| BALTIMORE, MD Thu, Jun 5, 2008 Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that 97 Maryland artists will be recognized at the 2008 Maryland Individual Artist Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 14, 3-5 pm at the Maryland Institute College of Art’s (MICA) Brown Center. Hosted by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development (DBED), this year’s ceremony and performance is free and open to the public. A reception follows at the Brown Center, located at 1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue.
In announcing the 2008 honorees, Governor O’Malley said, “Individuals – whether photographer or playwright, dancer or dramatist, singer or soloist – are the very core of every creative endeavor in our state. By recognizing and supporting their artistry, we provide the necessary tools for individuals to continue to sharpen their skills so that others may find inspiration and beauty in their shared works.”
The Individual Artist Awards program honors the accomplishments of Maryland artists and provides individual grant awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 to further advance their artistic endeavors. A total of $250,000 was awarded through the program this year in the following categories: Dance Solo Performance, Fiction, Media, Solo Instrumental Performance, Solo Vocal Performance, Solo Theatre Performance, Computer Arts, Photography and Sculpture.
“For more than 25 years, the Individual Artist Awards have recognized artistic excellence and promoted Maryland as fertile ground for emerging and established artists,” said Clarence Bishop, Deputy Secretary for DBED. “This program is a tremendous opportunity not only to acknowledge their contributions and impact on Maryland’s outstanding quality of life, but allows us to convene the arts community in the hopes that future collaboration or inspiration will emerge from their connections.”
Deputy Secretary Bishop will join MSAC chair-elect Scott Johnson, MSAC Executive Director Theresa Colvin and emcee Tom Hall, WYPR radio host Baltimore Choral Arts Society Music Director, for the program. This year’s program includes performances by 2008 IAA recipients and features:
- Ishikawa by Cathy Fink, performed by Cathy Fink, IAA recipient in Solo Music—Folk, and Marcy Marxer.
- Flava, choreographed and performed by Gesel Mason, IAA recipient in Solo Dance Performance.
- Rondeña, composed and performed by Richard Marlow, IAA recipient in Solo Instrumental Performance.
- Music at the reception after the ceremony will be provided by the Carl Grubbs Youth Ensemble: Carl Grubbs – Piano, Blake Meister – Bass, Brandon Johnson – Drums , David Diongue – Alto Sax, Chester Saunders – Alto Sax and Alexander David – Trumpet.
Artists who apply for the awards must be Maryland residents. Juries of out-of-state peers and experts judge the artists’ work anonymously. Applications and information for the 2009 awards are available at www.msac.org. The 2009 categories are: dance (choreography); music composition (classical, non-classical, world music); playwriting; poetry; visual arts (crafts, photography, sculpture).
An agency of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts, the MSAC is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. In 2007, non-profit arts organizations and arts programs that received operating support from the Maryland State Arts Council contributed more than $1.2 billion to the State’s economy and provided 15,000 jobs to Maryland residents. For information about the State Arts Council call (410) 767-6555 or TTY (410) 333-4519 or visit www.msac.org.
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