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Artists |
Arts |
Arts |
The arts in Maryland reflect the State's geographic and cultural diversity from traditional Appalachian fiddle music in Western Maryland and African-American quilting on the lower Eastern Shore to experimental performance and media arts in metropolitan Baltimore and areas surrounding Washington, DC. The arts industry represents some $634 million in the State's economy, fueled by an audience of nearly 10 million each year.
Maryland has arts institutions of national prominence, such as the Baltimore Symphony. Regional interdisciplinary arts institutions offer professional and amateur productions, and over 30 schools and academies are devoted to training young artists. Some, like Baltimore's School for the Arts (a public high school) and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, give public performances.
Colleges and universities in Maryland host touring art exhibits, dance and theater troupes, soloists, chamber music groups, and orchestras. Among these are the Handel Festival and the International Piano Competition and Festival at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Distinguished Artist Series of the U.S. Naval Academy, and art exhibits at the Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery, St. John's College, Annapolis.
Through the Maryland State Arts Council, State government supports the performing, visual and creative arts. These include dance, drama, music drama, architecture, painting, sculpture, graphics, crafts, photography, design, film, television and creative writing. The Council also helps administer the Arts-In-Education Program which funds artists who work or hold workshops in public schools to supplement the school curriculum. At the county level, local arts councils are active. One example is the Queen Anne's County Arts Council at Centreville.
© Copyright July 18, 2000 Maryland State Archives