The Saturday Visiter Awards, presented by Poe Baltimore, recognize Edgar Allan Poe’s continuing legacy in the arts and literature around the world.  The prizes will honor media, art, performance and writing that adapts or is inspired by Poe’s life and works. 

Though he was not wealthy in his lifetime, Edgar Allan Poe was the first American writer to support himself entirely by his pen. The Saturday Visiter was the name—and spelling—of a local periodical that held a contest for poetry and short stories. Poe won the award for his short story “MS Found in a Bottle” (which he wrote at Poe House.) The Saturday Visiter Awards are named after the prize a young Edgar Allan Poe won while he lived in Baltimore which helped to launch the famed writer’s career. 

Saturday Visiter Awards will be given in two categories: works that adapt Poe’s life or writing(including biography, or true adaptations of his poetry or prose), and original works that are inspired by Poe’s life or writing. In addition, important “Poe Places”, including The Poe Museum (Richmond, VA) ,  The Poe Cottage (the Bronx NYC) and Poe House (Baltimore , MD) will highlight exceptional entries specific to their region.

Deadline to enter: May 30, 2020

Call for entries will close May 30, 2020. Visit our FAQs page for more information.

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Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA) is a network that advocates for, supports and empowers Teaching Artists in the Mid-Atlantic region.

TAMA Network Events
TAMA is using its networks to support Teaching Artists as they experience the impact of COVID-19.

Quarterly Member Meeting: Tuesday May 12 | 9-11AM
TAMA is excited to Host every TA in the Mid-Atlantic region to their next Quarterly Member Meeting! RSVP Today.

TA Café: Mondays | 9:30 AM
Start your work week out with TAMA! Rise and shine TAs! Before you plug into the news, grab your coffee or tea and plug into your network. As Teaching Artists are invited to reinvent their work, this is an opportunity to share your dreams and invent the future together.

Click here to see available dates. Eventbrite requires you to register for individual sessions. Refresh the page to register for multiple sessions.

Genesis: TAs of the Diaspora: First Mondays | 1PM
Individual artists of color have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly because people of color are disproportionately getting and dying from COVID. Artists who do not have the backing of a large institution are left to navigate canceled gigs and mounting bills while trying to balance the stress, fear, and anxiety all alone. This Brainstorm Group Share, led by TAMA NJ State Director and Certified Life Coach, Wincey Terry-Bryant, is exclusively for individual Teaching Artists of color living and/or working in the Mid-Atlantic region. Come share your heart, your fears, anxieties, ideas, and resources. Know that you are NOT alone. We will get through this together.

Click here register for June. Eventbrite requires you to register for individual sessions. Refresh the page to register for multiple sessions.

More information about TAMA is available on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

The Gallery in Baltimore City Hall is proud to feature an extraordinary talent and photographer, Devin Allen, in its first virtual gallery exhibition, The Beautiful Journey: The Lens of Devin Allen.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Allen is often called the most important photographer since Gordon Parks. Motivated by representation and burdened with misrepresentation, Allen set out to capture what he calls “the beautiful ghetto.” In 2015, Allen gained international attention when Time magazine selected his momentous black and white photograph capturing the Baltimore Uprising for its cover.

“During our nation’s most trying times, it is art that uniquely captures the moment and preserves it for the future,” says Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. Young continues, “I am proud to announce our very first virtual gallery exhibition featuring one of Baltimore’s most acclaimed and celebrated artists, Devin Allen. Devin made history when one of his photos landed on the cover of Time magazine. Today, he takes us on a beautiful and virtual journey of Baltimore City through the lens of his camera. So, stay inside, stay safe, and enjoy this fantastic journey of our beloved Baltimore from home.”

Visit the full virtual gallery here.

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The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture hosts Museum Nights @ Home, a social distance dance party featuring the sounds of Baltimore’s own DJ Supream.

Tune into the museum’s Facebook Live on Thursday, May 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to join party.

More Information available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/532816344102219/

PLUS: Although the museum is currently closed, you can access more than 6,000 objects from the Lewis Museum’s Online Collections Portal here!

Located in the heart of Downtown Baltimore, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African American Marylanders. The Exhibits explore local African-American heritage through themes of family, community, history & art.

Young Audiences has partnered with the Baltimore City school district as well as with local artists and organizations to introduce a TV show: Arts & Learning Kids! This show premiered on Baltimore City Public Schools’ Channel 77 last month and brand new 30-minute episodes launch every week for all elementary grade bands—all of which support Baltimore City Public Schools’ Wit & Wisdom literacy and Eureka Math curricula. The shows are available online to allow greater access after each episode airs.

Arts & Learning Kids will have your children up and moving, laughing, and learning! The brand new educational TV show from Young Audiences uses the arts—like beatboxing, puppetry, tap dancing, singing, and more—to teach math and literacy skills at three different grade levels: PreK/K, 1/2, and 3-5. Check it out on City Schools TV Channel 77 (find the schedule at here) or watch now at yamd.org/kids.   

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Young Audiences  has also been delivering Arts & Learning Snacks to the 18 meal sites around Baltimore. Young Audiences has partnered with groups like FutureMakers to create easy-to-use art kits that inspire and encourage creativity at home and make them available to 9,000 Baltimore families. Like Arts & Learning Kids, Snacks not only addresses the digital divide but ensures that the academic content students have access to also nurtures their personal and creative development. 

Arts & Learning Snacks put arts materials directly into the hands of students—no Internet required! Pick up yours at select City Schools meal sites on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-1pm.

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About Young Audiences/Arts for Learning

Young Audiences/Arts for Learning is the most far-reaching arts in education nonprofit in Maryland. Each year, we partner with hundreds of schools and community organizations in all 24 Maryland school districts to provide students—from pre-K to grade 12—with over 230,000 hours of discovery, inspiration, and hands-on learning and engagement through the arts.

The Maryland Office of Tourism has compiled a resource list of virtual experiences in Visual & Performing Arts.

Maryland’s many cultural institutions, organizations and groups are well-known for their creative vision. Now, these visionaries have moved on-line to bring visual and performing arts into your home.  Below you will find examples of programs you and your family may find exciting, comforting, thought-provoking, fun or downright quirky.  Most are free; some require registration.  Enjoy.

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From Monday, May 4 to Monday, May 11, Baltimore City Public Schools celebrate BMORE ME Fine Arts Week, virtually!

BMORE ME Fine Arts Week was initially planned as a variety of live events spanning all five fine arts disciplines across the 172 schools and programs that comprise Baltimore City Public Schools. Adapting to the current crisis, the week has now gone virtual.

Virtual arts activities throughout the week include video game coding, ballet, theater, yoga and more.

BMORE ME includes the annual exhibit For your inspiration (F.Y.I), celebrating the innovation and skills of Baltimore City Public School students. It also honors the dedication and leadership of the art teachers who inspire and nurture young people and their families to be creative. The gallery honors those young people and art educators on their quest to discover the endless possibilities in the creation of art. Explore the gallery here.

Learn more about BMORE ME Virtal Fine Arts Week, review the daily schedule and join in to celebrate the arts!