Partner Organizations

MSAC is an agency of the State of Maryland, under the authority of the Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts. Since it was established in 1967, the purpose of the Council has been “to create a nurturing climate for the arts in the State” as stated in its founding legislation. To carry out its mission, MSAC awards grants to not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations for ongoing arts programming and arts projects. MSAC awards grants to individual artists, and provides technical and advisory assistance to individuals and groups. The Council also carries out programs of its own to enhance the cultural life of the residents of Maryland. MSAC receives its funds in an annual appropriation from the State of Maryland and from grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

AFTA is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. They work to strengthen and support an important network of people—arts professionals, educators, policymakers, civic leaders, parents, and you—all working to increase the participation in and understanding of the arts and arts education. AFTA serves their more than 6,000 members, as well as every American and continues to work diligently to bring all the arts to all the people.

As Maryland’s statewide arts education advocacy organization, AEMS is committed to ensuring that all Maryland public school students have access to high quality arts education by mobilizing power to communities through professional development, leadership development, advocacy programs, and resource building and sharing.

Under the leadership of the State Superintendent of Schools and guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, the Maryland State Department of Education develops and implements standards and policy for education programs from pre-kindergarten through high school.

MDVLA is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to protecting Maryland artists’ legal rights through low cost and pro bono legal referrals and education to artists and nonprofit arts organizations. Their lawyers take on cases for artists as they would for any client. They strive to help artists and organizations overcome legal barriers that limit their ability to create, distribute, or profit from their creativity. MDVLA, along with PNC Bank, team up with MCA to bring free workshops on legal and financial literacy for artists throughout the state, such as the Mind Your Business workshop.

County Arts Agencies of Maryland (CAAM)

CAAM is a non-profit statewide assembly of Arts Councils established to: foster, promote, and develop skills and articulate the needs of the arts communities in Maryland. CAAM works in cooperation with the MSAC and MCA for increased artistic opportunities for all Maryland artists, arts organizations, and citizens.

The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance exists as a catalyst to create a cohesive cultural community that strengthens the livability and economic vitality of the Greater Baltimore region. Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance serves arts organizations, coalitions and individual artists by: being a unifying voice and bridge builder; acting as a convener; providing information and services.

MANO works to promote a thriving and effective nonprofit sector.  Through their nationally acclaimed Standards for Excellence program, education, resources, and consulting, they help build strong organizations at every stage of the lifecycle, from start-up to growth to peak performance and renewal. MANO leads public policy advocacy, raising the collective voice for needed investments, governmental transparency, and community empowerment.  

NASAA is the membership organization that unites, represents and serves the nation’s state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Each of the 56 member states and jurisdictions has created an agency to support excellence in and access to the arts. NASAA’s mission is to strengthen state arts agencies. They represent the individual and collective interests of state arts agencies, empower their work through knowledge, and advance the arts as an essential public benefit.

SAAN is a professional network within Americans for the Arts. They serve as the meeting place for statewide multidiscipline arts service or advocacy organizations to gather to discuss common issues. Members independently lead their state’s arts policy initiatives and gather together to share best practices and advise Americans for the Arts’ State & Local Government Affairs team on key policy initiatives. The network meets three times each year:  at Arts Advocacy Day, at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, and once again in October. This network is crucial in connecting Americans for the Arts with state and local constituents.