The Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster is a list of juried Maryland-based artists who have a demonstrated history of successful, professional touring engagements.

MSAC uses the roster to promote artistic collaboration between Maryland touring artists and Maryland presenters with the goal of increasing touring engagements for Maryland professional performing artists. To view the Roster, click here to access our Arts Directory. A PDF of the Roster with links to Directory profiles can also be found by clicking here

Applications to join the Touring Roster are accepted on a rolling basis from July 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 with a monthly review process

Applicants must be:

  • A Maryland resident and 18+ (if a group, all members must be 18+ and at least 50% must be MD residents)
  • If a group, the company’s primary place of business must be located in Maryland
  • College and university-based performers must perform regularly off-campus for professional fees
  • If the company or group has its own nonprofit status, the makeup of the performing ensemble must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above for Performing Companies/Groups
  • Be able to demonstrate a successful history of professional touring engagements
  • Review all eligibility requirements in the program guidelines

Please note that application forms in Smart Simple have been updated for FY25. Your application ID # should begin with '2025.' If it does not, you are working off a draft started from a previous year and will not be able to submit it. Please open a new FY25 application under the "Opportunities" menu to begin a new application

In addition to reviewing the guidelines document in the "Quick Resources" box, please review the following resources that are available to assist you during the application process:

For additional support, you can find the FY 2025 scoring rubric, and other relevant documents in the "Resources" section below.

Arts Services Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss are available to review a draft of your application prior to submission. If you are interested in this, please contact them directly (emily.sollenberger@maryland.gov or laura.weiss@maryland.gov) for assistance. Please allow for several weeks for processing.

If your application was declined for funding, you can request feedback by completing the form here. Please allow for several weeks for processing.

 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from July 2024 through April 30, 2025. Applications are reviewed monthly. Touring Roster applications submitted by the last day of the month will be reviewed by the panel in the following month, with notifications to follow early the following month. See Guidelines for a detailed schedule.

MSAC convenes a group of panelists, composed of members of the public statewide representing a range of discipline expertise, to electronically review and score all applications according to the review criteria above.

Applications, including all work samples, must be completed in Smart Simple

Touring Roster applicants will be notified of their Roster status via Smart Simple following the monthly review of their application. The notification will include further instructions on setting up an Arts Directory profile page and other steps as a new Roster member. Please refer to the guidelines for additional details on the review schedule

There are no Reporting requirements for Roster Artists. Artists who are accepted onto the Touring Roster will be asked to renew their Roster Artist status once every three years; the renewal application will be reviewed by MSAC staff.