MSAC ENVISION Series: Focusing on Possibilities

Envisioning our State

Coffee with Ken: Tuesdays 9-10AM

Here’s your chance to get the ear of the Director! Join MSAC’s Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz and your fellow colleagues across the state on Tuesday mornings with your favorite coffee drink (or tea, if you’re like Ken!) for a topic-specific dialogue about the arts in Maryland.

July 14: Boards of Directors: Ideas for Engagement and Training

PowerPoint Presentation 

July 21: Arts Organization Staffing: Attracting, Engaging and Retaining Great People

PowerPoint Presentation 

July 28: Arts Organization Leadership: Sustaining Enthusiasm for the Work

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August 4: Arts as Service: Connecting Programs to Communities

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Envisioning our Communities

Story Share: Weekly on Wednesdays 12-1PM 

What better way to listen and share, if not over a meal? Grab lunch and join your fellow colleagues in a story share! As we gather together, this time is to collectively discuss anecdotal hopes, challenges, and tales of resilience of our arts communities. Leave the hour feeling inspired and connected as we envision the resurgence of the arts in our communities. 

July 15: Storyteller, Janice Curtis Greene, will share the personal story of her two oldest sons and how faith and telling their stories turned the misery of their transition into a mission of healing and compassion for others.

July 22: Guest Anita Lambert will share the origins of her work as a Music Therapist in an educational setting, which contributed to a change in expectations and reflections of racial and cultural bias.

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July 29: Guest Adena Varner for - The Anchor of the Arts: Inspiration to keep moving forward drawn from what keeps us steadfast and sustained.

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August 5: Guest Barbara Paca will share a story of connectedness: the evolution of the Maryland Spirituals Initiative as it intersects with her identity as an artist, art historian, member of Maryland's Commission on African American History and Culture, and mother.

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August 12: Guest John Schratweiser will share how his passion for theater, and specifically musical theater opened the door to a career in Arts Administration and Advocacy.

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Envisioning Online Engagement 

Digital Sharing: Weekly on Thursdays 1-2PM 

Join us to hear what’s working well digitally for sharing online content as we hear from arts organizations and artists across Maryland and beyond. 

Performing Arts - July 16

Visual Arts - July 23 

PowerPoint Presentation

Arts Education - July 30

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Literary Arts - August 6 

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Envisioning our Programming 

Public Art Listening Sessions: Purchasing Artwork for State Buildings 

July 6 4-5PM 

July 13 4-5 PM

Maryland's percent for public art program, the Maryland Public Art Initiative would like to begin a program to purchase existing works from Maryland artists to be on permanent display in State owned buildings. In this listening session we want to gather feedback for a proposed artwork purchasing program and how it may benefit painters, photographers, mixed media, sculptors, etc. interested in selling work through this program.

Public Art Across Maryland FY21 Information Sessions

New Projects: July 14  2-3 PM

The PAAM program offers Planning Grants of up to $5000 and Implementation Grants of up to $20,000 for new public artworks. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Conservation Grant:  July 16;  2-3 PM

The PAAM program offers Planning Grants of up to $5000 and Implementation Grants of up to $50,000 for the conservation and preservation of existing public artworks. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Creative Conversations: Independent Artists (Performing Arts): Monday, July 13 12-1

Creative Conversations: Independent Artists (Visual/Media Artists):Tuesday, July 14 12-1

Creative Conversations: Independent Artists (Literary Artists): Thursday, July 16 12-1

Back by popular demand! Grab your lunch, login, listen and learn! MSAC Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss are hosting a series of online gatherings for independent artists to connect with creative, discipline-specific, community members in a small group setting. These hour-long lunchtime sessions are an “off the record” time to share with peers where you are at in your current work, what you are excited about, and what challenges you may be facing.

Reopening Legalities with MdVLA: Wednesday, July 29, 2-3PM

Register here.

Join Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts as they address legal issues surrounding re-opening and in-person engagement, including liability attached to patrons and employees, coordinating action plans for the use of PPE, and following CDC guidelines and other regulations.

Meet MSAC’s Traditional Arts Team: Thursday, July 29, 3-4PM

Register here.

MSAC supports folk and traditional arts through the efforts of four staff members working across multiple programs. These staff members come from a variety of backgrounds, including folklore studies, ethnomusicology, and visual art. This webinar gives a chance to learn these staff members’ stories, how their work supports folk and traditional arts, and how your creative practice or organization might make space for cultural traditions. 

MSDE Arts in Education Update: Monday, August 3, 2-3PM

Register here.

In this conversation, Alysia Lee, Fine Arts Coordinator for the Maryland State Department of Education, will provide relevant updates and recommendations for teaching artists and organizations. Additionally, Alysia and MSAC staff will share current resources as well as hear needs for future guidance.