PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2025
Contact: Coleen West
coleen@hocoarts.org
(410) 313-2787
Howard County Arts Council Receives FY26 Arts Appropriation from Howard County Government
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – In May 2025, the Howard County Council approved County Executive Calvin Ball’s FY26 Community Service Partnership (CSP) and PAYGO grants of over $1.4 million to the Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts).
Of the over $1.4 million, over 70% will be used to support the Arts Council’s grant programs including four programs that provide operating and project grants to Howard County arts organizations; Artist-in-Education grants to County schools through PTAs; grants to key Baltimore City Arts and Cultural organizations; and Outreach Howard grants to encourage Baltimore City grant recipients to provide programming in Howard County. These funds will also support the Arts Council’s exhibits, classes and studio programs, and the Arts Council’s relocation to the former circuit courthouse in Historic Ellicott City.
“I am truly excited and grateful for the County’s continued investment in the arts. The arts not only add beauty and vitality to our lives, they inspire us and provide people of all ages with lifelong learning opportunities,” said Howard County Arts Council Executive Director Coleen West. “In addition, the arts make a positive impact on the overall health and wellness of our community and on our local economy as well.”
In addition to providing grants to 50-60 local and regional arts organizations, the arts appropriation provides general operating funds to support the Arts Council and the Center for the Arts. The Center for the Arts 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, HoCo Arts presents 10-12 exhibits each year, provides low-cost meeting and studio space for artists and arts organizations, and offers year-round arts classes for people of all ages and skill levels. Each year, over 30,000 people visit the center to view an exhibit, take a class, or enjoy a performance.