FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2003

Contact: Pamela G. Holt
(410) 203-1301
info@mdarts.org

HUNDREDS CONVENE IN ANNAPOLIS FOR MARYLAND ARTS ADVOCACY DAY TO SHOW STATEWIDE SUPPORT OF ARTS FUNDING ON JANUARY 28
“One State Together for the Arts”

Annapolis, MD – Hundreds of arts leaders and supporters from around the state will join forces in Annapolis on Tuesday, January 28th for Maryland Arts Advocacy Day to promote state support for the arts and arts education. Maryland Arts Advocacy Day, a biennial project sponsored by Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA) and Maryland Citizens for the Arts Foundation, is a day of learning, networking, and advocacy. More than 500 arts supporters from around the state will convene in Annapolis at St. John’s College’s Francis Scott Key Auditorium to meet with legislators and attend workshops. This year’s theme, One State Together for the Arts, looks at the many ways the arts make a contribution to the economy of Maryland– from small towns to metropolitan areas. Governor-Elect Robert L. Ehrlich will attend and Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Michael Busch, Delegate Howard “Pete” Rawlings and others have been asked to participate in the morning session.

In addition to legislative meetings, Maryland Arts Advocacy Day includes a seminar component. The methodology of determining the economic impact of the arts will be analyzed. Three innovative programs that involve arts and entertainment districts in Prince George’s, Montgomery and Dorchester counties will be detailed. A highlight of the day will be remarks from “ Miss Maryland” Camille Lewis, who is a classically trained violinist, about her mission to enhance opportunities for youth and the arts.

For registration information contact Maryland Citizens for the Arts toll free at 1-877-5MDARTS or at www.mdarts.org. Groups of three people receive a discount.

Maryland Arts Advocacy Day is sponsored by Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Lockheed Martin, the Maryland State Arts Council and others. MCA was founded in 1977 to increase public recognition and support of the arts in Maryland through advocacy. MCA works to foster an ongoing statewide dialogue about the value of the arts with government, business, artists, arts organizations and private citizens. In this vein, we coordinate regional forums, a biennial conference about the changing cultural, legislative and economic climate and the biennial Governor’s Arts Awards at ArtSalute. MCA publishes a newsletter, "One Voice," manages a Web site, and maintains a repository of information and material about the arts and community development. We encourage participants to have a "voice" in support for the arts through letter writing, public speaking and contact with the media.