Baker Artist Portfolio Awards

In order to respond to the needs of artists who have been severely impacted by COVID 19, the entire awards process for the 2021 Baker Artist Portfolio Awards season has been reconfigured.

The $90,000 pool of funding usually reaches six artists annually. This year it will be awarded in the amount of $2,500 to 36 artists.

Knowing that the need is urgent, GBCA will accelerate the adjudication timeline and distribute the award funds in March 2021, two months earlier than in previous year. For more information on the new, temporary award structure, please click here.

The deadline to be considered for one of the 2021 Baker Artist Awards has been extended to January 22, 2021 at 5:00pm.

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Beijing opera master artist Xueling Qin (left) coaches learner artist Sarah Xiaoxian Xie (right) during a 2016-2017 Folklife Apprenticeship. Hear more about their experience here. Photo and linked presentation by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.

2021-2022 Folklife Apprenticeship

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) has announced that applications are open for 2021-2022 Folklife Apprenticeships. This grant supports traditional arts education through the teaching of skills from a master artist to a learner artist. Grants are $5,000 each, with $4,000 disbursed to the master artist and $1,000 to the learner artist during a one-year teaching period.

Applications are due Friday, January 15, at 5 p.m. Read the Folklife Apprenticeship guidelines and evaluation criteria here.

Begin an application using MSAC’s application system, SmartSimple. Log in to SmartSimple or create a free account at marylandarts.smartsimple.com.

Maryland Traditions, the traditional arts program of MSAC, has given Folklife Apprenticeships annually since 2004. See a list of past recipients at msac.org/grants/folklife-apprenticeship.

Folklife Apprenticeships are distinct from registered apprenticeships offered through the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Program, which supports workforce development.

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) announces that applications for the 16th annual Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize are now open. The prestigious competition awards a $25,000 fellowship to assist in furthering the career of a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living and working in the Greater Baltimore region. Approximately six finalists will be selected for final review for the prize. This year, the finalists’ work is scheduled to be exhibited at the Walters Art Museum.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, January 11, 2021.

Apply for the Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize

The finalists’ exhibition is scheduled to be on view Thursday, May 27 through Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the Walters Art Museum, located at 600 N. Charles St. Admission to the exhibition is free. In the case of continuing COVID-19 restrictions, the exhibition will occur on the online platform Kunstmatrix, with curatorial support from the Walters Arts Museum.

Additionally, works by the remaining semifinalists will be selected by BOPA curator Lou Joseph for a separate exhibition during the summer of 2021. The 2021 jurors are Naz Cuguoğlu, Michelle Grabner, and Meleko Mokgosi.

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The 49th annual Downtown Partnership Monument Lighting goes virtual this year!

Tune into WJZ Channel 13 from 7:30 – 8pm on Thursday, December 3, for festive performances and special guests to count down the lighting of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place.

There won’t be anything to see or do in Mt. Vernon Place that night because of public health concerns. But Downtown Partnership is already planning to bring back the holiday village and fireworks for the lighting’s 50th anniversary in 2021.

Find more information here and join in the annual tradition on December 3!