On July 4, and running through Election Day, Quarry Theatre will premiere The Discourse Project, a filmed theatrical endeavor exploring the themes of democracy, freedom, and equality. The Discourse Project will feature actors from across the United States performing prominent speeches and historical documents as our country is faced with re-evaluating its current national identity.

With weekly uploads to the following social media platforms, Quarry Theatre will present this video content in hopes of evoking a community discourse about the future of our nation leading up to the presidential election on November 3, 2020.

YouTube: Quarry Theatre

FacebookTwitter: @quarrytheatre

Instagram: @quarrytheatrebaltimore

TikTok: @quarrytheartre

#thediscourseproject

The Discourse Project is conceived and directed by Ryan Clark.

Quarry Theatre, a Baltimore-based theatre company, creates authentic works of performance that reflect the issues surrounding today’s socio-political climate. Collaged from the excavation and examination of significant textual and statistical evidence as well as an array of media sources, Quarry Theatre productions defy genre and connect with audiences through provocative storytelling. For more information, please visit www.quarrytheatre.com.

Grab your lunch, login, listen and learn! The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss are hosting a series of online gatherings for independent artists to connect with creative, discipline-specific, community members in a small group setting. These hour-long lunchtime sessions are an “off the record” time to share with peers where you are at in your current work, what you are excited about, and what challenges you may be facing. 

Registration is required (maximum of 20 participants per session); meetings will be held through Google Meet.

Performing Artists
Monday, June 22 at 12 noon
Hosted by Laura Weiss
Register here

Visual Artists
Tuesday, June 23 at 12 noon
Hosted by Emily Sollenberger
Register here

Literary Artists
Thursday, June 25 at 12 noon
Hosted by Laura Weiss
Register here

Questions? Contact Program Directors Emily Sollenberger (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov) or Laura Weiss (laura.weiss@maryland.gov) for assistance. 

As Baltimore’s Arts Council, BOPA is committed to focusing on the importance of Census completion within the creative community. The promotional campaign “I’m Creative & I Count” was implemented into BOPA’s programming and events in early 2020 with the goal of engaging Baltimore’s thriving community of creatives. The campaign has since been adapted to engage through social media, featuring videos and live online performances from Baltimore based artists.

By participating in the Census, you give proper representation to Baltimore’s community of artists, musicians, educators and other creatives.

Invitations for the 2020 U.S. Census were mailed to residences earlier this year. Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Census self-response deadline has been extended to Saturday, October 31, 2020.

Look for the 2020 U.S. Census invitations in the mail at home. Participation is easy and responses can be submitted online, by mailed paper form, or by calling the Census Bureau.

As part of the “I’m Creative & I Count” campaign, BOPA has distributed brochures, buttons, stickers and information about the importance of the Census, while continuing to reach out to our creative city virtually through our social media.

BOPA also spoke with Baltimore-based artists about what it means to be a part of our vibrant creative community. Take a look at their stories below:

Read More →

Enoch Pratt Free Library makes access to literature and other library resources easy. Take a look at these services for delivery and pickup at your local branch.

Books by Mail delivery service option has expanded availability to all Baltimore City customers.
Sidewalk Service is a contact-free way to check out and pick up books & other materials from the Pratt Library.

Learn more about these programs, and other virtual resources, at https://www.prattlibrary.org/

“and then…she realized she was enough,” acrylic, collage, and relief carving on wood panel, by LaToya Hobbs, FY19 IAA recipient

Join Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss as they host two virtual Information Sessions about the 2021 Independent Artist Awards (IAA) on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, July 7 at 4 p.m..

Emily and Laura will walk through the IAA application, work sample requirements, the scoring rubric, and review process. There will also be plenty of time for questions and answers. 

Registration is not required; meetings will be held on Google Meet at the links below:

Friday, June 19 at 10 AM:
https://meet.google.com/kob-qyqq-six
Join by phone: (US) +1 402-509-9660‬ PIN: ‪118 959 073‬#

Tuesday, July 7 at 4 PM:
https://meet.google.com/ert-mnxh-znd
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 304-503-3085‬ PIN: ‪396 167 361‬#

MSAC’s Independent Artist Awards (IAAs) recognize achievement by Maryland artists making work independent of an institution or organization. The awards are accompanied by grants of $2,000, $10,000, and $15,000 that encourage artistic growth and sustained practice. 2021 IAAs will recognize artists in the Visual/Media Arts

For further details and information, including IAA Guidelines, please visit our website here.

IAA Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

APPLY NOW

BMA SALON AND BMA SCREENING ROOM

New Digital Platforms Provide Direct Support to Baltimore-Based Artists, Galleries, and Collectives at tomorrows.artbma.org

The BMA Salon launches with 11 online exhibitions developed by Baltimore-based galleries and artist collectives. The presentations include images and details about the featured artworks available for purchase, background on the presenting organization, and contact details to access further information. Each gallery and collective will handle their own transactions and keep the proceeds in full. The BMA Salon was established with the vision to cultivate new audiences for participants and enhance their networks. The BMA has provided each participant with $2,500 as an organizing fee to support their work in creating the presentations. Nine other organizations will be added to the website in mid July.

The BMA Screening Room debuts with 48 video works created by 21 Baltimore-based and Baltimore-born artists. The works will live as part of an evolving online repository, providing increased exposure for the artists during a moment when there are few exhibition opportunities and offering the museum’s audiences new dynamic content with which to engage. The BMA has also paid each participating artist a licensing fee, ranging from $500 to $750, to feature their work as part of the new platform. The BMA Screening Room is slated to feature 50 artists, adding artists and videos through time.

Read More →

After postponing the opening due to COVID-19, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar returns for its 43rd season this Sunday, June 14. We have missed seeing you each week, but this postponement has allowed us to plan out the healthiest and safest way to reopen during this health crisis. This Sunday, things will look and feel differently under the JFX. While we are used to gathering, socializing, and shopping together, we have had to redesign the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar – for now – to focus on operating only as an essential food source. This is not permanent; however, it is necessary in order to open the Market in the safest way possible.

In the past few weeks, we have seen the country come together in an impressive show of solidarity against injustice and racism. As BOPA opens the market this weekend, we consider the importance of equal access to healthy environments, good food and safety as a way to address systemic issues such as food deserts that prevent communities from gaining access to much needed resources. Access to our market provides fresh food with the goal of contributing to the health and nutrition of all Baltimore residents.

As we reach out to farmers and food vendors to provide services at the market, we are cognizant that those resources should accurately reflect Baltimore. We continue to network with Black and urban farmers, but we could use your assistance in identifying diverse farmers within the agriculture community who can make our market team stronger, more equitable and more representative of the City we love.

In addition, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar has been an annual platform for a diverse group of Baltimore-based artists and makers to showcase their crafts and grow as entrepreneurs. Since we are opening a food source only in this initial phase, we look forward to eventually resuming the Bazaar and bringing in more of our beloved vendors as they grow their businesses here in Baltimore. While we cannot welcome our Bazaar vendors to the market at this time, we have made their names and contact information available on the BOPA website so that you can contact them directly.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend and throughout the season. While the market will be different as we maintain social distancing, wear our masks and shop expeditiously so that others can also shop, we hope you’ll still feel the empowering sense of community as we resume this beloved Sunday tradition.

Please be well and stay safe,

Donna Drew Sawyer
CEO, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

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The full list of changes, restrictions and recommendations for the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar is available here.