Governor Martin O’Malley today invited public input on the recently unveiled Imagine Maryland, a community collaboration and cultural planning initiative to identify opportunities and ideas that will enhance the role of the arts in Maryland. The Governor is encouraging all Marylanders to participate in an on-line survey or attend one of eight upcoming arts forums being hosted by the Maryland State Arts Council.

“Working with artists and advocates, educators and business leaders, students and seniors, the State launched Imagine Maryland this spring to design a blueprint for the arts,” said Governor O’Malley. “Almost 500 people have added their ideas to this statewide strategic plan at public forums held in every region. I invite everyone who is interested in the arts to participate on-line or in person and add your insight to our collective vision.”

Available at www.msac.org, the surveys are designed to identify the characteristics, interests and issues impacting artists and arts organizations, as well as arts patrons. Easily available online, the survey takes only five to seven minutes to complete. Survey results will be available online after Oct. 15.

Eight public forums on topics including folk and traditional arts, arts in education, disabilities, emerging ethnic communities and public art will be conducted from Aug. 12 to Aug. 21 at various locations including the State Arts Council, Chesapeake Center for the Arts, Creative Alliance and Annapolis Maritime Museum.

MSAC’s mission is to encourage and invest in the advancement of the arts by supporting artists and arts organizations, ensuring accessibility of the arts for all citizens and promoting statewide awareness of arts resources and opportunities. An agency of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts, it is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. In 2007, non-profit arts organizations and programs that
received state grants contributed more than $1.2 billion to Maryland’s economy and employed 15,000 residents.

For information call (410) 767-6555 or TTY (410) 333-4519.

Please RSVP to MSAC at (410) 767-6555 or msac@msac.org to confirm your attendance. Please contact MSAC at (410) 767-6555 or msac@msac.org one week in advance if you have special needs.

Tuesday, Aug. 12
Arts Education (School-Based, K-12) Roundtable - 10:00 am-Noon
Disabilities and the Arts Focus Group - 2:00-4:00 pm
Maryland State Arts Council, 175 West Ostend Street Baltimore

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Presenting Organizations Focus Group - 1:00-3:00 pm
Small and Emerging Ethnic Communities - 5:00-7:00 pm
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore

Wednesday, Aug. 13
Folk and Traditional Arts Focus Group - 10:00 am – Noon
Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second Street, Annapolis

Monday, Aug. 18
Maryland Film Makers Forum - 6:30-8:30 pm
Creative Alliance, The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore

Wednesday, Aug. 20
Artists Focus Group - Noon-2:00 pm
Chesapeake Center for the Arts, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park

Thursday, Aug. 21
Public Art Forum - 10:00 am-Noon
Maryland State Arts Council, 175 W. Ostend Street, Suite E, Baltimore