Encourages development of high-quality artistic programs through grants to cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations in the Greater Baltimore area that benefit County residents.
The Commission on Arts and Sciences is designed to ignite creativity in the region's cultural organizations, encourage public participation, extend outreach to students and diverse populations, and provide County residents with a range of offerings that reflect the diversity of the County's cultural heritage.
The Commission was created in 1977 by the County Council, Bill 43-77, Article XII, and consists of 17 volunteer members appointed by the County Executive or County Council for terms of three years.
The arts provide jobs, attract and retain an educated, creative workforce, engage cultural tourists, and generate tax revenue that helps the County maintain its outstanding quality of life. The State of Maryland receives a three-to-one return on investment in the arts.
11.2 million people attend arts events, classes and workshops in Maryland.
Arts audiences spend over $294 million dollars.
The arts generated an estimated $45.7 million in state and local tax revenue.
Direct and indirect spending from the arts generated $1.1 billion in total economic impact for Maryland during fiscal year 2019.
Source: Maryland State Arts Council, Economic Impact of the Arts in Maryland
FUNDING
Major funding for the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences Grant Program is provided by the citizens of Baltimore County. To credit Baltimore County for the financial support it provides, use the agency's current logo.
Additional funding is provided through a Community Arts Development Program Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
