To follow last week’s news about GBCA’s work with Partners for Sacred Places, you are invited to join us on Monday, March 19 at 6:00pm for a special Art in Sacred Places Happy Hour at Zion Lutheran Church. We’ll be celebrating the launch of this new stage in our partnership as we begin the matching process between congregations and artists looking for performance, exhibition, or rehearsal space. Come to network, meet artists, meet congregations, and learn about the program from Baltimore program coordinator Tony Small.

This week, GBCA welcomes its newest team member, Renz Balagtas, as Program Assistant supporting the Urban Arts Leadership Program and the Baker Artist Portfolio. Renz is a current UALP Fellow with a placement at the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Maryland. He is working part-time with both organizations through June and will then continue full-time with GBCA. Renz is a first generation American of Pilipino descent, completed his undergraduate degree at San Diego State University, and then moved to Baltimore to attend MICA.

And finally, next Monday and Tuesday I’ll be joining advocates from across the country in Washington, DC for Arts Advocacy Day. This annual convening brings together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with more than 700 grassroots advocates from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts.

Stay tuned for more news about the Baker Finalist Showcases coming up in the next few months!

Best,

Jeannie