DeVos Institute launches Baltimore program

February 09, 2015

Capacity Building: Baltimore will provide arts and cultural organizations with intensive training in such areas as long-term artistic planning, board development and engagement, marketing, fundraising, and strategic planning. The program begins February 18, 2015, with a group seminar in Baltimore led by DeVos Institute Chairman Michael M. Kaiser. Capacity Building: Baltimore will provide executives and board members with intensive, one-on-one consultation as they proceed with complex capacity building projects, including joint ventures, mergers, succession planning, capital campaigns, and real estate expansion. 

“We are honored to have this chance to work with Baltimore’s arts community,” said Mr. Kaiser. “The DeVos Institute has led capacity building programs across the United States and around the world, and we are deeply grateful that our new relationship with the University of Maryland enables us to serve the cultural sector in Baltimore.”

“This program has a perfect sense of direction, taking the University’s expertise directly to a Maryland community where it can make a tremendous difference,” said UMD President Wallace D. Loh.   “As the need for private support of the arts increases, Michael Kaiser’s international expertise in strengthening the management of community organizations could not be more timely or valuable.”

Throughout the two years of the program, each organization will be paired with a DeVos Institute advisor who will provide ongoing, individualized consultation tailored to local realities. Participants will also take part in regular online master classes and four additional group seminars. 

“We want to ensure that Baltimore’s dynamic, diverse cultural scene is sustainable and well-positioned to serve the city for generations,” said DeVos Institute President Brett Egan. “That’s why we are so pleased to work with Baltimore’s arts leaders to build and strengthen their organizations, as well as to provide a forum to discuss common challenges.”

The 20 organizations selected through a competitive application process are:

1. Arts Every Day
2. Asian Arts & Culture Center
3. Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Inc.
4. Baltimore Clayworks
5. Baltimore Concert Opera
6. The Baltimore Museum of Art 
7. Baltimore Talent Education Center
8. Chesapeake Arts Center
9. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company 
10. Concert Artists of Baltimore
11. Creative Alliance
12. Jewish Museum of Maryland
13. Make Studio
14. Maryland Film Festival
15. Neighborhood Design Center
16. Performing Arts at CCBC
17. Port Discovery Children’s Museum 
18. Single Carrot Theatre 
19. Station North Arts & Entertainment 
20. Young Audiences/Arts for Learning

Capacity Building: Baltimore is made possible with support of the University of Maryland. Organizing support for Capacity Building: Baltimore is provided by the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance and the Maryland Humanities Council. 

This timely program reflects the recognition that many organizations that comprise Baltimore’s diverse and respected cultural sector need arts management training to support their long-term sustainability, particularly as the city’s cultural landscape continues to evolve. The DeVos Institute has led similar, successful capacity building initiatives in Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Portland, in addition to its work with thousands of organizations throughout the United States and around the world.

MEDIA CONTACT

Joseph Heitz, Director of External Relations

jeheitz@devosinstitute.net

301.314.0957