| BALTIMORE, MD Wed, Mar 19, 2008 Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the members of the Maryland Commission on Public Art, which is charged with implementing the State’s first formal public art program through community sculptures, murals and other works. Although created by legislation in 2005, the Commission was inactive until the O’Malley-Brown Transition Report identified it as a key initiative to move forward. The Commission held its first meeting today, and will meet on a regular basis throughout the year.
“We are fortunate to have been able to bring together some of Maryland’s most dedicated artists, business professionals and government and elected officials to guide us in the important task of developing the State’s first public art program,” said Governor O’Malley. “Moving this program forward has been one of my priorities and is an integral part of expanding the State’s national reputation as an arts leader.”
The Commission includes seven publicly appointed members, four institutional members and one Emeritus member. Chairing the Maryland Commission on Public Art will be Catherine Sharp Leggett, who serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for ICMA Retirement Corporation. Ms. Leggett, a Montgomery County resident, is also a strong supporter of the arts who formerly served as a member of the Maryland State Arts Council.
"Public art has the unique ability to transform civic spaces into environments that can enhance the cultural landscape of Maryland communities," said Ms. Leggett. "I am excited to work with such a strong group to shape a formal public art program for the State of Maryland."
The Commission’s public members include:
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Barbara Bozzuto, WYPR Chair and business consultant
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Alex Castro, Designer/Creative Director, Castro/Arts; Founding Partner, Urbanite LLC
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Ann S. Coates, gallery owner and chair of Snow Hill’s Arts and Entertainment District
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Bill Gilmore, Executive Director, Baltimore Office of Promotions & the Arts
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Randall Griffin, CEO, Corporate Office Properties Trust
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Donna LaVerne Rice, artist and former Columbia councilwoman, also served as a former member of the Maryland State Arts Council.
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J. Rodney Little, Maryland Historical Trust
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Sen. Richard Madaleno, member of the Maryland State Arts Council
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Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, Maryland State Archives
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Office of the Comptroller (designee to be determined)
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William E. Kirwan, Chancellor, University of Maryland System
Under the direction of the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency of DBED, the Commission will develop guidelines and procedures for commissioning permanent works of art in conjunction with State construction projects of the Maryland Department of Transportation, Department of General Services and the University of Maryland system. Additionally, the Commission will develop guidelines for a local government matching grant fund for community-based public art projects.
The mission of the Maryland State Arts Council is to encourage and invest in the advancement of the arts for the people of Maryland. In FY 2007, the Maryland arts industry contributed more than $1.2 billion to the State’s economy and provided more than 15,000 jobs to Maryland residents. For more information about the Maryland State Arts Council visit the MSAC web site at www.msac.org or call (410) 767-6555 or TDD/TTY (410) 333-4519.
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