Ways to Get Involved

Panelists are members of the public who assist MSAC with the evaluation of grant applications. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to specific grant programs, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Panelists must be: 18 years of age or older; a Maryland resident; affiliated with a Maryland-based arts program or organization; employee of a peer US-based arts service organization; or a member of a tribe whose lands are claimed by Maryland.

Those qualified to serve as panelists include:

• Artists, arts administrators, art enthusiasts, culture workers, and students
• Those interested in learning about how MSAC evaluates grants
• Former MSAC grantees, panelists, editors, or judges
• Those with flexible daytime and evening schedules

Those selected to serve as panelists are expected to:

• Attend a virtual orientation to understand the panel process
• Evaluate grant applications on their own time
• Prepare feedback for each grant application based on established evaluation criteria
• Participate in other evaluation activities (e.g., a virtual panel meeting, applicant site visits, etc.), in accordance with instructions from MSAC staff

Panelist applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.

• For new users:
  • Access SmartSimple
  • Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
  • Follow the instructions below
• For existing users:
  • After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
  • Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
  • Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
  • Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Panelist Call” from the dropdown menu
  • Under the heading “Grant Program,” select the desired program from the dropdown menu
  • Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next” 
  • Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"

MSAC compensates panelists for their work. Compensation details are included with panelist calls for individual programs.

All panelist payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.

Editors are members of the public who assist MSAC with revising grant program policies and procedures to better serve the arts sector. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to specific grant programs, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Editors must be 18 years of age or older and Maryland residents.

Those qualified to serve as editors include:

• Artists, arts administrators, art enthusiasts, culture workers, and students
• Those interested in learning about how MSAC revises grant programs
• Former MSAC grantees, panelists, editors, or judges
• Those with flexible daytime and evening schedules

Those selected to serve as editors are expected to:

• Attend multiple, virtual meetings to understand program revision goals and discuss recommendations
• Review materials and provide revision recommendations on their own time

Editor applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.

• For new users:
  • Access SmartSimple
  • Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
  • Follow the instructions below
• For existing users:
  • After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
  • Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
  • Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
  • Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Program Editor” from the dropdown menu
  • Under the heading “Grant Program,” select the desired program from the dropdown menu
  • Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next” 
  • Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"

MSAC compensates editors for their work. Compensation details are included with editor calls for individual programs.

All editor payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.

Judges are members of the public who assist MSAC with evaluating recitations during the Maryland Poetry Out Loud (POL) competition. They are selected based on their expertise in areas relevant to the Maryland POL program, as well as their diversity of experiences and locations in Maryland. Judges must be 18 years of age or older and Maryland residents.

The Maryland POL competition consists of regional and state events. Dates for these events are confirmed in November every year.

Those qualified to serve as judges include:

• Literary artists, educators, arts journalists, actors, librarians, slam poets, and poetry enthusiasts
• Those with schedules allowing for participation in daytime, in-person events on weekends

Those selected to serve as judges are expected to:

• Attend a virtual training to understand the judging process
• Review poems on their own time, in preparation for live recitation evaluation
• Attend regional or state events to evaluate live recitations

Judge applications are accepted online via SmartSimple. Access SmartSimple and log in or create a free account. Follow the steps below to apply.

• Before accessing SmartSimple, review the following resources: 
  • Review the 2025-2026 POL Judge’s Guide
  • Watch at least one recitation video
• Access SmartSimple
  • For new users:
    • Access SmartSimple
    • Click the “Register” button and then select the “Independent Artist” option
    • Follow the instructions below
  • For existing users:
    • After logging in, click “Opportunities” under the “My Applications” section
    • Click the “Apply Now” button to the right of the “Public Call” label
    • Confirm your county of residence, click “Save Draft,” and then click “Next”
    • Under the heading “I am applying as a,” select “Poetry Out Loud Judge” from the dropdown menu
    • Complete the remaining application questions and click “Next” 
    • Click the checkbox under “Acknowledgment” to verify that you have read the Judge’s Guide and watched at least one recitation video
    • Electronically sign and date your completed application, and then click "Submit"

MSAC compensates judges for their work. Compensation details are included with open judges' calls.

All judges' payments are processed through the State of Maryland's centralized payment system. Payments take six to eight weeks to process. Please review the full payment processing timeline for more information.

Working for MSAC offers the opportunity to join a dedicated team committed to advancing creative expression, cultural heritage, and equitable access to the arts, all while enjoying meaningful work and exceptional benefits. Employees benefit from generous leave policies, comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, flexible schedules, teleworking options, and free local mass transit, along with tax-advantaged savings accounts and eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs.