Small Businesses & Solo Entrepreneurs – Expanded Availability of PPP Loans in Baltimore

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The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) and the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund (NIIF) have entered into a partnership with Opportunity Fund to expand the availability of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans to Baltimore’s small businesses, sole-proprietors, and independent contractors. 

If your business is located in Baltimore City and did NOT receive a PPP loan in 2020, you can now apply for a first PPP loan through Opportunity Fund’s online application portal by clicking here.

While all small businesses are encouraged to apply, Opportunity Fund is focused on providing PPP access to the smallest businesses, especially sole proprietors, those without banking relationships, and those who missed out on the first round of PPP.

The application deadline is March 31, 2021, but Opportunity Fund recommends applying by mid-March to allow for processing time.

APPLY TODAY

Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize Semifinalists Announced!

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The Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize competition is in full swing!

  • Matthew McConville
    “Improved Iris”
  • Edgar Reyes “Sueños”
  • Kim Rice “The Long Shadow – Cleveland”
See the full list of the semifinalists, and their artwork, here!

The 2021 jurors, Naz Cuguoğlu, Michelle Grabner, and Meleko Mokgosi, have selected thirty-four artists for the semifinal round. The prestigious $25,000 fellowship is awarded to assist in furthering the career of a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living and working in the Greater Baltimore region. Approximately six finalists, to be announced mid-March 2021, will be selected for final review for the prize. This year, the finalists’ work is scheduled to be exhibited at the Walters Art Museum.

Congratulations to the 2021 Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize Semifinalists!

Visit our social media pages to get to know these phenomenal artists and see their work: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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The Business of Arts Networking Series 2021

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The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) has announced the 2021 launch of The Business of Arts Networking Series, a quarterly virtual program aimed at supporting emerging artists and creatives in Baltimore City by providing professional development, networking, performance and showcasing opportunities, and, technical support grants (available annually depending on funding).

The first round of programming and performances takes places on Thursday, January 28, and Friday, January 29, 2021, and is focused on The Art of Branding and Marketing Yourself Successfully, with sessions hosted by Baltimore artists Shae Li, Jazmin Washington, and Abdu Ali, and a performance from Brandon Kanion.

The Business of Arts Networking Series is sponsored in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and Bank of America.

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Registration for Maryland Arts Day Now Open!

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Maryland Citizens for the Arts has announced that this year, Maryland Arts Day will be virtual! 

Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:30am to 1 pm

Maryland Arts Day is the largest annual gathering of arts professionals in Maryland. With more than 500 participants, representing every county in the state and Baltimore City, this statewide arts advocacy event connects artists, educators, administrators, volunteers and trustees with lawmakers from every legislative district in Maryland.

Maryland Arts Day needs your participation to show strong support for the arts in Maryland and its impact on the economic and cultural vitality of the state.

Find more information and register for Maryland Arts Day here.

The Art of Activism: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Join the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum this MLK weekend to commemorate civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during The Art of Activism: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, a weekend of virtual programming from Friday, January 15 through Monday, January 18, 2021.

Four days of virtual events feature arts and activism programming in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and highlight the voices of community leaders and artists who live the legacy of Dr. King through their work. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it’s impossible to gather for Baltimore’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The Art of Activism: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. programs offer the Baltimore region an opportunity to safely honor Dr. King during this historic weekend.

More information about The Art of Activism: The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is available at www.promotionandarts.org and www.lewismuseum.org.

Keep reading for the full schedule of events!

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Baker Artist Portfolio Awards – Deadline Extended & Structure Changes

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Baker Artist Portfolio Awards

In order to respond to the needs of artists who have been severely impacted by COVID 19, the entire awards process for the 2021 Baker Artist Portfolio Awards season has been reconfigured.

The $90,000 pool of funding usually reaches six artists annually. This year it will be awarded in the amount of $2,500 to 36 artists.

Knowing that the need is urgent, GBCA will accelerate the adjudication timeline and distribute the award funds in March 2021, two months earlier than in previous year. For more information on the new, temporary award structure, please click here.

The deadline to be considered for one of the 2021 Baker Artist Awards has been extended to January 22, 2021 at 5:00pm.

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