Arts group needs help to restart scholarships

Donations are sought to fund program again

Friday, Dec. 18, 2009

The Charles County Arts Alliance is relying on the generosity of the community to resurrect a scholarship program that died last year because of the rough economy.

The scholarships target budding artists of all media in local high schools and the College of Southern Maryland.

The nonprofit organization, established in 1987, has sponsored the arts scholarship program since the mid-1990s, said Robert Rausch, a past president of the organization who now chairs the budget and finance committee. The program offers $1,000 scholarships to a senior in each of the county's high schools and a freshman at the College of Southern Maryland, he said.

"We had to write the program out last year because of our financial situation," he said. "Our grant money from the state was cut so we had to cancel some of our programs."

Rausch said arts alliance officials projected that the organization would receive a $101,242 grant in fiscal 2010 from the Maryland Arts Council but the group only obtained $90,098.

"That's about a 10 percent loss of grant funding, and we've already committed more than $40,000 of grant money to other programs," he said, adding the organization's total annual budget is $133,000. "We had no money left for the scholarship program last year."

The Charles County commissioners always allot some funding to the alliance, Rausch said, adding that the organization received $11,000 in county money in fiscal 2010 and is expected to receive $10,700 in fiscal 2011, which begins July 1.

The organization promotes music, visual art, drama, dance and literature in the county and sponsors a variety of programs and events, including the annual River Arts Fest in Indian Head, artist workshops in La Plata and the Artists in Education program.

The alliance is seeking donations from people to make sure the scholarship program takes wing again next year, Rausch said, adding that the organization's 170 members have already collected $2,000 of the $7,000 they need for the program.

The Give a Gift-Get a Gift campaign runs through Dec. 31 and donors will get a free membership in the alliance in exchange for their monetary contributions to the campaign, Rausch said.

In addition, the names of people who contribute to the cause will be placed in a Jan. 9 drawing for one of three free dinners for two at Outback Steakhouse, Rausch said. The drawing will take place at a reception held by the alliance at the Old Waldorf School.

It is important to help young artists to hone their talents in whatever artistic endeavor they want to pursue, Rausch said.

"We have to look to the future," he said. "If we don't support our up-and-coming artists and help them meet their goals down the road we won't have the arts anymore."

nmcconaty@somdnews.com

Keep the arts alive

The Charles County Arts Alliance is seeking donations to help fund the nonprofit organization's scholarship program that provides $1,000 arts scholarships to county high school and College of Southern Maryland students.

The Give a Gift-Get a Gift campaign provides people with the opportunity to donate $25, $40, $60, $100, $125 or more to the program in exchange for a one-year membership in the arts alliance.

In addition, those who donate to the campaign will have their names placed in a Jan. 9 special drawing for one of three free dinners for two at Outback Steakhouse.

Donations must be received by Dec. 31. Send a check or money order to the Charles County Arts Alliance, P.O. Box 697, White Plains MD 20695.

For more information, go to www.charlescountyarts.org or call 301-392-5900.