On a stage in Baltimore, a flamenco dancer and musicians entertain guests. The Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company will perform during the Maryland State Arts Council 50th Anniversary celebration. Photo: Kazad

ART NEWS

Maryland State Arts Council Celebrates its 50th Anniversary with music, dance, poetry, theatrical performances, digital and visual art exhibitions.

BY KAZAD

BALTIMORE, MD – In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) will host Celebration of the Arts, an event that will feature innovative work from artists and performers from around the state. Slated for April 20 at The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Celebration of the Arts is expected to reaffirm MSAC’s continued commitment to empowering the arts, engaging communities, and creating artistic vibrancy in Maryland for 50 years and as a springboard to the future.

The celebration will include music, dance, poetry, theatrical performances, digital and visual art. Already, a long list of artists has been put together to add to the celebration. Top of the list is the Barnstormers and RockCandy Cloggers, a group that provides an unforgettable immersion into the many joys of folk music. The group will be accompanied by the music of legendary folk artist Slim Harrison. There will also be performances by the Peace Mission Korean Dance Company, Sankofa Dance Theatre, and Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company with guitarist Ricardo Marlow.  The creativity of Marylanders will shine through the talent of young Poetry Out Loud winners, the theatrical abilities of Imagination Stage, the music of Sombarkin’ and, the World Music of Jonathan Stone. The reception will also include traditional hands-on artist demonstrations and artworks by past individual artist award winners.

Although the main event is slated for the evening, festivities will begin as early as 11 am with the presentation of Best of Maryland Arts Education Festival. Working in partnership with the alumni of Maryland School Art Programs, Maryland Department of Education and Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, and others, MSAC  brings art into the community. The community will explode with creative energy when students, artists, educators, performers, administrators, faculty, and agency professionals gather to celebrate the impact of arts education in Maryland. First Lady Yumi Hogan, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and Maryland Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon will kick off the festival at the Washington Monument.

For the Maryland State Arts Council, 50 years of commitment to art in Maryland is a milestone for the Arts Council. In addition to helping improve the artistic vibrancy in Maryland, the Council is also for the first time engaging in inter-agency collaboration. MSAC Executive Director Ken Skrzesz is excited about the progress made by the Council so far. “As we continue to celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we are excited to partner with the Fine Arts Office of the Maryland State Department of Education on this all-day event. Our goal is to gather in one of Baltimore’s most beautiful and historical communities to highlight excellence in arts education. This inaugural collaboration is unique and allows student artists, arts educators, and professional artists to highlight the great work that is occurring across the state,” he said.

Founded in 1967, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is responsible for empowering the arts, engaging communities, and creating artistic vibrancy in Maryland. Its grants and programs support artists and arts organizations in their pursuit of artistic excellence, ensure the accessibility of the arts to all citizens, and promote statewide awareness of arts resources and opportunities.

As an agency of the State of Maryland Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts, it encourages and invests in the advancement of the arts for all Marylanders. The agency is funded by an annual appropriation from the State of Maryland and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. MSAC may also receive contributions from private, non-governmental sources. Maryland State Arts Council awards grants to not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations and individual artists, and provides technical and advisory assistance to individuals and groups.

Sponsors of the Maryland State Arts Council 50th anniversary include The Cordish Family Foundation Inc., Comcast Communications, Total Wine & More, The Abell Foundation, Story Farm, and MICA.

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