Howard County Arts Council 

The Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts) manages two galleries at the Howard County Center for the Arts with over 21,000 square feet of exhibit space. The HoCo Arts 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.

HoCo Arts presents 11-12 exhibits per year of national, regional, and local artists, including two-person, small and large group, juried, curated, and community shows. HoCo Arts 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. HoCo Arts 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 slideshows.
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 Bronwyn Haymes, Exhibits and Programs Assistant at exhibits@hocoarts.org.

 
Creative Howard Grant Program Guidelines

 FY26 Application Calendar

Grant period ends June 30

Grant activities must take place within this   grant period; projects are not funded retroactively, please plan ahead. See   earliest start date below.

September 1

Grant applications available online at https://hocoarts.submittable.com/submit

Rolling deadline based on funds available; applications   due 60 days prior to proposed project start date. 

November 1

Earliest project start date for projects .

Applications submitted by 11:59 PM EST on   the first day of the month will be reviewed that month; applications received   after that will be reviewed the following month.

April 1

Last deadline for FYE June 30.

Final Report Due within 15 business days of   project completion. 

 Introduction
 The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is a private, nonprofit 501c3 organization established to enrich and serve our community by fostering the arts, artists, and arts organizations. HCAC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose members are elected to two terms.  

 To advance our mission, HCAC provides a wide variety of programs and services to strengthen the vitality of the arts in our community and broaden opportunities for public engagement in the arts. The Creative Howard grant program was established to recognize and support the work of small nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses with grants up to $2,500.  

 HCAC Responsibilities

 HCAC is authorized by the Howard County government and the Maryland State Arts Council to administer public funds designated for the arts. As the designated arts council for Howard County, HCAC is responsible for:

• Establishing criteria and procedures for submission and funding of applications.
• Developing and maintaining a grant process and reporting requirements in accordance with established      criteria and procedures.
• Reviewing, evaluating and prioritizing applications for grants funds.
• Selecting recipients and determining grant award amounts.
  

The Arts Council staff is available to assist applicants with any questions about completing this application by emailing grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org. 

 Creative Howard Overview

The purpose of the Creative Howard grant program is to strengthen the vitality of the Howard County arts community and recognize the role of small nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses in Howard County’s creative eco-system. 

 The goals for Creative Howard are:

· To increase access to the process of requesting grants to arts organizations and support needs in the arts community that may fall outside of the eligibility requirements of HCAC’s Community Arts Development grant program. 

· To provide small non-profit 501c3- designated arts organizations with a foundation to apply for future Community Arts Development grants.

 Creative Howard supports eligible activities of small arts organizations (both 501c3 nonprofit arts organizations and for- and nonprofit arts businesses) with grants up to $2,500. There is no  matching fund requirement for Creative Howard grants. Applicants may receive funding for only one application per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). 

 Deadline
 The deadline for Creative Howard is rolling. The deadline to submit the application is the first day of each month at 11:59PM.  Applications will be reviewed monthly and Creative Howard grants will be awarded throughout the fiscal year until total funding allocated for the program is awarded.

 HCAC will begin accepting applications on September 1, 2025 for the FY26 application cycle. The grant period for FY26 ends June 30, 2026. Funded activities must occur within the grant period. HCAC does not fund projects in progress or completed before the grant application deadline.  Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the proposed activities occur. 

 The application process will be closed once funding allocated for the program is fully awarded and will only be reopened should new funding become available.

 Eligibility
 Nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses (see definitions below) located and operating in Howard County for at least one year prior to the application’s submission and throughout the funded project with an operating revenue of $100,000 or less (see application process below) are eligible to apply. 

Not eligible to apply are current FY26 HCAC grant recipients, Howard County governmental agencies, and organizations that receive direct funding from Howard County, such as, Howard County Public Schools, Howard County Recreation and Parks, Howard Community College.

Eligibility:

· Applicant must maintain their primary physical office and conduct at least 50% of all business operations, programs and activities in Howard County (i.e.: 50% of rehearsals, 50% of Board and committee meetings, 50% of performances, workshops, etc.). Corporate papers, such as the 990 and Personal Property Tax forms, letterhead, website, and program materials submitted must show primary office is located in the County.

· Applicant must have one fully completed and documented fiscal year of operations as of the date of the application submission. 

· Applicant must produce or present arts programs, services or projects that are accessible to the public and relevant to its community (demonstrate need). 

• Applicant  may receive funding for one Creative Howard grant per fiscal year; the program may consist of a one-time activity or a series of related  activities.
• A  program is eligible for funding through Creative Howard if it supports an arts and/or cultural activity that is presented at a location in Howard County.
• Program activities must be open to the public with or without an admission fee, virtual programming is      eligible.
• Program activities may include, but are not limited to, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, history exhibit or historic reenactment, lectures or  seminars, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and workshops. This list is not exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to think creatively about their programs.
• Program budget must be based on cash income and expense only.
• Program expenses must be directly  related to the artistic activities described in the application.
  
            Submission of an application constitutes an understanding and agreement of the conditions set forth in these guidelines.
            Please read the full guidelines, before starting the application. FY26 Creative Howard Guidelines.pdf Only successfully submitted, complete, on-line applications will be accepted and reviewed. Incomplete or hard copy applications will be disqualified. 

Arts Council staff is available to assist applicants with any questions about completing this application by mailing grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org.

 

About the Event & Exhibit

Paint It! Ellicott City is an annual event that brings artists and spectators interested in the plein air tradition to Historic Ellicott City in early June. Juried artists set up their easels around the historic district, enjoying a summer weekend as they capture the picturesque mill town and all its charms. Juried artists will paint in the historic district of Ellicott City, Maryland for three days, creating original artwork that will be shown in a six-week exhibit at the Capitoline Center's Gallery I. Juried artists will also enjoy a welcome reception, an exhibit reception, and juror's awards. 

Application & Eligibility Requirements

All artists working en plein air, in a variety of media including oil, acrylic, pastel, or watercolor, aged 18 years and older, are eligible to apply. 

Artists wishing to be considered must submit an application below with the following: 

• Contact Info 
• Artwork Portfolio: Up to 4 images of visual artwork examples including medium, dimensions, and year completed. 
• Artists must submit a non-refundable entry fee of $30 by clicking here.

Entry Fee 

A non-refundable entry of $30 is due with entry. All fees go toward awards and costs for the event. Submit fee here. 

Timeline

February-April 13: Call open for juried artist submissions 

April 13: Deadline to apply 

Late April: Acceptance notification 

June 3: Artist kick-off reception hosted via Zoom 

June 4-7: Paint Out in Ellicott City 

June 8, 6-8pm: Opening reception & award ceremony 

June 8 - August 1: Exhibit open to the public

Juror: Valerie Craig

Sales

A 20% commission will be retained by HoCo Arts on all sales of artwork included in the exhibit, as well as any sales during the plein air event. Work is not required to be for sale.

Awards

A minimum of $3000 in cash awards will be presented, including the $2000 Gino Award, named in honor of Gino Manelli (1915-2010), an avid artist and cyclist who established his art studio in Ellicott City in 1966. Over a 70 year artistic career, Gino created landscapes, portraits, and still lifes in a range of media and styles with dramatic color use and a dynamic palette knife, creating emotional, engaging artwork. His work is in galleries in the United States and Europe.

Additional awards will be offered as well.

as of 2/9/2026

Agreement

The decision of the juror is final. All accepted work must remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibit. HoCo Arts reserves the right to photograph artwork and artists for publicity and educational purposes and to use images of submitted work for the same purposes. HoCo Arts reserves the right to reject work not suitably presented. All work must be original, no reproductions (including giclee, commercially printed, or computer-generated reproductions of paintings, drawings, etc.) Submission of an entry constitutes understanding and agreement with all conditions mentioned in the prospectus.   

Questions about the event or application can be directed to exhibits@hocoarts.org. 

The Howard County Arts Council is seeking a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization to work in residence at our new location at the Historic Courthouse in Old Ellicott City. The size of the available space is approximately 280 square feet and rents for $225.17 per month. Applicants will be considered by the HoCo Arts Center Committee. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM, Monday, March 23, 2026.  

Our new space at the Historic Courthouse will house accessible studio space for eighteen resident studio artists, as well as three resident arts organizations representing a variety of disciplines. Resident artists will have 24-hour access, natural light, and easy access to water. Utilities and public wi-fi are included. 

Application

Applications must include the following:

Letter of Intent, including: 

• Mission statement, artistic goals, brief history of organization and activities, and administrative structure.
• Your organization’s interest in becoming a resident.
• The type of public activities/involvement your organization would bring to HoCo Arts and how these activities benefit HoCo Arts and the community as well as how these activities fit into your organization’s mission and goals. Your organization’s history regarding conducting similar activities.
• How your organization would use the space for administrative purposes in support of your mission and goals.    
• Number of hours a week the organization would use the space for both activities and administrative purposes.

IRS letter of tax-exempt status

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

Benefits

General benefits include: private office space, 24-hour access to designated office space, physical mailing address and mailbox, affordable monthly rental rate, and location in a vibrant community arts center in the heart of Old Ellicott City. 

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

Eligibility

Applicant organizations must:

• Be incorporated and recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
• Demonstrate a central commitment to the production or performance of fine arts. Arts organizations may also teach in their studio. 
• Offer art programs/activities that are fully accessible to the public
• Agree to hold regular studio hours of no less than 20 hours a week in their space and have a working office phone

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

Requirements

Applicants granted studio space will be considered HoCo Arts Resident Studio Artists.

To hold a HoCo Arts studio office space, Resident Organizations must, at a minimum, fulfill the following:

• Resident Arts Organizations are required to be in attendance for up to five HoCo Arts -scheduled Open Studio special events per year when they must be present and open their studios for public viewing.
• Resident Arts Organizations must use their studios for a minimum of twenty hours per week (minimum). Those twenty hours must be used for the production, presentation, administration or teaching of their art and not for other unrelated employment or activities. 
• Resident Arts Organizations must pay the studio rent within five working days of the first of each month.
• Resident Arts Organizations must maintain a $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy for their studio as well as coverage for the contents of their studio. 
• Resident Arts Organizations must maintain a safe working environment in their studios and submit and keep current 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. 
• Resident Arts Organizations offering classes, exhibits, or other public programs must be fully accessible.
• Residents Arts Organizations must maintain annual membership with HoCo Arts.
• Any physical changes to the studio, which includes painting, must be approved by the HoCo Arts Center Committee and the County, residents must return the studio to its original condition when vacating. 

Selection

The HoCo Arts Center Committee will review and evaluate applications based on their artistic discipline, artistic merit and commitment, as well as the appropriateness of their activities for the available space.  A key objective of the program is to have a variety of styles, viewpoints and media represented in the studio program and the Committee will consider the current make-up of Resident Arts Organizations during the review process.  In cases where all other elements of applicants’ qualifications are deemed of equal value, Howard County residents will be given priority.

Interested organizations should submit a Studio Application to HoCo Arts. When a studio is available, the HoCo Arts 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

Only eligible and complete applications will be forwarded to the HoCo Arts Center Committee for consideration.  

For full information, please see RFP here.

All application materials must be submitted online by 11:59PM, March 23, 2026. Mailed, emailed, faxed or late applications will not be accepted. Email by Monday, March 16, 2026, for application assistance and accommodations. 

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

Howard County Youth Poet Laureate Guidelines and Application Instructions

 The Howard County Youth Poet Laureate program, 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 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 September 2026 through August 2027 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 (HoCo Arts) administers this program in partnership with Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo).

 Eligibility Criteria for the Howard County Youth Poet Laureate

The Howard County Youth Poet Laureate program seeks 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 2026 and August 2027 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. 

 HoCo Arts 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. The same person cannot serve consecutive terms as Howard County Youth Poet Laureate.

 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 5 to 8 public and/or civic events during the 2026-27 term. Examples of Youth Poet Laureate events and related activities include:

 1. Participation in literary community activities in Howard County, such as the annual Blackbird Poetry Festival produced by HoCoPoLitSo and Howard Community College during National Poetry Month, or HoCoPoLitSo’s, Wilde      Reading Series. 

2. Participation in up to 4 readings and speaking engagements for the Howard County Executive and County Departments as determined and scheduled through HoCo Arts 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

 To Apply online: Click Here 

 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 February 2, 2026. The deadline to submit applications is April 30, 2026.

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

 Timeline

 Application opens: February 2, 2026 

Application deadline: April 30, 2026

Selection notification: August, 2026

Selection announcement: September, 2026