March 20, 2022: As of March 20, 2022, mask usage throughout the Center for the Arts is OPTIONAL. Those who are unvaccinated are required to remain masked in accordance with Howard County Government regulations. Please note the following guidelines and requirements for visitors to the Center for the Arts:
- Visitors must practice physical distancing while in public areas of the building (lobby, hallways, galleries, restrooms).
- Visitors must check in at the front desk.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided to visitors.
- If you are feeling sick, please stay home.
- Air purifiers have been placed in public spaces throughout the building.
While mask usage will be optional throughout the Center, Resident Studio Artists, Arts Organizations, and community renters may establish and enforce their own COVID-19 restrictions within their spaces. If you are attending a class or event organized by a group other than Howard County Arts Council, please confirm any additional restrictions that may be in place with the organizers.
Click here for additional COVID-19 information and resources for artists and arts groups.
March 1, 2022: As of March 1, 2022, mask usage remains in effect throughout the public spaces within the Center for the Arts and in any HCAC organized programs. Please note the following guidelines and requirements for visitors to the Center for the Arts:
- Visitors must wear a mask and practice physical distancing while in public areas of the building (lobby, hallways, galleries, restrooms).
- Visitors must check in at the front desk.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided to visitors.
- If you are feeling sick, please stay home.
- Air purifiers have been placed in public spaces throughout the building.
Beginning March 20, 2022, mask usage will be optional throughout the Center, however Resident Studio Artists, Arts Organizations, and community renters may establish and enforce their own COVID-19 restrictions within their spaces.
September 1, 2021: The Center for the Arts is operating at 100% capacity throughout the building, with physical distancing and other safety measures remaining in place. Please note the following guidelines and requirements for visitors to the Center for the Arts:
- Visitors must wear a mask and practice physical distancing (6 feet of space between others) while in public areas of the building (lobby, hallways, galleries, restrooms).
- Visitors must check in at the front desk.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided to visitors.
- If you are feeling sick, please stay home.
- Restrooms and water fountains are available.
- Air purifiers have been placed in public spaces throughout the building.
Please note that while the Center is at 100% capacity, Resident Studio Artists and Arts Organizations may establish and enforce their own COVID-19 restrictions within their spaces at the Center. The same is true for renters at the Center; however, masks and physical distancing are still required in the building for ALL visitors.
June 2021: The Center for the Arts is operating at a 50% capacity limit throughout the building, with physical distancing and other safety measures remaining in place. Effective June 19, hours at the Center for the Arts are: Building hours: Tuesday 10am-10pm | Wednesday 10am-8pm | Thursday 10am-10pm | Saturday 10am-4pm; Gallery hours: Tuesday – Thursday 10am-8pm | Saturday 10am-4pm
December 2020 update: Holiday closure – The Center for the Arts will be closed from December 23 – January 4 and will reopen January 5.
WINTER HOURS AT HCCA: Effective January 5, hours are the Center for the Arts are: Tuesdays 12-8pm | Thursdays 12-8pm | Saturdays 10am-4pm
October 9, 2020 update: 2020 Holiday Closures – The Center for the Arts will be closed on November 26 and from December 23 – January 4. The Center will reopen on January 5 for winter hours, which will be posted soon.
September 1, 2020 update: Fall hours at the Center for the Arts begin today: Tuesdays 1-7pm | Thursdays 1-7pm | Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Before visiting, please review our new guidelines and requirements for visitors below.
June 30, 2020 Update: We are pleased to announce that the Center for the Arts will re-open with limited summer hours beginning July 7. The Center’s summer hours are as follows:
Tuesday, 1-7pm
Wednesday, 1-7pm
Thursday, 1-7pm
Saturday, 10am-2pm
Before visiting, we ask that you review our new guidelines and requirements for visitors below.
2020 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS CAMP CANCELLED: Due to COVID-19 and the restrictions set forth for Maryland State and Howard County camps, we have decided to cancel the Visual and Performing Arts Camp for this year. Refunds for existing registrations have been processed. Please email programs@hocoarts.org with questions.
CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS GALA GOES VIRTUAL: Our Celebration of the Arts gala is officially going virtual for 2020! Join us for an online watch party on Thursday, August 27 at 8pm. The virtual event will include a screening of the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition, presentation of the 2019 Howie Awards, and a modified online art auction. Click here for details and to purchase tickets.
03/19/2020 – COVID-19 Update – including resources for artists/arts organizations & ways to help affected members of the arts community
03/13/2020 – COVID-19 Response Update – including building closure through March 31 & postponement of Celebration of the Arts to July 19
Resources
Research supports what we know in our hearts – the arts provide unique ways to cope with and heal from life’s challenges. Check out the new COVID-19 NeuroArts Field Guide with weekly easy-to-do art activities and simple explanations about the science behind them published by The International Arts + Mind Lab,
Update on COVID-19 Impacts on Maryland’s Arts & Culture Sector – a study published in December 2021 by Maryland Citizens for the Arts
COVID-19 Impacts on Maryland’s Arts + Culture Sector – a study published in January 2021 by Maryland Citizens for the Arts
General Arts Resources:
National Endowment for the Arts – COVID-19 Resources
Americans for the Arts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
Maryland State Arts Council – State of Emergency Statement & Resources
Maryland COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Maryland Citizens for the Arts – COVID-19 Artist Emergency Resources
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance – COVID-19 Response
For Individual Artists:
HoCo RISE Individual Artist Grants – In September, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced 50 Individual Artist Grants of $1,000 each, to be distributed by the Arts Council through the new HoCo RISE COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund. Click here to learn more and apply.
Artist Relief Fund – An emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States.
Creative Capital – Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak – a list of resources for artists and arts professionals
For Non-Profit Arts Organizations:
HoCo RISE Emergency Relief Grants for Arts Organizations – In September, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the availability of emergency grant funding for nonprofit arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to learn more and apply.
The Event Safety Alliance – Reopening Guide – The Event Safety Alliance has released this detailed reopening guide, designed to address health and sanitary issues in order to protect both patrons and workers. The guide includes alternative practices for consideration and draws from contributions from over 300 professionals in the field
Maryland Historical Trust – COVID-19 Emergency Operating Grants – MHAA is offering emergency operating grants up to $20,000 for non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for program guidelines. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with deadlines the first day of each month until funds are exhausted. To begin a new application, click here.
The Event Safety Alliance – Reopening Guide – The Event Safety Alliance has released this detailed reopening guide, designed to address health and sanitary issues in order to protect both patrons and workers. The guide includes alternative practices for consideration and draws from contributions from over 300 professionals in the field
Howard County Economic Development Authority Coronavirus Information Portal
Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Business
Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses
Maryland COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Embrace – Intersections of Art & Wellness Podcast – a podcast for educators in collaboration with the Maryland State Department of Education’s Fine Arts Office EMBRACE professional development workshops. The podcast highlights the facilitators from the Embrace series and gives us a chance to learn more about them as humans, as artists, and as fellow members of the shared experience of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Ways to help artists and arts organizations:
- Howard County Artist Relief Fund – The Arts Council has established the Howard County Artist Relief Fund to assist individual artists whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to make a donation to the fund.
- If you’ve purchased tickets to a cancelled performance, consider converting your purchase into a donation to the presenting organization.
- Patrons of the visual arts might consider purchasing a work of art, either from a local gallery or by contacting an artist via their website. Here are two great artist registries to peruse. Be sure to filter by “Howard County” to see work by county artists: