Best Organizations Giving Back To The Maryland Arts

Over the years, many Marylanders have witnessed a continual surge in the arts in and around Baltimore. An interest in the arts is part of the human condition, however the popularity and rapid growth of programs, initiatives and creative opportunities does not come naturally. It is with the help of these philanthropic organizations that Maryland's growth as a vibrant, creative and artistic city has been made possible.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
201 N Charles St, Suite 401
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 539-6656
www.midatlanticarts.org

The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, founded in 1979, benefits Maryland on a grand scale in promoting the arts, providing partnerships and developing creative practices to expand audiences. They strive to create work for artists, inviting them from all over the nation to work here in Baltimore. Their belief is that art can change communities and individuals, which will slowly but surely impact society as a whole. By offering grants, funding, scholarships and endowments for art programs throughout Maryland and surrounding areas, the foundation is surpassing its goals. International marketing is a priority because they also extend opportunities to programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Mid-Atlantic region boasts the majority of the country's art industry. Baltimore has become a cornerstone in the areas of art, jazz, dance and contemporary arts because of this organization's continued efforts.

Baltimore Community Foundation
2 E Read St., 9th Floor
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 332-4171
www.bcf.org

The Baltimore Community Foundation has partnered with businesses and agencies to improve Baltimore's economy. Their success extends into varied aspects of the city's community due to grants, unique initiatives, investments and advocacy. Several funds that the foundation sponsors focus on the arts. They provide assistance to donors by revitalizing Baltimore in creative ways. The Baltimore Jazz Education Project Fund and the Baltimore School for the Arts Endowment Fund donate tools that assist in the expansion of artistic education. Each year, specific prizes are distributed through Baltimore for deserving efforts. For example, the Sonheim Art Prize contributes thousands of dollars in fellowship to those trying to stimulate and encourage the arts locally.

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The Wallace Foundation
5 Penn Plaza, 7th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10001
(212) 251-9700
www.wallacefoundation.org

The Wallace Foundation is New York City based, however they fund initiatives throughout the country. Their overall emphasis is on education, with a large part of that geared toward expanding opportunities that allow students to not only learn, but become enriched in arts and culture. In Maryland, the foundation provides grants to various organizations that test, research and provide leadership solutions to help society's arts scene thrive. Their belief is that top- rated education cannot exist without the arts. Much of the funding goes into improving school arts programs as interest will grow with higher quality education.

Baltimore School for the Arts Foundation
712 Cathedral St
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(443) 642-5167
www.bsfa.org

The Baltimore School for the Arts, founded in 1980, is one of the most prestigious public schools in the nation and one of the best art schools as well. The curriculum focuses on music, theater and dance along with traditional academic standards. Many of their graduates are later admitted into art schools, conservatories and advanced learning institutions. The BSA Foundation helps to provide free after-school art instruction and other educational programs for Baltimore schools. The funding aids not only the school itself, but various community projects spotlighting the arts in Baltimore. This includes the School Performance Program, allowing children from other public schools to experience their first live artistic performances. The foundation works with multiple art organizations, and has an impressive list of donors that assist in carrying out their mission. The private funds amassed by the foundation are used in conjunction with local government funds for art initiatives such as master classes, summer grants, community outreach programs and various rare library collections containing art and music books. Over the years, there have been ongoing capital renovation and expansion projects raising millions of dollars.

The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation
10 E Baltimore St, Suite 1111
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 347-7201
www.blaufund.org

The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation is a longstanding, philanthropic organization that has provided generous grants to Maryland groups and individuals in efforts to expand, build and promote arts and culture. Their main goal is to assist cultural entities, organizations and institutions in the ability to reach diverse audiences and serve underprivileged youth. Some of the local organizations the foundation has provided funding to, in addition to local public schools art programs, include The Walters Art Museum, American Visionary Arts Museum, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Baltimore Chorale Society, B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Everyman Theater and many more.

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