Christopher Singing Hawk James receives Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council

Administered by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, the MSAC's highly competitive Individual Artists Award (IAA) Program recognizes the unique contribution made by artists to the cultural vitality of Maryland. An out-of-state jury reviews submissions anonymously and recommends awards for Maryland artists.

"Artists of this high caliber are the core of Maryland's modern creative economy," said Hannah Byron, Assistant Secretary, Department of Tourism, Film and the Arts, "their work is essential to the arts, which generate a billion dollars a year in Maryland and improve our quality of life across the board."

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, has recognized 100 Maryland artists from 15 counties across the state for creating work of exceptional quality within a range of disciplines. This class of outstanding artists was selected from more than 400 applicants, and will be awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 to advance their artistic careers.