Grab your lunch, login, listen and learn! The Maryland State Arts Council (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.
Registration is required (maximum of 20 participants per session); meetings will be held through Google Meet.
Performing Artists Monday, June 22 at 12 noon Hosted by Laura Weiss Register here
Visual Artists Tuesday, June 23 at 12 noon Hosted by Emily Sollenberger Register here
Literary Artists Thursday, June 25 at 12 noon Hosted by Laura Weiss Register here
As Baltimore’s Arts Council, BOPA is committed to focusing on the importance of Census completion within the creative community. The promotional campaign “I’m Creative & I Count” was implemented into BOPA’s programming and events in early 2020 with the goal of engaging Baltimore’s thriving community of creatives. The campaign has since been adapted to engage through social media, featuring videos and live online performances from Baltimore based artists.
By participating in the Census, you give proper representation to Baltimore’s community of artists, musicians, educators and other creatives.
Invitations for the 2020 U.S. Census were mailed to residences earlier this year. Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census self-response deadline has been extended to Saturday,October 31, 2020.
Look for the 2020 U.S. Census invitations in the mail at home. Participation is easy and responses can be submitted online, by mailed paper form, or by calling the Census Bureau.
As part of the “I’m Creative & I Count” campaign, BOPA has distributed brochures, buttons, stickers and information about the importance of the Census, while continuing to reach out to our creative city virtually through our social media.
BOPA also spoke with Baltimore-based artists about what it means to be a part of our vibrant creative community. Take a look at their stories below:
Enoch Pratt Free Library makes access to literature and other library resources easy. Take a look at these services for delivery and pickup at your local branch.
Books by Mail delivery service option has expanded availability to all Baltimore City customers. Sidewalk Service is a contact-free way to check out and pick up books & other materials from the Pratt Library.
“and then…she realized she was enough,” acrylic, collage, and relief carving on wood panel, by LaToya Hobbs, FY19 IAA recipient
Join Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss as they host two virtual Information Sessions about the 2021 Independent Artist Awards (IAA) on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, July 7 at 4 p.m..
Emily and Laura will walk through the IAA application, work sample requirements, the scoring rubric, and review process. There will also be plenty of time for questions and answers.
Registration is not required; meetings will be held on Google Meet at the links below:
MSAC’s Independent Artist Awards (IAAs) recognize achievement by Maryland artists making work independent of an institution or organization. The awards are accompanied by grants of $2,000, $10,000, and $15,000 that encourage artistic growth and sustained practice. 2021 IAAs will recognize artists in the Visual/Media Arts.
For further details and information, including IAA Guidelines, please visit our website here.
New Digital Platforms Provide Direct Support to Baltimore-Based Artists, Galleries, and Collectives at tomorrows.artbma.org
The BMA Salon launches with 11 online exhibitions developed by Baltimore-based galleries and artist collectives. The presentations include images and details about the featured artworks available for purchase, background on the presenting organization, and contact details to access further information. Each gallery and collective will handle their own transactions and keep the proceeds in full. The BMA Salon was established with the vision to cultivate new audiences for participants and enhance their networks. The BMA has provided each participant with $2,500 as an organizing fee to support their work in creating the presentations. Nine other organizations will be added to the website in mid July.
The BMA Screening Room debuts with 48 video works created by 21 Baltimore-based and Baltimore-born artists. The works will live as part of an evolving online repository, providing increased exposure for the artists during a moment when there are few exhibition opportunities and offering the museum’s audiences new dynamic content with which to engage. The BMA has also paid each participating artist a licensing fee, ranging from $500 to $750, to feature their work as part of the new platform. The BMAScreening Room is slated to feature 50 artists, adding artists and videos through time.
After postponing the opening due to COVID-19, the Baltimore
Farmers’ Market & Bazaar returns for its 43rd season this
Sunday, June 14. We have missed seeing you each week, but this postponement has
allowed us to plan out the healthiest and safest way to reopen during this
health crisis. This Sunday, things will look and feel differently under the
JFX. While we are used to gathering, socializing, and shopping together, we
have had to redesign the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar – for now – to
focus on operating only as an essential food source. This is not permanent;
however, it is necessary in order to open the Market in the safest way
possible.
In the past few weeks, we have seen the country come together in
an impressive show of solidarity against injustice and racism. As BOPA opens
the market this weekend, we consider the importance of equal access to healthy
environments, good food and safety as a way to address systemic issues such as
food deserts that prevent communities from gaining access to much needed
resources. Access to our market provides fresh food with the goal of
contributing to the health and nutrition of all Baltimore residents.
As we reach out to farmers and food vendors to provide services
at the market, we are cognizant that those resources should accurately reflect
Baltimore. We continue to network with Black and urban farmers, but we could
use your assistance in identifying diverse farmers within the agriculture
community who can make our market team stronger, more equitable and more
representative of the City we love.
In addition, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar has been
an annual platform for a diverse group of Baltimore-based artists and makers to
showcase their crafts and grow as entrepreneurs. Since we are opening a food
source only in this initial phase, we look forward to eventually resuming the
Bazaar and bringing in more of our beloved vendors as they grow their
businesses here in Baltimore. While we cannot welcome our Bazaar vendors to the
market at this time, we have made their names and contact information available
on the BOPA
website so that you can contact them directly.
We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend and throughout
the season. While the market will be different as we maintain social distancing,
wear our masks and shop expeditiously so that others can also shop, we hope
you’ll still feel the empowering sense of community as we resume this beloved
Sunday tradition.
Please be well and stay safe,
Donna Drew Sawyer CEO, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts
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The full list of changes, restrictions and recommendations for the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar is available here.
Over the past several months, Baltimore’s creative community has had to make significant adjustments to the ways in which we all interact with the arts. With stay-at-home orders, gathering restrictions and social distancing, many arts programs, classes and activities can no longer happen the way they once did. Thinking creatively, Baltimore individuals and organizations have looked to virtual opportunities to keep the arts thriving during this time.
BOPA is proud to feature Baltimore and Maryland arts organizations that have had to make these necessary adjustments.
Today’s spotlight is on Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, a leader in the Maryland cultural community know for their innovative productions of Shakespeare’s works and other classics. With performances canceled, the team has been working hard to produce virtual content and adapt their summer programming. Read more below to see how they have been able to shift from the stage to the screen over the past few months.
