1. One Voice for All the Arts in Maryland

2. Who is MCA?
Maryland Citizens for the Arts is a statewide arts advocacy and education organization. Founded over 40 years ago to provide “One Voice for all the Arts in Maryland,” MCA works to highlight the role the arts play in economic vitality of the state and the increased quality of life they provide for all Marylanders. Mission: Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is an arts advocacy organization committed to expanding the nonprofit arts sector through public investment and service, thereby enhancing lifelong learning, quality of life, and economic vitality for all Maryland citizens. Vision: MCA will enhance the cultural and civic benefits of the transformative power of the arts, celebrating the myriad of ways a strong arts sector supports vibrant communities, a full quality education, and a thriving economy. MCA will be a leader among its peers through innovative approaches to arts advocacy for the 21st century.
MCA is the statewide arts advocacy organization of Maryland - our work highlights the role the arts play in the live of Marylanders. MCA promotes this in terms of quality of life, education and economic impact.

3. Our Work
MCA’s advocacy services fall within two categories: educating (lobbying) state lawmakers about the importance of public funding for the arts and supporting the organizational needs of the arts sector, including artists, organizations, administrators, and volunteers. MCA provides “One Voice for all the Arts in Maryland.” We serve Marylanders interested in the arts and the role they play in economic vitality, education, and quality of life. MCA’s research culls topical data and its educational programs not only provide informational updates about arts funding, key state appointments and activities, and status reports from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), but also nurtures connections among arts professionals, arts supporters, and artists, as well as their audiences.
Our advocacy is two parts
Education and lobbying state lawmakers about the importance of public art funding
Supporting the arts sector (including artists, organizations administrators and volunteers)
One voice for all the arts in MD- ensuring that public state funding is appropriated to the Maryland State Arts Council – who has a rigorous granting program for organizations and individual artists- this helps us be good stewards to public money

4. State Arts Funding
State funding for the arts comes in the form of an annual appropriation to the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC).
MSAC then grants this money to more than 300 organizations across the state. Organization are found in all 23 counties + Baltimore City.
MSAC also uses its funding to award individual artist grants, as well as arts education grants.

5. Maryland General Assembly Timeline
Late February to Early March
Committee and Subcommittee meetings; budget testimonies and hearings
Mid to Late March
Conference Committees and final votes on House and Senate Floor
April 9th
Adjournment “Sine Die”
September – December
Governor and Administration budget discussions and proposals (internal)
January 10th
General Assembly convenes
January 17th
Governor’s final day to introduce budget (by law must be presented to G.A. by the third Wednesday in January)

6. Arts Legislation
1994 Arts Stabilization Law – Says that the Maryland State Arts Council’s (MSAC) budget must grow by the same percentage as the general fund for the state. This law was created to ensure a stable growth rate for public funding for the arts.
Arts & Entertainment Districts – In 2001, Maryland pioneered a statewide arts and entertainment district program that empowers Maryland localities with a set of tax incentives to encourage artists, arts organizations, and other creative enterprises to locate in a targeted area. A&E Districts help develop and promote community involvement, tourism, and revitalization.
Chapter 145 – Passed during the 2016 General Assembly Session, set into course for increased growth formula for public arts funding for the arts for the subsequent five fiscal years. In addition to the arts stabilization formula, a minimum of $1 million in additional funding would go to MSAC, for distribution for its funding of organizations and artists.
Arts policy and legislation that MCA had a large impact on

7. What You Can Do Each Month
September: Sign up and become an e-advocate! This ensures that you will receive important updates and briefings. October: Attend some of your favorite Maryland arts events! Attending events is great advocacy—Tweet, post, and share your favorite arts moments and tag your local representative. November: Attend MCA’s capacity building conference, ArtsLAB. December: Now is a good time to reacquaint yourself with your legislators. Send out a holiday greeting to them and THANK THEM for their support for the arts in Maryland. January: Register for Maryland Arts Day and sign up for MCA’s Pre-Legislative Briefing webinar. February: Attend Maryland Arts Day and tell your legislators why the arts matter in your community! March: Attend budget committee hearings in Annapolis and National Arts Advocacy Day in DC. April: SINE DIE! It’s the official end to the Maryland General Assembly Session – make sure to send letters of thanks to your legislators once Session has finished. May/June/July/August: Ask the candidates in your district if they support the arts. If they do, volunteer for their campaign. If they don’t, re-inform them on the importance of the arts in your district.

8. Impact of MSAC Funding by the Numbers
Number of full-time equivalent jobs generated by arts organizations:
16,624
Number of attendees at arts events every year in Maryland:
8.1 million
Amount arts audiences in Maryland spent:
$422 million
State and local tax revenues generated from arts events annually:
$56 million
Direct spending into the economy from arts organizations:
$879 million   
Amount generated in economic activity for every $1 in arts operating budgets:
$3.83
Return to Marylanders and the State from a very small investment in the Arts Council budget:
Priceless
Economic Impact Numbers as compiled by the Maryland Department of Commerce, based on FY 2016 data.
Pick 3-4 impact numbers

9. Per Capita Funding by State
Bottom 5
Top 5
Minnesota - $7.04
$39,275,000 Appropriation
2. Hawaii - $4.22
$6,027,111 Appropriation
3. Maryland - $3.64
$22,047,233 Appropriation
4.Delaware – $3.37
$3,246,500 Appropriation
5. Massachusetts- $2.34
$16,050,000 Appropriation
46. Washington - $0.22
$1,596,000 Appropriation
47. Texas - $0.18
$5,208,066 Appropriation
48. Wisconsin - $0.13
$763,000 Appropriation
49. Georgia - $0.12
$1,211,310 Appropriation
50. Kansas - $0.06
$188,841 Appropriation

10. MCA utilizes ArtsLAB as an inclusive space for open dialogue around topics that influence and enhance the Maryland arts sector. There are elements for arts administrators, artists, board members, volunteers, funders, and advocates.
Topic: Unheard Voices Date: Thursday, November 8, 2018 Location: The Gordon Center, Owings Mills, Maryland

11. Maryland Arts Day is the largest annual gathering of arts professionals in Maryland. With more than 500 participants, representing every county in the state, this state-wide arts advocacy event connects artists, educators, administrators, volunteers, and trustees with lawmakers from every legislative district in Maryland.
Maryland Arts Day needs your participation to show strong support for the arts in Maryland and the impact they have on the economic and cultural vitality of the state.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Annapolis, MD

12. Maryland Arts Summit 2 day Maryland Arts Sector Conference
Partnering with MSAC, MSDE, AEMS
Call for proposals: Early October
Summit date: June 7-8 at UMBC

13. Contact: info@mdarts.org
Thank You!
To Contact MCA
mdarts.org
Facebook.com/MDArts
@artsadvocate_MD
Contact: