Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Inc. is a statewide arts advocacy organization, founded in 1977 to represent all Maryland artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. Our principal mission is to promote adequate funding for the Maryland State Arts Council, to advocate for the arts at the state and federal levels, and to increase public recognition and support of the arts in Maryland.

MCA’s advocacy services fall within two categories: educating (lobbying) state lawmakers about the arts and informing Maryland citizens about how they can support public arts funding. MCA also provides “One Voice for all the Arts in Maryland.” It serves Marylanders interested in the arts and the role they play in economic vitality, education, and quality of life. The Foundation’s research culls topical data and its education programs not only provide informational updates on the MSAC, key state appointments and activities, and status reports on the state budget, but also nurture connections among arts professionals, arts supporters, and artists, as well as their audiences. MCA Foundation works closely with partner organizations such as the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), Community Arts Alliance of Maryland (CAAM), county arts councils, Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS), and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA). Current programming reaches all career levels of arts professionals, from executive directors to emerging arts leaders to interns, from board members to volunteers. Overall, the Foundation was conceived to emphasize the connections between the arts, cultural diversity, quality education, economic development and government.