Join us for the 2017 Maryland Arts Day! Join hundreds of your fellow arts advocates in giving the arts a strong voice. This year’s Maryland Arts Day marks MCA’s 40th birthday. Come out and help us celebrate the tremendous support for the arts in our state!
Featuring Keynote Speaker John Schratwieser, Executive Director, Maryland Citizens for the Arts — “The Role of the Citizen Artist”
John joined Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) as Executive Director in June 2010. For seven years, he has led the state’s efforts to secure strong, consistent public funding for the arts; an effort that, with the help of hundreds of organizations and thousands of advocates, has increased state funding for the arts by nearly 60% since the depth of the 2008 recession. John has more than 25 years of experience in the field of arts and non-profit management.
Prior to joining MCA, John spent five years as the Executive Director at the Prince Theatre Foundation in Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He also has previously worked at Lincoln Center Theatre in New York and Signature Theatre in Arlington (VA). John received a B.A. from Fairfield University and an M.P.A. from The George Washington University. John has also performed, as an actor and singer, for most of his life, rounding out his understanding of, and affinity for, arts organizations of all shapes and sizes.
As he departs from his role at MCA this spring, John will be leading a new effort to create a citizen artist focused residency program, Maryland’s first, in the town of Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. ARTikulturMD, in collaboration with the Kent County Arts Council, will provide a space to create for artists of all disciplines from around Maryland and across the country who seek to use their art to create arts-base solutions to social and civic challenges.
It is with great pleasure that Maryland Citizens for the Arts announces the 2017 winner of the Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award. To read more about Busy, please visit our Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award page.
Agenda
8:15am – Registration and networking breakfast
9:000am – Opening remarks and greetings from elected officials
9:30am – Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award presentation
9:45am – Keynote address
10:15am – Budget realities and legislative talking points
10:45am – County delegation coordination
11:45am – Legislative visits
1:00pm – Networking lunch
It is with great pleasure that Maryland Citizens for the Arts announces the 2017 winner of the Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award.
So, what is Maryland Arts Day?
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.
What do I do at Maryland Arts Day?
At Maryland Arts Day, you spend the day networking with colleagues from around the state, all while learning about the arts advocacy process. After a networking breakfast, participants will gather for the morning session which includes greetings from lawmakers, presentation of the Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award, a keynote speech featuring this year’s theme (Citizen Artists), and a state budget overview. After all of this great information, we will prep you with talking points and best practices for meetings with your legislators.
The next portion of the day will be meetings in your county delegation rooms with your legislators. Guided by the county arts council directors that represent your district, you will have an opportunity to tell legislators about the importance of the arts in Maryland, and specifically your community. Follow the talking points we give you in the morning and share the great stories about the impact of the arts in your community!
The day will close with a networking lunch back in the Miller Senate Building. Meet with your colleagues and discuss everything you have learned and experienced at Maryland Arts Day. This is also a great opportunity to let others know all of the fantastic things you have going on at your organization or with your artwork.
What are three things that I can expect to get from Maryland Arts Day if I attend?
1. Networking, networking, networking! Network with your fellow arts advocates and legislators from across the state.
2. Learn lots of facts about the impact of the arts in our state and about this year’s state budget for the arts.
3. Strategize and plan with experienced arts advocates about how to make a strong case in support of funding for the arts in Maryland.
For more details on the event click here.