May 29th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) announced on Wednesday that the Embassy Theatre will receive $4,000 in emergency grant funding to defray income lost due to cancelled programming during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Awards totaling $1 million dollars have been approved by the Council for 64 arts organizations and 61 independent artists in the state of Maryland. The Embassy was the only recipient of these emergency arts funds in Allegany County.
In an email announcing the awards, Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz said, “The arts are an important economic generator in Maryland, but they are also vital to our quality of life and rich culture. It was important to support Maryland’s artists and arts organizations through this challenging time as the strength of our creative community will help in our overall recovery efforts and ensure Maryland remains one of the best places to experience the arts.”
Said Ken Skrzesz, MSAC’s Executive Director, “The Emergency Grant, with the full support of the leadership at Maryland Commerce, was developed, announced, reviewed, and funded as quickly as possible to bolster Maryland creatives in this difficult time.” A portion of MSAC’s Emergency Grant funding comes from a $467,900 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Additional funding comes from MSAC’s annual appropriation from the State of Maryland.
“I am very grateful for this support from MSAC,” said Embassy Executive Director Jerard Puckett. “This will help ensure the Embassy can continue through these difficult times.” The Embassy Theatre Corporation is a Maryland not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization charged with maintaining the 1930s Embassy Theatre building as a venue for the performing arts.
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