Spy Top Story: A New Era for Talbot Arts with Joan Levy

September 13, 2021 by Dave Wheelan 

While Joan Levy arrived at the Talbot County Arts Council just as the COVID-19 pandemic started to take hold, she pulled off two remarkable feats over the last twenty months. The first was working with every Art Council’s grantee to ensure that those organizations and individuals would receive those important funds even during the health crisis.

But the second was working with her board to successfully re-envision the mission and brand Talbot County’s primary public funding source for the arts.

Even with social distancing and the compromises of Zoom calls, Levy and her directors created a plan that not only changed the organization’s name to Talbot Arts, but reinvented objectives to proactively reach out and serve entirely new and diverse communities in Talbot County. Just importantly, Talbot Arts double-downed on using the power of its website and multimedia to share these remarkable stories of art and artists with the public.

The Spy down with Joan at the Talbot Arts office in the Eastern Shore Conservation Center a few weeks ago to talk about some of these changes and what it will mean for our County and our gifted artists and those seeking to be one.

Press Release

Contact: Joan Levy

Phone/Email: 410-245-5195 / jlevy@talbotarts.org

Talbot Arts invites Arts-in-Education (AinE) Grant applications from public and private schools in Talbot County for the coming academic year. The grants support visiting artists or visiting performer programs held during school hours. These programs promote, strengthen, and enhance the arts and arts education in Talbot County.

There are two categories of AinE applications: visiting artist/artist in residence and visiting performer. The visiting artists and performers must generally be from the rosters of artists posted on the Maryland State Arts Council website (www.msac.org). Exceptions may occur for local and national/international artists through advanced coordination with the Arts Council. A school or organization may submit just one application in each category, but an application of either type may and often does include multiple events.

Schools must match funds on at least a one-for-one basis. Funds from the State of Maryland or in-kind services are not allowed as part of this match. The school must provide at least half of the total program cost from non-State funds. Matching funds are funds from other sources equal to the amount received from Talbot Arts. 

Schools are eligible for subsidies to reduce the cost of visiting performer programs involving Maryland-based artists, including travel. These are available through Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and Artivate and Rural Access through Young Audiences of Maryland.

Applications must be submitted by October 6, 2021. Decisions made by the board of the Arts Council will be announced by October 18. 

The Arts Council sets aside $30,000 in funds provided by Talbot County governments and generously contributed by local organizations, including the Artistic Insights Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and the Ruth and Robert St. John Foundation.

At 4 pm on Tuesday, September 14, the Arts Council is offering a virtual AinE Workshop, combined with a visiting performer block-booking meeting with Busy Graham of Carpe Diem Arts. Block-bookings can help reduce program costs by scheduling multiple performances on a given day. All are welcome to participate in the virtual workshop—email jlevy@talbotarts.org in advance to receive an invitation.  

Information and applications for AinE Grants are available on the Arts Council’s website www.talbotarts.org or by contacting Joan Levy at jlevy@talbotarts.org/410-245-5195.

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Press Release

Contact: Joan Levy

Phone/Email: 410-245-5195 / jlevy@talbotarts.org

How do you engage and energize 25 middle school and high school clarinet players in the throws of the summer heat?

The Clarinet Day Workshop set out to do that – and more. On Thursday, July 28, Easton Middle and High School students participated in an ambitious full-day schedule of concerts, private and group lessons and lectures.  

The day began with a welcome performance by the University of Maryland Clarinet Quartet. Afterward, students paired with teachers and members of the University of Maryland Clarinet Society for private and group lessons. Lohff and Pfiefer USA, a world-renowned musical instrument company, provided forty new clarinets for the students to try. The Reed Machine, specializing in clarinet customization and services, offered free instrument tune-up and repairs. Students attended lectures on breathing techniques and proper posture, followed by talks on career paths and professional opportunities. Sitting side-by-side, teachers and students performed “Jupiter” from The Planets by Holst, arranged for a clarinet choir.

The idea, inspired by Donna Ewing, Band Director, Easton Middle School, and EJ Osterle, Band Director, Easton High School, became a reality with funding from Talbot Arts and the guidance of Dr. Robert DiLutis, Professor of Clarinet and Director of Community Engagement, in the School of Music at the University of Maryland. The student musicians received exceptional teaching and encouragement: joining Dr. DiLutis were Dr. Natalie Groom and Dr. Melissa Morales and their graduate students. According to Joan Levy, Executive Director, Talbot Arts, “this experience was so incredible and beneficial to our student musicians, we are ready to commit to doing it again next year.” 

Funds for the Clarinet Day workshop were provided to Talbot Arts by the Talbot County government with support from Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels. 

For more information, contact Joan Levy, jlevy@talbotarts.org / 410-245-5195

For Immediate Release

Contact: Joan Levy

Phone/Email: 410-245-5195 / jlevy@talbotarts.org

Talbot Arts Awards Grants for Local Arts Programs

Talbot Arts Board of Directors approved Community Arts Development Grants to 23 local organizations for arts-related programs and projects during 2022. (July 2021 through June 30, 2022).  The budget for these programs is $110,000 made possible with funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot County, Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels.

Community Arts Development Grants fund a broad spectrum of Talbot County arts activities for non-profit and government-related organizations to provide equitable access to diverse and inclusive local arts activities for citizens and visitors to Talbot County. The organization is especially committed to bringing the arts to underserved communities, including people in healthcare settings, the economically disadvantaged, seniors, and those with special needs.   

 This year’s recipients include major arts organizations based in Talbot County, other arts organizations based in Talbot County, out-of-county organizations serving the arts in Talbot County, arts programs by other organizations in Talbot County, and programs for children outside regular school schedules.

Talbot Arts next regular grant cycle will be for Arts-in-Education Grants to local elementary and secondary schools during 2021-2022. Information about this program will be available in August, with an application cut-off of September 30. Talbot Arts accepts requests for Mini-Grants of up to $500 at any time with decisions and cash awards if appropriate the following month.      

Talbot Arts supports Talbot County's vibrant, inclusive, and diverse arts community through grants, scholarships, and creative initiatives that help the arts grow and thrive. For more information on Talbot Arts grant opportunities, visit www.talbotarts.org or contact Joan Levy, Executive Director, at 410-245-5195 or email jlevy@talbotarts.org.