Reading

Don’t Abandon Maryland’s Legacy of Arts Investment

Previous Story
Article Image

BmoreArt News: ReBokeh at the Renwick, NGA Ends D [...]

Next Story
Article Image

Belonging: A Guide to Membership Programs at Art [...]

For decades, Maryland has proudly led the nation in its commitment to the arts. The 1994 Arts Stabilization Act (ASA) was the first—and remains the only—state law mandating public funding for the arts. This visionary legislation provided the foundation for a vibrant, far-reaching cultural sector that not only enriches Maryland communities but also fuels our state’s economic engine. Today, that progress is in danger.

Under Governor Moore’s FY2026 Budget Proposal and the associated Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, the administration has requested the removal of the ASA—a move that would dismantle a 30-year strategy for steady, thoughtful arts investment.

This law has been celebrated over decades by governors of both parties—Schaefer, Glendening, Ehrlich, O’Malley, and Hogan—and by the Maryland General Assembly as a linchpin of our cultural success. Eliminating it would represent a radical departure from the bipartisan support that has allowed the arts to flourish.

• According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts in Maryland have reached an all-time economic high.
• The arts sector adds nearly $13 billion to the state economy, supports more than 80,000 jobs, and provides $7.3 billion in worker compensation.
• Year after year, Maryland ranks among the top five states in per-capita arts investment—a testament to the consistent, reliable funding made possible by the ASA.

Equally significant is how arts funding flows. The Maryland State Arts Council, bolstered by the ASA’s predictable financial structure, has modeled equitable funding statewide. Every county and Baltimore City receive support for cultural initiatives, ensuring that citizens from Cumberland to the Eastern Shore have access to a robust, creatively driven community life.

Governor Moore’s proposal overlooks how crucial the arts have been to Maryland’s prosperity—and how pivotal they will remain in the future. Let us not turn our backs on the very policies that made Maryland a national model for the creative economy.
Nicholas Cohen

Yes, budget challenges are real and cyclical. The ASA’s formula, however, already accommodates lean years when adjustments are necessary. No one is arguing that resources shouldn’t be allocated responsibly. But targeting a policy that has proven to be both effective and beneficial to Maryland’s cultural and economic vitality makes little sense—especially at a time when the arts are grappling with the lingering effects of the pandemic, inflationary pressures, and other headwinds.

The arts are an undeniable asset for Maryland: they shape our identity, educate our children, encourage civic pride, and spark economic growth. Abandoning a steady and time-tested funding approach now risks undercutting that success. We urge the Maryland General Assembly to stand firm in defending the ASA and to reject any proposal that would rescind one of the most successful state-led arts funding commitments in the nation.

Governor Moore’s proposal overlooks how crucial the arts have been to Maryland’s prosperity—and how pivotal they will remain in the future. Let us not turn our backs on the very policies that made Maryland a national model for the creative economy. By maintaining our commitment to the ASA, we can continue to nurture a flourishing arts ecosystem—one that helps make Maryland an extraordinary place to live, work, and thrive.

Maryland House of Delegates

What You Can Do:

Contact your state lawmakers: Reach out to your Delegate and Senator, urging them to reject the proposed elimination of the ASA in the 2026 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act.
Voice your support for the arts: Tell your lawmakers how the arts have shaped your community and why stable funding is crucial. Personal stories make a difference.
Spread the word: Share this issue with friends, neighbors, and on social media. Encourage fellow Marylanders to join in contacting state officials to preserve the ASA.
JOIN US! Attend Maryland Arts Day on February 13th in Annapolis. Hosted by Maryland Citizens for the Arts – it is one of the largest advocacy days during the legislative session.

Header Image: Governor Wes Moore of Maryland's Official State Portrait, courtesy of the Md.gov website

Related Stories
Baltimore art news updates from independent & regional media

This week's news includes: Inviting Light initiative comes to Station North, Deyane Moses and the 5th annual Tom Miller Week, environmental focus at the BMA, The Atlantic's postcast epidode with Annie Leibovitz and Amy Sherald,  remembering Alonzo Davis, chef Jasmine Norton and more!

The best weekly art openings, events, and calls for entry happening in Baltimore and surrounding areas.

This Week: Virtual artist talk with Kei Ito at UMBC, TU BLAQ Spaces artist talk + reception, SANDTOWN film premiere at SNF Parkway, Maryland Arts Day, The Future of Here exhibition opening at The Peale, Existence Beyond Code panel discussion at MCHC, Soil to Skin opening reception and more!

Baltimore art news updates from independent & regional media

This week's news includes: Glenstone Museum announces new exhibitions, the sublime Amy Sherald, Savannah G.M. Wood awarded Tabb Center humanities fellowship, from France to Baltimore, Ky Vassor installs work at Govans Presbyterian Church, remembering Susan Alcorn, and more!

The best weekly art openings, events, and calls for entry happening in Baltimore and surrounding areas.

This Week:  A Media Quilt Project video installation opening reception, TINY Art Soiree at Hotel Indigo, "Obscured Legacy" film screening at MCHC, BSO at the Lewis Museum, Future Histories opening reception at the Driskell Center, Inviting Light Kick-Off at the Parkway, and more!