MCA Mission Statement
Bashi preforms a poem written by his father, while accompanied by his uncle, Will Rose, on the conga drum.
Photo by Edward Winter
Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is a statewide arts advocacy organization, founded in 1977 to represent all Maryland artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. MCA works to increase public recognition and support of the Arts and the role they play in the quality of life and economic vitality of Maryland. MCA achieves this goal by advocating for the arts across the state and by promoting adequate public funding at the local, state and federal levels.
MCA’s advocacy services fall within two categories: educating (lobbying) state lawmakers about the arts and informing Maryland citizens about how they can support public arts funding. MCA also provides “One Voice for all the Arts in Maryland.” It serves Marylanders interested in the arts and the role they play in economic vitality, education, and quality of life. MCA's research culls topical data and its education programs not only provide informational updates on the MSAC, key state appointments and activities, and status reports on the state budget, but also nurture connections among arts professionals, arts supporters, and artists, as well as their audiences. MCA works closely with partner organizations such as the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), Community Arts Alliance of Maryland (CAAM), county arts councils, Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS), and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA). Current programming reaches all career levels of arts professionals, from executive directors to emerging arts leaders to interns, from board members to volunteers. Overall, MCA was conceived to emphasize the connections between the arts, cultural diversity, quality education, economic development and government.