Executive Director's Letter
February 10, 2015
Today is Maryland Arts Day and GBCA is in Annapolis with 425 of our closest friends and fellow arts advocates from around the state. Thank you to Maryland Citizens for the Arts for organizing such a tremendous event. The cultural sector is strongest when we work together.
Just to catch you up, the arts community is responding to funding cuts to the both the 2014 and 2015 Maryland State Arts Council budgets. While understanding this is a time of shared pain, the proposed cuts, 5% in both FY 2015 and FY 2016 (based on the current funding level) are disproportionate to the proposed 2% across the board cuts for all state agencies. MCA’s proposal would restore FY 2015 and 2016 cuts to level fund the arts and still provide fiscal relief in the General Fund. You can read more details of the proposal here.
Perhaps hit hardest by cuts in the budget was funding for education around the state, most dramatically in Baltimore City. GBCA supports the Baltimore Arts Education Coalition, and the Baltimore Education Coalition in their efforts on behalf of students to challenge the proposed cuts. As arts education continues to be a priority for a complete education, the Arts Education Coalition will host an event with new CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Dr. Gregory Thornton and his staff. During this Town Hall-style meeting, they will share the District’s vision and plan with an opportunity to ask questions. You will also have the chance to network with other advocates, and learn more about ways to get involved. The event will take place at Booker T. Washington Middle School on Tuesday, March 3. Parents, students, teachers, arts advocates, and cultural organizations are strongly encouraged to attend. Learn more and register here.
My members’ tour found me at several extraordinary events this weekend including Lynn Notagge’s Ruined at Everyman Theatre starring the incredible Dawn Ursula, and Paul Rucker’s "Rewind" at The Creative Alliance. Paul’s work is a heartrending and powerful collision of tragic symbols that is being explored in a variety of ways, including a Critical Response Process session with Liz Lerman.
Best,
Jeannie
P.S. Congratulations to the 20 Baltimore arts organizations participating in DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland's Capacity Building Baltimoreprogram!
