ARTsites 2026: Artists & Sites Needed
Deadline: March 2
The Arts Council is seeking applications from artists and sites for ARTsites 2026, a one-year outdoor sculpture exhibit on display from August 2026 to July 2027. Selected artists will be awarded a $3,000 grant to participate in the ARTsites exhibit.
Application information here:
More about the current ARTsites 2025 sculptures and sites here:
ARTsites 2025 | Howard County Arts Council
“Dragonfly” by Kirk Seese at Howard County Public School System Administration Building (HoCo Arts)
C-Birds by Bobby Donovan is about duality. It addresses the idea of component parts working together as a symbolic whole. To create a visual metaphor for this, Donovan has chosen two distinct entities; seabirds and the oceans they depend on. To emphasize their interdependency both are represented by the same shape – a flattened u-shaped contour. C-Birds is installed at COPT Defense Properties located at 6731 Columbia Gateway Dr in Columbia.
Moon Beacon by Bobby Donovan is inspired by the ancient navigational towers built by the sea. Whether a once-grand lighthouse or a simple stone cairn, these enduring structures evoke a powerful sense of animism – just as the moon itself, a timeless watcher, guides us along our way. Moon Beacon is installed at Savage Mill located at 8600 Foundry St. in Savage.
ARTsites 2025 will be on display through July 2026. Complete list of sculptures and site locations are here.
Meet Us at the Cap! HoCo Arts Heads to Historic Ellicott City’s Capitoline Center
Exciting changes are ahead for HoCo Arts! Beginning this winter, we’ll be moving to our new home — the Capitoline Center, formerly the Circuit Courthouse in Historic Ellicott City. We look forward to celebrating with you in 2026 as the doors open to the public at 8360 Court Avenue.
Before we transition to the new location, public programming at our current location at 8510 High Ridge Road will come to an end on November 16. So don’t miss the final public event on Friday, November 14, at the Center – the Holiday Open House and closing reception for our gallery exhibits Art Howard County and Sibling Revelry!
The Holiday Open House begins with Open Studios (5–8pm) including resident artists Cheri Glover, Sherry Jankiewicz, Jereme Scott, Andrei Trach, Mary Jo Tydlacka, David Zuccarini, and arts organizations Ballet Mobile and Columbia Pro Cantare. It’s the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping and one last visit before we begin our big move!
The exhibit reception (6–8pm) features light refreshments and the Art HoCo Awards Ceremony with juror Liz Henzey.
(Image courtesy of Howard County Government)
IAM Creativity Grant Program: Literary & Theatre Arts
Application Deadline: December 17
Launched in 2023, the Individual Artist Merit and Creativity (IAM Creativity) program celebrates and supports local artists across a wide range of disciplines. Open to artists aged 18 and older residing in Howard County, the program offers unrestricted funding to help further their creative endeavors. IAM Creativity awards $5,000 and $1,000 grants in selected disciplines each year. This year, applications for Literary and Theatre Arts are being accepted through December 17, 2025.
In previous years, IAM Creativity grants were awarded in the following disciplines:
- Dance (2024-25)
- Visual Arts (2024-25)
- Film/Video and New Media (2025-26)
- Music & Music Composition (2025-26)
2027-28 will feature support for Folk & Traditional Arts.
For more information on the IAM Creativity program and to apply, visit hocoarts.org/iam-creativity.
HoCo Arts is inviting artists, creatives, and community members to get involved through a series of engaging events this October. These gatherings are designed to foster meaningful discussion, identify challenges, and explore opportunities within the local arts scene. Your input is vital in ensuring the Arts & Culture Plan reflects the real needs of Howard County’s creative community.
State of the Howard County Creative Community
Date: Wednesday, October 8
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Merriweather Post Pavillion
This session is a convening open to the wider creative community. Stations will be organized around the space and small group conversations will occur in those zones with a drop box for your ideas and thoughts. We will explore together across these topics:
- What cultural traditions and practices do we need to uplift and protect?
- What challenges do we need to overcome together to make creativity more accessible to all?
- If you had one bold wish for the creative future of Howard County, what would it be?
- What role should artists and cultural workers play in shaping the broader community?
Prosperity & the Arts: Tourism, Creative Industries, and Vitality
Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time: 9-10:30 am
Location: Cured 18 | 21 Restaurant
Join us for a private breakfast and conversation on how arts and culture fuel economic growth, attract tourism, and enrich community life. This session will include:
- A brief presentation on the Arts & Culture Plan’s goals and progress
- Small group discussions on the intersection of arts, business, and local vitality
- An array of breakfast items to suit all dietary requirements will be on offer, alongside tea, coffee and soft drinks will be provided.
This is a space for creatives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to connect and collaborate.
Whether you’re a visual artist, performer, writer, maker, or someone who supports the arts—your perspective is essential. The Arts & Culture Plan will set the stage for how Howard County supports and invests in creativity for years to come.
More than 500 community members have already shared their voice to help shape the Howard County Arts & Culture Plan—have you?
Take the survey and learn more about the Howard County Arts & Culture Plan here: hocoarts.org/support/arts-culture-plan
Get ready to give your input on the state of the arts in HoCo. Focus Groups will be held virtually and in person throughout the county and you’re invited!
Join the Howard County Arts Council for our Annual Meeting and FY2026 Grant Awards Ceremony on September 19, 2025, from 6-8pm at the Howard County Center for the Arts.
Opening remarks by Arts Council Board President Adam Stull will be followed by the presentation of grant awards by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball (invited). State and local public officials and leaders in the arts will be attending to recognize and celebrate Howard County’s vibrant arts community.
In addition to the presentation of the Arts Council’s FY2026 grant awards, the evening will feature a reception for two new exhibits, Clarity & Perspective and ImPRINT. The Center for the Arts’ resident artists will also host Open Studios from 7-8pm. Both exhibits are on view August 15 through September 27.
The reception is also part of the annual Road to the Arts celebrating the beginning of the 2025-2026 gallery season. Participating galleries will host special events and exhibits from September 13-21. Complete details can be found in our Road to the Arts map, which also includes the locations for ARTsites 2025, our annual public art exhibit. For a free copy, visit hocoarts.org or email info@hocoarts.org.
28th annual Celebration of the Arts
October 25, 2025, 6-10pm
Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center
Howard Community College
Join us at 6pm for an unforgettable evening that begins with a 2-hour reception where guests can bid on artwork during the Art Auction and enjoy gourmet creations from some of Howard County’s top culinary artists.
At 8 pm, the spotlight turns to the Rising Star Competition, showcasing the county’s most promising emerging talent. The evening will also include the presentation of the Howie Awards, honoring individuals who create, teach, and support the arts in our community. As the night draws to a close, you’ll help decide the next Rising Star, who will receive a $5,000 cash prize!
Kristi Smith, President of the Maryland Region for Howard Hughes, will serve as Honorary Chair, and Terry N. Eberhardt will reprise his role as Event Emcee.
$100 ticket includes reception and live performance in the Smith Theatre. $50 ticket includes the reception and simulcast viewing in the Studio Theatre. Reserve your seats at hocoarts.org/celebration or call (410)313-2787.
Interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer? Visit the website or contact us directly to get involved. Proceeds support the Howard County Arts Council’s grant and arts education initiatives.
September 17, 4:30-6:30pm at Busboys and Poets, Columbia
The Youth Poet Laureate, an honorary one-year position formally appointed by the County Executive, will act as an ambassador for literacy, arts, and youth expression. The Youth Poet Laureate will demonstrate a passion for poetry and its power to connect our communities through local public readings and participation in civic events.
This event is free and open to the public; however, registration is required to attend the event. Register here
HoCo Arts is seeking volunteers to assist at the 28th annual Celebration of the Arts gala on October 24 and 25, 2025, at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD. Volunteers will help with set-up, breakdown, hospitality, the bar, and so much more. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, support one of Howard County’s premier arts events, and have fun while doing it!
Volunteer shifts are:
- SET UP – Friday, October 24, 2025, from 4-7pm
- SET UP – Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11am-2:30pm
- SET UP – Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2-5:30pm
- EVENT – Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 5-11pm
- USHERS – Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 6:45pm-11pm
The Celebration of the Arts is the Arts Council’s signature event and a major source of annual corporate support. In its 27 years, the event has netted more than $1.9 million. The evening begins with a reception from 6-8pm featuring food from 15-20 local culinary sponsors, live entertainment, and an Art Auction. At 8pm, guests take their seats for the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition and the presentation of the 2025 Howie Awards in recognition of those who create, teach, and support the arts in Howard County.
Interested volunteers should visit hocoarts.org/celebration-volunteer for more information and to fill out the Volunteer Form.