As an arts advocate, the Howard County Arts Council is committed to helping community leaders and elected officials understand the many ways the arts contribute to our quality of life – we invite you to join us.
At the Arts Council’s September 15th annual meeting, County Executive Allan Kittleman along with Council member Mary Kay Sigaty announced $583,600 in grant awards to 49 local and regional arts organizations and PTAs that provide vital arts and arts education programs in our community.
As a friend of the Arts Council, you are in a unique position to help us create awareness of the positive impact of the arts and to build grassroots support for the arts. We invite you to write and thank our local public officials for supporting the arts through their leadership and their longstanding partnership with the Arts Council.
Take action now – write to County Executive Kittleman and your local council member today! (see sample letters at the bottom of this post)
Send Emails to:
County Executive Allan Kittleman: akittleman@howardcountymd.gov
County Council:
District 1 – Jon Weinstein: jweinstein@howardcountymd.gov
District 2 – Calvin Ball: cbball@howardcountymd.gov
District 3 – Jen Terrasa: jterrasa@howardcountymd.gov
District 4 – Mary Kay Sigaty: mksigaty@howardcountymd.gov
District 5 – Greg Fox: gfox@howardcountymd.gov
– OR –
Mail letters to:
[NAME]
George Howard Building
3430 Court House Dr
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Below are sample thank you letters for Arts Council grant recipients (A) and the general public (B). Form letters can serve as good models for composing your own personal response, but using your own words has more impact than simply forwarding a form letter – be sure to personalize your letter.
A) Sample Grantee Letter:
Dear County Executive Kittleman – OR – Council member [Name],
On behalf of [your organization’s NAME], I am writing to thank you for funding the arts through the FY18 arts appropriation of $832,000 to the Howard County Arts Council, which includes funds for a number of grant programs that support the work of local and regional organizations and PTAs that provide arts programs in our community.
The arts help put the “quality” in Howard County’s quality of life. In addition, a growing body of research shows that the arts have a positive impact on our economy, on student achievement and academic success, and on the overall health and wellness of our community.
For groups that receive OPERATING GRANTS:
Along with increasing the scope of our artistic services, the Arts Council’s Community Arts Development Grant Program has provided [NAME] with a stable source of operating funds essential to meet the needs of our day-to-day activities. This grant program is [one of the only sources OR the only source] of general operating funds available to us. [Use your own words to describe what the grant means to your organization, describe your programs and tell the Executive and Council members what impact your organization has on the community.]
For groups that receive PROJECT GRANTS:
[SELECT ONE – The Artist in Education OR Community Arts Development Grant Program] has provided [NAME] with funds to broaden opportunities for our friends and neighbors to engage in the arts. Project grants that we receive through the Arts Council support [Program Name or describe your season of activities} and are [one of the only sources OR the only source] of grant funds available to us. [Use your own words to describe what the grant means to your organization and its programs and tell the Executive and Council members what impact your organization/program has on the community.]
Over the years, both the County Executive and County Council have shown significant leadership and support for the arts. I want to take this time to personally thank YOU for supporting the arts through your partnership with the Howard County Arts Council. Your support ensures that our arts community is vital and diverse and the arts are accessible to all Howard Countians.
Sincerely,
B) Sample Letter from the General Public:
Dear County Executive Kittleman – OR – Council member [Name],
As an arts supporter and your constituent, I would like to thank you for supporting the arts this year through your partnership with the Howard County Arts Council. The County’s FY18 arts appropriation of $832,000 will support a wide variety of programs and services that foster the arts, artists, and arts organizations and ensure greater public access and participation in the arts.
Howard County is a thriving, diverse place and our vibrant arts community is an integral part of what makes living, working, learning and playing here so special. In addition, a growing body of research shows that the arts have a positive impact on our economy, on student achievement and academic success, and on the overall health and wellness of our community.
For me, the arts… [Use your own words to describe what the arts mean to you and your family.]
Over the years, both the County Executive and County Council have shown significant leadership and support for the arts. I want to take this time to personally thank YOU for supporting the arts through your partnership with the Howard County Arts Council.
Sincerely,