The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance will be awarding over $90,000 in prize money to artists working across all disciplines from Baltimore city and the five surrounding counties (Anne Arundel, Carroll, Howard, Harford, and Baltimore County). Artists may nominate themselves for free and each nomination comes with a professionally designed online portfolio.
The online self-nomination process exposes area artists’ work to regional, national and international audiences. The site has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of art lovers, critics, gallery owners, academics, and leaders in creative business in nearly every country around the globe. Each year, awards are made in two categories: the Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grants.
Up to three Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes are awarded annually for up to $25,000 each. These awards recognize established artists who demonstrate a dedication to their art, a mastery of craft, and a commitment to excellence. Mary Sawyers Baker, one of Baltimore’s early philanthropists, studied voice as a young girl in Paris and embraced the arts throughout her life. She established the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund in 1964 to honor her husband, a well-known Baltimore civic leader.
The b-grants were established in 2010 to promote the quality, diversity, and depth of the region’s arts scene. These prizes recognize both emerging artists and established artists exploring new directions. In previous years, up to ten b-grants of $1,000 each have been awarded. Beginning in 2014, up to three b-grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 each.
The b-grants are each assigned an additional honor: The Semmes G. Walsh, Nancy Haragan and Board of Governors Awards. Semmes G. Walsh gave more than forty years of service to Baltimore and the William G Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund who were grateful for his integrity, common sense, and a commitment to artistic excellence. Nancy Haragan, founding director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, gave years of creative service to Baltimore’s arts sector. The Board of Governors Award recognizes the amazing contribution that the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund’s Board of Governors has made to Baltimore.
The b-grants were established in 2010 to promote the quality, diversity, and depth of the region’s arts scene. These prizes recognize both emerging artists and established artists exploring new directions. In previous years, up to ten b-grants of $1,000 each have been awarded. Beginning in 2014, up to three b-grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 each.
The b-grants are each assigned an additional honor: The Semmes G. Walsh, Nancy Haragan and Board of Governors Awards. Semmes G. Walsh gave more than forty years of service to Baltimore and the William G Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund who were grateful for his integrity, common sense, and a commitment to artistic excellence. Nancy Haragan, founding director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, gave years of creative service to Baltimore’s arts sector. The Board of Governors Award recognizes the amazing contribution that the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund’s Board of Governors has made to Baltimore.
To nominate yourself for the 2015 Baker Artist Awards, you must be at least 21 years old and have been a legal resident of the Baltimore region since October 1, 2014. The Baltimore region is defined as: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County. The Baker Artist Awards are intended for individual artists and groups of artists working as a collective. Artists working in any discipline or multiple disciplines are eligible to win Mary Sawyers Baker and b-grant prizes and winners of the b-grant prizes remain eligible to win the Mary Sawyers Baker prizes. Organizations and venues are not eligible.
Winners of the Mary Sawyers Baker and b-grant Prizes will be required to provide additional proof of age and residency beyond information requested through the online self-nomination process.
The Baker Artist Awards is managed by The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
All inquiries regarding eligibility should be directed to bakerartistawards@gmail.com.
You are encouraged to visit our website at Bakerartistawards.org.
Nominations close on January 15, 2015.