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Just Launched: Howard County’s Arts & Culture Plan for the Future

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Just Launched: Howard County’s Arts & Culture Plan for the Future

Howard County’s Arts & Culture Plan officially launched to an audience of 50 arts stakeholders and community members on January 23 at the Horowitz Center’s Monteabaro Hall.  

Remarks were given by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland State Arts Council Executive Director Steven Skerritt-Davis, Howard County Councilmember Opel Jones, Howard Community College Vice President of External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement Jarret Carter Sr., HoCo Arts Board President Adam Stull, HoCo Arts Executive Director Coleen West, and an introduction to the Arts & Culture Plan goals and timeline by consultants from planning firm, Designing Local. The event also featured a performance from pianist Alan Blackman.  

The Howard County Arts & Culture Plan will build upon the existing arts and culture foundation and harness the power of arts for the benefit of all residents and visitors. The plan will identify community priorities, policies, funding, and programming recommendations to support a thriving arts ecosystem.  

Coleen West, Executive Director of HoCo Arts, stated, “Arts and culture are essential to the vibrancy of Howard County, bringing people together and uplifting our communities. It is time to develop a new plan to address changes and strengthen Howard County’s position as a regional hub for innovation and creativity.” 

The Arts Council is working with a steering committee and the firm Designing Local to develop a shared vision for the future of arts and culture in Howard County. Community engagement activities, including interviews, listening sessions, surveys, and other channels, are planned to help guide the development of the new plan by 2026. 

The Steering Committee includes a diverse group of local community leaders, artists, and organizations, such as representatives from the Howard County Public School System, Howard Community College, Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, Howard County Library System, and many more. 

The HoCo Arts & Culture Plan is supported by funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, Howard County Government, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

View the Arts & Culture page and stay tuned for updates! Learn more 

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