Founded in 1981, the Howard County Arts Council is a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving and enriching our community by advancing the arts. As the primary arts funder in Howard County, we distribute more than $900k annually to local and regional arts organizations and local schools and individual artists. We promote the arts and serve as an advocate for the arts on a state and local level. And we provide a home for the arts at our multidisciplinary art center in Ellicott City, which features two galleries, a black box theatre, three classrooms, a dance studio, a large multipurpose meeting space, artist studios, and offices for three local arts organizations and the Arts Council. At the art center, we present 10-12 exhibits each year, provide low-cost meeting and studio space for artists and arts organizations, and offer year-round arts classes for people of all ages and skill levels. Each year, nearly 30,000 people visit the center to view an exhibit, take a class or enjoy a performance.
The Arts Council is a trusted leader and convener with strong connections to area arts and community organizations, ensuring everyone can be a part of art in Howard County. Formal partnerships include the Howard County Government, Community Action Council HeadStart, 25 local arts organizations, 23 Community Arts Agencies of Maryland, 12 Baltimore City arts and culture organizations, seven arts advancement organizations, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Maryland State Arts Council, among many others. In addition, the Arts Council informally collaborates with dozens of local businesses, creatives, and nonprofits, providing technical assistance, facilitating relationships, offering resources and best practices, and securing funding.