Howard County Arts Council serves and enriches our community by fostering the arts, artists, and arts organizations.

Howard County Arts Council • 8510 High Ridge Rd • Ellicott City, MD 21043 • 410-313-2787 • www.hocoarts.org

HOWARD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLAN 19-23Image: Chapel Oak Vessel, Foon Sham, Robinson Nature Center

MISSION VISIONA diverse and vibrant arts community that is central to our lives and our dynamic region.

CORE VALUESINTEGRITY Foster trust, honor and respect.

COLLABORATION Engage & develop partnerships to enhance our collective strengths.

INNOVATION Encourage creativity & excellence in the production & delivery of all art forms.

INCLUSION Cultivate a diverse & inclusive arts culture.

Increase public awareness of the arts through strategic and collaborative marketing.Work to reach and engage diverse artists, arts organizations, and audiences.Connect artists, arts organizations, and audiences to community resources and opportunities.Facilitate arts advocacy on a local, state, and national level.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTPromote the arts to facilitate meaningful engagement

As a local arts council, we work for the collective benefit of arts organizations and artists in Howard County. We advocate for the arts on a local and state level – communicating the value of the arts to local and state elected officials. We provide affordable space to exhibit, create and perform – a resource that many artists and small art organizations rely on. And we fund the arts – as the designated arts agency for Howard County, we award grants and provide the financial support necessary to deliver high-quality arts programming to the public.

ABOUT

LEADERSHIP Be a catalyst for positive change & the lead advocate for the arts.

EDUCATION Promote participation in the arts & encourage life-ong learning.

COMMITMENT Demonstrate passion & dedication to the arts.

• Enhance service to artists and our community by improving and/or expanding the Arts Council’s physical space.

• Cultivate creativity and engagement through life-long learning in the arts.

• Create an environment that values individual artistic expression and fosters the growth of emerging and professional artists.

• Provide accessible, affordable rental space for the arts community.

• Serve as an incubator for artists and arts organizations.

PROGRAMS & SERVICESSupport, provide, and expand access to diverse arts experiences.

Howard County Arts Council • 8510 High Ridge Rd • Ellicott City, MD 21043 • 410-313-2787 • www.hocoarts.org

• Support and advance community arts organizations and broaden opportunities for audiences.

• Provide leadership and expertise to the arts community.• Promote effective partnerships to extend the impact of

the arts.• Advocate for public funding and policies.

COMMUNITY ARTS DEVELOPMENTStrengthen & broaden the position of the arts in Howard County.

• Enhance staff capacity and productivity.• Optimize Board engagement and effectiveness.• Serve as a model county arts council by integrating &

promoting best practices.• Maintain and update existing technology to ensure

efficiency and sustainability.• Deploy technology strategically to improve

organizational efficiency and communications.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITYAdvance the organizational capacity of the Arts Council.

• Diversify funding sources to enable growth and support strategic initiatives.

• Maintain strong financial management and oversight to ensure sustainability.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITYEnsure the financial sustainability of the Arts Council.