MSAC will begin accepting nominations for 2022 Maryland Heritage Awards on Wednesday, September 1st. We invite you to nominate individuals, places, and traditions for outstanding achievement in traditional arts and culture. Awards are $5,000 each. Nominations are due Friday, October 15, at 5 p.m. Begin a nomination using MSAC’s application system, SmartSimple. Log in to SmartSimple or create a free account at marylandarts.smartsimple.com.
Maryland Traditions, the traditional arts program of MSAC, has given Heritage Awards annually since 2007. Awards are given based on a nominee’s sustained commitment to a particular traditional practice, current importance to communities in which that traditional practice is important, and past contributions to that traditional practice. Each year, winners are chosen in the categories of Person or People, Place, and Tradition. Click here to see a list of past winners, and to read the Heritage Awards guidelines and evaluation criteria.
MSAC will host a free webinar on Tuesday, August 31st, 1 - 2 p.m. entitled “How to Make a Heritage Award Nomination.” Anyone interested in learning more about the Heritage Award and nomination strategies is welcome to attend. Click here to register.
If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Folklife Specialist Ryan Koons at ryan.koons@maryland.gov. If you require any accommodations to access the nomination form, please contact msac.commerce@maryland.gov. If you have questions about the SmartSimple application system, please contact Grants Management Associate Tammy Oppel at tammy.oppel@maryland.gov.