The Howard County Arts & Culture Plan seeks to identify and catalog the county’s existing arts and cultural assets, develop strategies to support and grow creative resources, guide future investments, and meet the evolving needs of our diverse arts communities. Learn more and complete the survey today!
To support this effort, Howard County is launching a Mini-Grant Program designed to help organizations promote the Arts & Culture Master Plan. Applicants can apply through one of three distinct pathways: Community Advocate, Community Convener, or Competition Entry.
Community Advocate: Approximately six applicants will each receive $150 and a media toolkit to share plan-related content through their networks — a minimum of six posts over six weeks (tracked via Arts Council tags).
Community Convener: Five applicants will receive $750 to help them facilitate a community conversation and provide a report on their findings to the planning team.
Ellicott City’s annual plein air event, Paint It! Ellicott City 2025 is just around the corner, from June 5–8. During the event, visitors can stroll the streets of Old Ellicott City, explore local shops and eateries, and interact with artists as they bring the town’s architecture, landscapes, and unique character to life on canvas and other artforms.
An exhibit showcasing the work of 28 juried artists will be hosted at the Center for the Arts from June 9 through August 2. A public reception will be held on Monday, June 9, from 6–8 p.m., where guests can enjoy live music, light refreshments, and the much-anticipated presentation of awards by guest juror Crystal Moll.
Awards include the Gino Awards—two $1,000 cash prizes honoring the legacy of Ellicott City artist Gino Manelli (1915–2010), generously sponsored by the Manelli Family. Additional awards are made possible by the support of dedicated sponsors including AARP Maryland, the Howard County Historical Society, Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Blossoms of Hope, the Ellicott City Partnership, and the Family of Carole Zink.
HoCo Arts Executive Director Coleen West joined Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development Jake Day, State Senator Guy Guzzone, and numerous stakeholders on April 8 for the groundbreaking of the new Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Artists Flats in Downtown Columbia.
The PAC will be built on the site of Toby’s Dinner Theatre, a 46-year cultural landmark in Columbia. It will feature a 340-seat dinner theater, two 200-seat black box theaters, a public art gallery, classrooms and dance studios. HoCo Arts will manage a gallery and community black box theater as part of the project.
The PAC will complement existing Downtown venues such as the Merriweather Arts & Culture Center and the Chrysalis. Toby’s will also become part of the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA), continuing its legacy by offering performing arts education to local youth.
The Howard County Arts & Culture Plan seeks to identify and catalog the county’s existing arts and cultural assets, develop strategies to nurture and expand creative resources, guide future investments in the sector, and respond to the evolving needs of our diverse arts communities. By actively engaging with the Howard County community, we aim to create a shared vision for the role of arts and culture in our county’s future.
Complete the survey and learn more!
Maryland has stood as a beacon of arts and cultural support for decades. It is recognized nationally for its robust investment in the arts, consistently coming in the top five in the country. This distinction is not accidental but deeply rooted in the Arts Stabilization Act of 1994. This legislation has ensured that the Maryland State Arts Council’s (MSAC) funding grows in tandem with the state’s General Fund, creating a stable foundation upon which the arts sector has flourished. The potential removal of this act threatens to undermine this legacy, impacting not only arts organizations but the fabric of our communities across Maryland. Any cuts in MSAC’s funding would disproportionately impact smaller organizations, those in rural areas, and those who serve underserved populations, ultimately leading to a less diverse and accessible arts landscape.
For more information about how important the Arts Stabilization Act is, see the Maryland Citizen’s op-ed piece here.
And join the Howard County Arts Council at Maryland Arts Day hosted by Maryland Citizens for the Arts in Annapolis on February 13 to advocate for arts funding by registering here.
Howard County Flag Redesign – Cast Your Vote Today!
Deadline: January 12
The redesign of the Howard County flag is entering its final stage—and we need YOUR input! This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our flag by ranking the final ten designs on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being your favorite and 10 being your least preferred.
The Howard County Flag Commission began accepting submissions in Spring 2024. After reviewing all entries, 184 designs were selected for public comment and consideration. After a public hearing and thorough deliberation, the Commission narrowed it down to 10 finalists. Now, it’s your turn to make your voice heard.
Don’t miss this exciting chance to be part of history! To view the final 10 designs and cast your vote, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/flag. Voting ends January 12!