Artist Resources: Mayor’s Task Force on Safe Art Spaces Meetings

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Mayor Catherine Pugh has formed a Task Force on Safe Art Spaces to create a citywide network of:

Safe, Cost effective, Contemporary, Living, Live/Work, Studio, and Performance spaces for emerging and established artists.

The Task Force integrates the perspectives of artistic, design, development, financial, regulatory, and revitalization exports to develop straategies, identity resources, and propose a programmatic framework that will develop and sustain spaces that protect the safety of artists and patrons, while meeting the logistical and technical interests of today’s performers and audiences.

Want your voice heard by the Task Force?

Fill out the Safe Space Survey Here

and Join us on the following dates:

Tuesday, March 7 – Discussion of testimony from Public Listening Session, further Workgroup updates–Location TBD

Tuesday, March 21 — Location TBD

Tuesday, April 4 — Location TBD

Tuesday, April 18 –Location TBD

Tuesday, May 2 –Location TBD

Tuesday, May 16 – Final Meeting Date–Location TBD

Five Questions With Shelia Goodwin, BOPA’s Director of Special Events

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1.What does it mean to be the Director of Special Events? And isn’t every event BOPA produces a “special event”?

Being the Director of Special Events means a lot to me, and it’s very exciting as you get the opportunity to be involved in international/national events such as Light City, Star-Spangled Spectacular or a Super Bowl Parade. But you also get the opportunity to do small community events like the MECU Neighborhood Grants where you have twenty people attending a small workshop compared to 100,000 people at major event.    I enjoy seeing people having a good time.  It’s especially exciting  when you’ve booked an attendee’s favorite band, and you see them at the front of the stage dancing,  singing,  and jumping with excitement in  seeing this band, and it’s all free.  It’s so rewarding to see people’s expressions and gratitude for the special events we present.

2. How did you become the Director of Special Events? What’s your history/background? What led you to this position?

It’s very funny because I went to Villa Julie College [now Stevenson University] to become a business legal secretary.   I did my internship here and was hired after I graduated.  I was the secretary for the Events Manager (I think that was her title). Then a Data Process Operator, then an events assistant, then was promoted to an events coordinator, then promoted to events manager and finally the Director of Special events.  So it has evolved over the years; I didn’t go to school for this or anything. So my role here has been a very interesting journey – talk about on-the-job experience!

3. How can your average Baltimorean can take advantage of, or find out about BOPA events?

I think the best way now is social media. Back in the day, you could look at a calendar listing in The Sun papers or in City Paper, but now it is most definitely social media and I think word of mouth too.  When folks have a great time at an event or festival they like to share their experience, especially when they find out a person is not familiar with the event or festival.

4. What goes into planning special events for BOPA?

It depends what the event is, but some consistent things include: attention to details,  a good timeline, sticking to the budget,  the support  of city services and the number one goal is for the people attending the event to have a good time, and plan to come back the next year.

5. What do you wish more people knew about BOPA and all the events that you produce?

I think a lot of people don’t know about us period. We need to do a better job of tooting our own horn.  We do a lot of events and special projects, and offer a lot of services that people don’t know about or think it’s done by “The City” so we need to celebrate and spread the word about ourselves more.

6. Is there any particular event that you’ve had a hand in that is your favorite?

My favorite event is the Monument Lighting and the Baltimore Book Festival.  Initially because they were both held in Mount Vernon and I love the intimacy of that neighborhood.  However, the Book Festival is held at the Inner Harbor now and I love it on the water. Probably the most exciting was when we did the first Super Bowl Parade. That was really, really cool.

6a. Was BOPA involved in both Super Bowl Parades and just the first?

We coordinated both of the Super Bowl Parades – makes me smile thinking about it.

6b. Are you a Ravens fan?

Yes!

6c. A lot of people are saying next year is our year [to win the Super Bowl again], so hopefully.

That would be fun! Another thing we’d like to do, hopefully one day, would be a parade for the Orioles.   We did do one, but we won’t mention how long ago that was. A couple of years  back we got excited about the possible chance of doing something, and I think we even met with the Orioles, but..   Now this is going way back, I’m telling my age.  When Cal Ripken hit 2,131 [games], we did a parade for him- marching bands, floats, etc.   The parade went down Charles Street, and somehow Sports Illustrated got a great picture of the float going down Pratt Street with me and another staff person walking behind the float.  The picture was in the special issue of the magazine dedicated to Cal.   I always said I was going to get a copy of the magazine, but never did.  I’ve done and seen a lot of amazing things working at BOPA.

Call for Artists: MPT Artworks Uncorked & Untapped

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CALL FOR ART, ARTISTS, & RELATED ITEMS

Submission deadline: March 10, 2017

Maryland Public Television (MPT) & the MPT Foundation, Inc. invites artists and art related companies to apply and donate items and time to a fundraising event on March 25 at the MPT station. An evening of fantastic art, food and libations, Artworks Uncorked & Untapped marries regional artists with local breweries and wineries to celebrate Artworks, an MPT original production with host Rhea Feikin.

The goal of Artworks Uncorked & Untapped is to support and raise funds for MPT, through the MPT Foundation. Events such as these provide funding for MPT to offer the programs you watch and love PLUS educational, outreach, telecommunications, and virtual initiatives that touch the lives of thousands of Marylanders. For this event to be successful, the support of the artistic community is greatly needed.

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Book Festival Applications Open!

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The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts announces that applications are now available for literary exhibitors, booksellers and tablers for the 22nd Annual Baltimore Book Festival, a literary feast with gourmet eats. The festival takes place Friday, September 22 through Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 11am to 7pm daily at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Applications are available for authors, booksellers, independent presses and publishers, non-profit or cultural organizations and vendors selling literary-themed items who wish to participate in a single day or all three days of the festival. Tablers receive one 6-foot table within a larger tent on the promenade for one day of the event. Exhibitors may purchase a space in 10 x 10 increments. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until Friday, June 2, 2017 or sellout. Applications are available at www.baltimorebookfestival.org/applications.

The Baltimore Book Festival is Baltimore’s premier celebration of the literary arts and features hundreds of appearances by local, celebrity and nationally-known authors, book signings, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, nonstop readings on multiple stages, cooking demos by top chefs and culinary-themed panel discussions, workshops, hands-on projects for kids, live music and a thoughtfully curated local food and beverage program. Admission to the festival is free.

The Baltimore Book Festival is produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts. For more information on the Baltimore Book Festival call 410-752-8632 or visit baltimorebookfestival.org.  Stay connected via social by following Baltimore Book Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Artist Resources: Art Law Clinic

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Got legal issues? The MDVLA is here to help!
Saturday February 18, from 1-4pm – 30 minutes for $5
Maryland Art Place (218 W. Saratoga St., Baltimore, MD 21201). Anyone interested in making an appointment should email Victoria at victoria@mdvla.org.

Call for Artists: Bethesda Painting Awards

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The Bethesda Painting Awards was established by Carol Trawick in 2005. Ms. Trawick has served as a community activist for more than 25 years in downtown Bethesda. She is past Chair of the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, past Chair of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and Founder of The Trawick Prize. Additionally, the Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation was established in 2007 after the Trawicks sold their successful information technology company.

Catriona Fraser, award-winning photographer, curator and juror is the nonvoting Chair of the The Trawick Prize. Ms. Fraser is the owner of the Fraser Gallery.

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