Howard County Arts Council 

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) manages two galleries at the Howard County Center for the Arts with over 21,000 square feet of exhibit space. The HCAC gallery program was established to enhance the public's appreciation of the visual arts, provide a venue to exhibit the work of local, regional, and national artists in a professional space, and provide leadership in the arts by presenting a broad spectrum of arts in all media from both emerging and established artists.


HCAC presents 11-12 exhibits per year of national, regional, and local artists, including two-person, small and large group, juried, curated, and community shows. HCAC rarely exhibits solo shows.


For more information, view the General Exhibit Prospectus.


To apply, please submit the following:


1. Contact Information, including artist or curator name


2. 10-20 digital images representative of the work to be included in the exhibition. Files should be named to correspond to image list. Entries must be JPG or JPEG files, each no larger than 1 MB. If submitting time-based work, work must be submitted as .avi, .wav, .mov, or .m4a files. HCAC has limited technology for use in the gallery, so any special technology needs should be addressed in the proposal. The images should be named using the “LastName_FirstName_01.jpg” format, where the numbers (01, 02, 03, etc…) correspond directly to your image script.
3. Image List which contains artist's name, title, medium, year completed, and dimensions for each piece. The image list should correspond directly to your application images. So, if you have an image named “Doe_Jane_01.jpg” then your image script should have an entry for “01” with that image’s title, medium,
dimension, and date. The image script should be a Word document or PDF.
Do not send Powerpoint presentations, movies of any kind, or slide
shows.
4. Resume which lists education, exhibitions, awards, publications, etc.
5. Artist statement or description of your artistic goals and recent work.

Individual curators: in addition to the above, individual curators should include a brief description of the proposed exhibit and identify the artists invited to participate. Provide information describing your curatorial experience, organizational skills, and samples of written materials used to organize a previous show (letters, marketing, etc).


Organizations: In addition to the above, provide your organization's mission statement and describe your programs and services that meet that statement. Include a brief description of the proposed exhibit and state how it furthers your mission and goals.


Questions can be directed to Elli Maria Hernandez, Exhibits and Programs Manager at exhibits@hocoarts.org.

Howard County Youth Poet Laureate Guidelines and Application Instructions

 The Howard County Poet Laureate program, a new venture in partnership with the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball, the Howard County Arts Council, and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo), will help amplify the power of youth expression, celebrate community, and promote literacy and literary arts in Howard County. 

 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 and demonstrate a passion a passion for poetry and its power to connect our communities through local public readings and participation in civic events. Along with the official title, the Youth Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium of $500. 

 The next Youth Poet Laureate will serve from August 2024 through June 2025 and will receive an honorarium of $500 paid in two equal installments of $250 at the beginning and end of their term. The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) administers this program in partnership with Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo).

 Eligibility Criteria for the Howard County Youth Poet Laureate

   HCAC and HoCoPoLitSo are seeking young writers who are passionate about their poetry and their community. In order to be eligible to apply, you must: 

● Be a current Howard County resident, and either live in Howard County  between August 2024 and June 2025 or be available to present in-person at public events in Howard County during this timeframe (for example, a resident who will  be attending a college or university next year within commuting distance of  Howard County). 

● Be between the ages of 14 (and a freshman in High School) and 21 at the time of application.

● Demonstrate community engagement in the arts .

● Be the creator of original poetic work. 

HCAC and HoCoPoLitSo Trustees, Board members, and employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply. Former HoCoPoLitSo Bauder Youth on  Board members need to have resigned from the Board at least 60 days before  applying. 

 Duties of the Howard County Youth Poet Laureate

The Youth Poet Laureate shall serve as an ambassador for literacy, poetry, and youth expression by participating in up to 6 public and/or civic events during the 2024-25 term. Examples of Youth Poet Laureate events and related activities include:

1. Participation in National Poetry Month activities in Howard County, such as the annual Blackbird Poetry      Festival produced by HoCoPoLitSo and Howard Community College in April.
2. Participation in up to 4 readings and speaking engagements for the Howard County Executive and County Departments as determined and scheduled through HCAC in coordination with the Office of the County Executive.
3. Participation in social media activity related to Youth Poet Laureate events and projects.

4. After their term as Youth Poet Laureate is complete, at  their discretion, serve on the selection panel(s) for future Howard County  Youth Poet Laureates.

To Apply

 Log Into or Create Your Submittable Account

Once you have entered the system, please review the complete application and guidelines, which include detailed instructions. You will need to prepare digital and video work samples, a brief biography and statement about what poetry means to you, and a description of your community engagement in any aspect of the arts. In addition, you will need to secure one or two references from adults (non-family members) who know you and can speak to your community involvement and/or school activities as well as the power of your poetry. 

Applications for Howard County Youth Poet Laureate open on March 1, 2024. The deadline to submit applications is May 30, 2024.

If for any reason you are not able to submit application materials online, please contact Dana Whipkey, HCAC Grants and Special Projects Coordinator at grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org or 410.313. ARTS(2787). 

Timeline

Application opens: March 1, 2024 

Application deadline: May 30, 2024

Selection announcement: Summer 2024

To View Complete Guidelines and Instructions Click Here

The Howard County Arts Council is seeking applications from artists to fill one available resident artist studio space. The available studio is approximately 380 square feet, rents for $300.83 per month for Howard County residents or $364.16 per month for out of County residents and has shared access with another artist in an adjoining studio. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. 

HCAC houses accessible studio space for fourteen resident artists, as well as three resident arts organizations representing a variety of disciplines. Resident artists have 24-hour access, natural light, and easy access to water. Heat & utilities are included. 

Application

Applications must include the following:

1. Letter of Intent: In one page or less, provide a brief description of your work or project to be completed while in residence, your career direction, and why you should be awarded a residency at HCCA.
2. Up-to-date Resume: Three pages or less that lists education, background, exhibitions, awards, and/or publications.
3. Artist Statement: In one page or less, concisely describe your creative work, process, technique, and conceptual development.
4. Three Letters of Recommendation: Include references with the ability to speak to your character, responsibility, and contribution to community.
5. Up to 20 Images Created within the Last Two Years that represent your work: Include at least one video recording if applying for performance art or video work. Videos must not exceed five minutes in duration.
6. Image List: If available, include examples of printed materials such as articles, brochures, programs, and reviews.

If hard copies are submitted, a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of materials.

Benefits

General benefits include: semi-private studio (shared entry access), 24-hour access to designated studio, physical mailing address and mailbox at HCCA, affordable monthly rental rate, and location in a vibrant community arts center. 

Residents also receive a reduced rate and priority consideration for renting other spaces in the Center including the dance studio, black box theatre, conference room, and classrooms. 

Eligibility

Practicing artists who demonstrate a central commitment to the production or performance of fine arts. In some studios, practicing artists may also teach in their studio space. 

HCAC Board of Directors, full-time staff, HCAC Center Committee, and their immediate family are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

Artists granted studio space will be considered Resident Artists of the Howard County Center for the Arts.  

To hold a studio space at the Center, residents must, at a minimum, submit to the following:

• Resident visual artists are required to participate in the Residents' Exhibit at the HCCA, displaying recent work (created within two years prior to the exhibit), not previously shown in the gallery, for a six-week show. 
• Resident artists and arts organizations are required to be in attendance for up to four Council-scheduled, Open Studio special events per year when they must be present and open their studios for public viewing.
• Residents must use their studios a minimum of eight hours per week (annual average). Those eight hours must be used for the production, presentation or teaching of their art and not for other unrelated employment or activities. 
• Residents must pay the studio rent within five working days of the first of each month.
• Residents must maintain a $2,000,000 general liability insurance policy for their studio as well as coverage for the contents of their studio. 
• Residents must maintain a safe working environment in their studios and submit appropriate MSDS forms for hazardous materials in their studios. Furthermore, they are expected to practice a “good neighbor” policy, using the least harmful materials possible and keeping in mind not only their own health and safety, but also that of the Center community. Residents may be required to install proper ventilation units or other safety features for the use of some mediums.
• Residents offering classes, exhibits, or other public programs must be fully accessible.
• Residents must maintain annual membership with HCAC.
• Any changes to the studio must be approved by the HCAC Center Committee and residents must return the studio to its original condition when vacating. 

Selection

Applicants will be evaluated based on their artistic discipline, artistic merit, and commitment, as well as the appropriateness of their activities for the available space. In cases where all other elements of candidates’ qualifications are deemed of equal value, Howard County artists will be given priority.

Interested artists should submit a Studio Application to HCAC. When a studio is available, the HCAC Center Committee reviews all submissions and selects an artist or organization based on the above criteria. If no studios are available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for future consideration.

Application

Complete applications will be forwarded to the selection panel for consideration.

For full information, please see RFP here.

All application materials may be submitted online to Howard County Arts Council by 11:59PM, May 15, 2024. Emailed, faxed or late applications will not be accepted. 

Questions regarding Submittable can be directed to exhibits@hocoarts.org.

The Howard County Arts Council is seeking applications from artists for one artist studio space at Long Reach Village Center. The available studio is 76 square feet and rents for $67/month. Please contact deputydirector@hocoarts.org to tour the Artist Studios.

Please download and review the RFP before submitting your application.  

Please note: at this time we are unable to process applications for artists using materials that are not water-soluble.   

The Long Reach Artist Studio Program will host studio space for artists representing a variety of disciplines. Artists have 24-hour access, easy access to water, and a night security guard on the premises. Heat & utilities are included. Studio furniture is not included. The studios are located on the second floor of the Long Reach Office Suites. There is no elevator on the premises.

The Long Reach Artist Studio Program Objectives

To provide individual artists with a space in which they may pursue the production of fine arts. The fine arts include traditional and emerging art forms within, but not limited to, the visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts.

To support a diverse community of artists working in a variety of fine arts media and disciplines. 

Benefits

General benefits include: private and semi-private studios (shared entry access), 24-hour access to designated studio, physical mailing address, affordable monthly rental rate, and prime location as a part of Howard County’s Long Reach Rising Revitalization Project. 

Studio Artists may also have an opportunity to showcase their work in pop-up galleries and other special events on the premises.

Eligibility

The Studio Program is open to practicing artists who demonstrate a central commitment to the production or performance of fine arts. Emerging Artists are also encouraged to apply. 

HCAC Board of Directors, full-time staff, HCAC Center Committee, and their immediate family are ineligible to apply.

Application 

To apply for consideration as a Studio Artist, submit an application with the following attachments:

• Letter of Intent: In one page or less, provide a brief description of your work or project to be completed while in residence, your career direction, and why you should be awarded an Artist Studio at Long Reach Village Center. 
• Up-to-date Resume: Three pages or less, listing education, background, exhibitions, awards, and/or publications.
• Artist Statement: In one page or less, concisely describe your creative work, process, technique, and conceptual development.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Include references with the ability to speak to your character, responsibility, and contribution to community.
• Up to 20 Images Created within the Last Two Years that represent your work: Include at least one video recording if applying for performance art or video work. Videos must not exceed five minutes in duration.
• Image List

If available, include examples of printed materials such as articles, brochures, programs, and reviews.

Requirements

To hold a studio space at the Village Center, artists must, at a minimum, submit to the following:

• Artists must use their studios a minimum of eight hours per week (annual average). Those eight hours must be used for the development and production of their art and not for other unrelated employment or activities. Teaching in The Long Reach Artist Studios is not permitted.  
• Artists must pay the studio rent within five working days of the first of each month.
• Artists must maintain a $2,000,000 general liability insurance policy for their studio as well as coverage for the contents of their studio. 
• Artists must maintain a safe working environment in their studios. No hazardous materials may be used in The Long Reach Artist Studios. Artists must provide (and keep current) a list of materials they plan to use in their studios. Furthermore, they are expected to practice a “good neighbor” policy, being mindful of both materials and sounds that might disrupt the health and safety of the Village Center community. 
• Artists must maintain annual membership with HCAC.
• Any changes to the studio must be approved by the HCAC Center Committee and artists must return the studio to its original condition when vacating. 

Application

Complete applications will be forwarded to the selection panel for consideration. 

All application materials must. be submitted online. Faxed, emailed, mailed or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.

For full information, please see RFP here.