Arts Grant Given To 2 Howard County Groups To Help Following Federal Budget Cuts

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and the Baltimore Center Stage each have been awarded a $12,500 one-time arts grant made possible through a partnership between Howard County Government and Howard County Arts Council.

The grant provides programmatic support and supplemental funding to regional arts organizations impacted by federal government funding cuts so they can continue their operations, programs and outreach to Howard County residents.

“The arts are a vital aspect of our community, fostering creativity, cultural understanding and social cohesion. As cornerstones of cultural access, these two institutions have inspired generations to embrace their creative expression and opened doors to the transformative power of the arts for audiences of all backgrounds,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball during a news conference announcing the grants. “While these grants do not fully replace the depth of loss of federal funding, they send a powerful message that Howard County supports the arts and believes in our vision of inclusive, accessible arts programming for all.”

Recent budget cuts and policy changes implemented by the new federal administration have left arts organizations throughout the region without vital funding, due to lack of available funds or ineligibility due to new grant requirements. Impacted funding sources include grants provided by National Endowment for the Arts.

In response, the county and HCAC launched the Baltimore Supplemental Arts Grant program, available to Baltimore City arts and cultural organizations that receive operating funding through HCAC’s fiscal year 2025 Baltimore City Arts and Cultural Grants and Outreach Howard Grants programs, recently lost federal funding, and serve Howard County residents through programming and outreach opportunities. Last year, 12 Baltimore City arts and cultural organizations received support from the county and HCAC. The county and HCAC committed $25,000 to support this Baltimore Supplemental Arts Grant in FY2025.

“In 1992, the Howard County Arts Council partnered with Howard County Government to start the Baltimore City Arts and Cultural Grants program. Supporting Maryland’s top arts and cultural treasures that are in the city and provide significant services to Howard County residents was a priority for the county then and now,” said Coleen West, executive director of the HCAC. “Thousands of Howard County residents are enriched by the world class art collections, concerts, performances and cultural experiences our state treasures offer. We are committed to being a good regional partner and providing our community with access to these great public amenities.”