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23-Jan-2007
MARYLAND ARTS DAY - County arts advocates converge on Annapolis
JANUARY 24, 2007; HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND--On February 6, 2007 arts advocates from Washington County join with counties from across Maryland to support the arts at Maryland Arts Day. Maryland Arts Day and Conference is a statewide advocacy and grassroots campaign organized by Maryland Citizens for the Arts in support of state funding for the arts and for the Maryland State Arts Council.
The Maryland non-profit arts industry is a significant economic force within our state. The Maryland arts industry (arts organizations and arts audience activities) contributed $970 million to the State?s economy in fiscal year 2005, and $1,051 million in fiscal year 2006. Washington County arts leaders are lobbying the legislature to recognize the financial and cultural impact of the arts by increasing the funding to the Maryland State Arts Council.
The amount of dollars allocated to the Maryland State Arts Council directly affects the arts organizations in Washington County. Last year, the Maryland State Arts Council granted Washington County up to 8.5% of the combined total operating budgets of the non-profit arts organizations within the County. These funds are passed along to small and large arts organizations within the County through program grants, services, and direct operational funding.
During Maryland Arts Day, the constituents from Washington County will visit with their County legislators to request support to the arts community. The Washington County Arts Council is spearheading the efforts, accompanying representatives from the Maryland Symphony, the Maryland Theatre, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the Valley Art Association, Hagerstown Choral Arts, and private business supporters such as Benjamin Art Gallery and Tri-State Printing.
Roger Giles of the Washington County Public Schools will be a featured presenter, discussing the planned Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in downtown Hagerstown, an example of an important program that benefits from a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.
Governor O?Malley and leaders in the House and Senate have been asked to address the arts population. Educational portions of the conference include sessions on the creative economy of Maryland, innovations in arts education and updates on the Arts and Entertainment Districts.
"We applaud the efforts of Maryland Citizens for the Arts for their support and dedication to building a stronger arts community in Maryland," said Dania Blair, Chair of the Maryland State Arts Council. Kevin Moriary, Executive Director of the Washington County Arts Council, agreed, stating ?it?s clear, particularly in places like Hagerstown, that a stronger arts community means a stronger community overall.?
The Maryland Citizens for the Arts? principal mission is to encourage funding of the Maryland State Arts Council and this biennial conference allows almost 500 arts leaders to request support from their legislators. Sponsors for Maryland Arts Day include Alex. Brown & Sons Charitable Foundation, Inc., Bunting Management Group, Charlesmead Foundation, Constellation Energy Group, Earle & Annette Shawe Family Foundation, Henry & Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg, Maryland State Arts Council, The Abell Foundation, The Harvey and Lyn Meyerhoff Fund, The Susan B. Katzenberg Fund, and Washington Gas.
Maryland Arts Day and Conference will take place on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 from 9:00am - 3:30 pm at the Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. Senate Building, Annapolis, MD.
For more information on the Washington County Arts Council contact: Kevin Moriarty at kevinm@washingtoncountyarts.com, or visit www.washingtoncountyarts.com
For more information on Maryland Arts Day contact: Elizabeth Gallauresi at 301.793.2928
For more information on arts industry statistics contact: Maryland State Arts Council at 410.767.6555
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