhance their programming and make the arts more accessible for people all across the state is a wonderful experience,” said Theresa M. Colvin, the Arts Council’s executive director. “These individual organizations are a reflection of Maryland’s dynamic cultural community.”

The Arts Council selects organizations to be funded after an advisory panel for each artistic discipline evaluates potential grantees. This includes on-site visits to each organization that applies for funding. List of FY 2009 grantees.