Executive Director's Letter
December 30, 2014
Thank you to all our friends and supporters for a wonderful and adventurous 2014. Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance is proud to be a part of a community that makes such tremendous contributions to the region—economically and to the quality of life. I am especially grateful to GBCA’s nearly 500 members, our volunteers, and our extraordinary Board of Directors who provide leadership in so many ways. We couldn’t do it without you. If you haven’t already joined GBCA, I hope you will consider becoming a part of our work through membership, a contribution, or both. Right now your gift can go even further. The Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation has awarded GBCA an incredible challenge grant in order to match your contribution dollar-for-dollar.
After a little break with my family, it feels great to be thinking about what’s ahead for 2015. This spring, GBCA’s Urban Arts Leadership Program fellows will be placed with 12 area cultural organizations to begin the next phase of their experience. Before you know it, applications will be opening for the class of 2016! If you haven’t done so already, I hope you will check out the Bmore Art's interview with this year’s team to learn more about the program and this extraordinary group.
With six months of the new Culture Fly under our belt, GBCA is seeing a significant increase in calendar postings and usage throughout the region and with patrons as far as Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. That means an even greater reach for organizations and artists who are working to build audiences and awareness into the New Year. A hearty thanks goes out to our newest sponsor, M&T Bank.
Monday is the deadline for media and performing artists to apply for the second round of Rubys Artist Project Grants. Watch for Rubys projects coming to fruition in 2015 including Glenn Ricci’s immersive theatre production, The Mesmeric Revelations! of Edgar Allan Poe, which is being mounted in partnership with the Maryland Historical Society with additional support from PNC Bank. Filmmaker and Rubys grantee Carla Brown’s project has made her a star with the National Park Service in the U.S. and Canada. Legendary jazz musician and Baker Artist Award-winner, Carl Grubbs will be using his Rubys grant to re-imagine his Inner Harbor Suite. Keep an eye out for the opportunity to hear Carl at one of his two upcoming concerts.
Area artists can ring in the New Year this weekend by completing their applications for the Rubys AND getting their Baker Artists Awards nominations polished off.
More than 35 cultural organizations have applied to be part of the two-year DeVos Institute of Arts Management in partnership with the University of Maryland Capacity Building: Baltimore Program that kicks off in February. The Baltimore cohort will be announced the week of January 19.
Finally, in 2015 we at GBCA resolve to work for greater recognition of and participation in, the area’s many cultural treasures and to fostering a climate where diversity and excellence are valued, honored, and supported.
Happy New Year!
Jeannie
