Call for Panelists: Maryland Traditions

 Each of these programs supports traditional arts, defined as community-based living cultural traditions handed down by example or word of mouth. Details are below.

Heritage Awards panelists will evaluate nominations for Maryland people, places, and traditions that represent long-term achievement in the traditional arts. All selected panelists will be expected to:

  • Evaluate Heritage Award nominations on their own time, with all digital submissions due in winter
  • Attend one required virtual orientation in fall and one synchronous virtual panel meeting in winter, as scheduled by staff
  • Receive compensation of $350, assuming the completion of all scheduled assignments

Folklife Apprenticeship panelists will evaluate applications to fund two-person teams in which traditional arts knowledge is passed from a master to an apprentice artist. All selected panelists will be expected to:

  • Evaluate Folklife Apprenticeship applications on their own time, with digital submissions occurring on multiple schedules throughout the year, and individual panelist assignments set by MSAC staff
  • Attend one required virtual orientation with the possibility of also attending one synchronous virtual panel meeting in spring, according to schedules set by MSAC staff
  • Receive compensation of between $350 and $650, assuming the completion of all scheduled assignments and depending on individual panelist workload

Folklife Network panelists will evaluate applications for continuing funding at some of Maryland’s eight regional folklife centers, or traditional arts resource centers. All selected panelists will be expected to:

  • Evaluate Folklife Network applications on their own time, with digital submissions due in winter
  • Agree to the possibility of conducting individual interviews with applicants, as directed by MSAC staff
  • Attend one required virtual orientation and one synchronous virtual panel meeting in winter, as scheduled by staff
  • Receive compensation of between $350 and $400, assuming the completion of all scheduled assignments and depending on individual panelist workload

What we are looking for:

  • Maryland residents with backgrounds in a variety of arts administration and cultural worker roles, or who are interested in learning how MSAC grant applications are evaluated;
  • Maryland residents familiar with one or more of the following MSAC programs: Heritage Awards, Folklife Apprenticeship, or Folklife Network;
  • Traditional artists of all kinds, including former grantees of the Heritage Awards or Folklife Apprenticeship programs;
  • Team members, constituents, or supporters of one of Maryland’s eight regional folklife centers;
  • Or, Maryland residents comprising a wide geographic representation of the state, especially the western Maryland, southern Maryland, and Eastern Shore regions

How to apply:

  • Click Apply Now to log in or create a free account in SmartSimple. You must be registered as an “Independent Artist” to apply to be a panelist (although you do not actually have to be an independent artist, the “Independent Artist” label is necessary to apply).
  • Under Funding Opportunities, select "Public Call."
  • Select "Panelist" from the first drop down option. 
  • Select the Grant Program of your choosing—either “Maryland Traditions Heritage Awards,” “Maryland Traditions Apprenticeship,” or “Maryland Folklife Network,” from the second drop down option.
  • Click "Save Draft" at the bottom to populate the application.
  • Complete the application and click “Submit.”