Frederick Arts Council, home to the local artist. But the home keeps moving…

As state-designated arts agencies, Arts Councils are chartered to serve as a pillar of support for artists and arts organizations alike. However, the recent sale of the Frederick Arts Council and a changing landscape for local artists has spurred ripples of concern throughout the artistic community.

For artists and arts organizations reliant on the Frederick Arts Council, its upheaval looms large. Many viewed the building as a castle in the sky — beautifully mesmerizing and shocked to know it was within reach. The Council symbolized a beacon of hope and accessibility — the hub to foster creativity and promote cultural arts in the County.

Since its establishment as a local art center in 2019, the FAC Art Center has aspired to be a vital lifeline for creatives, offering resources, funding opportunities, and a platform for showcasing their work. In addition to programs and events produced by FAC, such as the Art Center’s Open Mic series, Joe Keys, and After Hours, the building offered pro-bono, low-bono, or competitively priced rental space to local artists and creatives, such as Endangered Species Theatre, OUT40,  Could Be Better, and others. However, some creatives say the management of the building and its programs fell short of transparently serving the local creative community.

Around six months ago, the President of the FAC board resigned for reasons unknown. While former board members claim there are no actual budget constraints, current members suggest otherwise. Rumored of relocation, the downtown Frederick County Bank might open the building’s back entrance as an alternative space, although this decision would likely fall under the purview of the Executive Director and Board. The FAC building, operational since 2019, has now sold for $850,000, prompting the imminent relocation of the FAC to a new site.

Rumblings indicate fiscal mismanagement, with the distribution of Individual ARPA Artist grants by the FAC possibly contributing to the building’s closure. Requests for financial documents through the State have not been answered. This raises questions about budget planning and potential broader mismanagement issues. Is this indicative of a statewide trend among Arts Councils? The lack of transparency in communicating with the public and constituents fuels speculation.

I’d say that for some County Arts Agencies, what you’re describing is happening. For others, they are thriving. The 24 of them are really all over the spectrum in terms of what community engagement looks like. Many of them are still stuck doing their own “pet projects” and are not serving the community.

The big difference, in my opinion, of County Arts Agencies who are really doing the work, is those who are practicing an authentic community engagement model that is focused in equity. – Dana Parsons, The Leadership Institute for Compassionate Changemaking

[READ: Strategic Community Gatherings: MCA’s Plan for Black Arts in Maryland]

The Council’s role as a destination for artistic collaboration and networking could be jeopardized — even for a moment, leaving an air of uncertainty. Despite the high demand for the Arts Center, many feel it fell short in engaging with the community, particularly minority artists, reigniting old complaints of unmet community needs. But more importantly, the community was and still is, left in the dark about its sale. This reflects a lack of community investment and erodes public trust.

expression.

“If the potential sale of the Art Center goes through, it will of course be sad to lose one of our few live music venues in Frederick. FAC provided a space that welcomed all different types of artistic expression, and I hope they will continue to do so, even if through their other endeavors. This space has been a jumping-off point for myself with the Brain Dead Live project and so many other artists and organizers working hard to push arts and music culture forward in Frederick. With or without the space, Frederick has a thriving creative population and we’re going to keep working to build community around the arts.”  – Dylan Zingg, FAC Patron

For people like Dylan, the uncertainty surrounding the future ownership and management of the Council threatens to disrupt the artistic landscape, casting a shadow over the arts as a whole and sparking fears of diminished support for local creatives. It is essential for the community to unite in upholding the FAC’s mission and to prioritize artists in these deliberations.

Written by Kiki Wilson and Nicole Ringel