ARTS

The arts reflect Maryland's geographic and cultural diversity from traditional Appalachian fiddle music in Western Maryland and African-American quilting on the lower Eastern Shore to experimental performance and media arts in metropolitan Baltimore and areas surrounding Washington, DC.

Maryland has arts institutions of national prominence, regional interdisciplinary arts institutions offering professional and amateur productions, and over 30 schools and academies devoted to training young artists. Some, like Baltimore's School for the Arts (a public high school) and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, offer public performances.

Maryland colleges and universities host touring art exhibits; dance and theater troupes; and soloists, chamber music groups, and orchestras. Among these are the Handel Festival and the International Piano Competition, University of Maryland, College Park; and the Distinguished Artist Series, U.S. Naval Academy, and the Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery, St. John's College, at Annapolis.

The State Arts Council supports the performing, visual and creative arts, including dance, drama, music drama, architecture, painting, sculpture, graphics, crafts, photography, design, film, television and creative writing.

ARTS BY COUNTY

ALLEGANY COUNTY
Frostburg State University, Lane Center, Frostburg (cultural events) (301) 687-4151

Frostburg State University, Performing Arts Center, Frostburg (301) 687-7460

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis (410) 263-5544, (410) 269-1087, (301) 261-1553
Mitchell Art Gallery, St. John's College, Annapolis (410) 263-2371

BALTIMORE CITY
American Visionary Art Museum (410) 244-1900
Arena Players (African-American theater) (410) 728-6500
Baltimore Museum of Art (410) 396-7100
Baltimore Symphony 1-800-442-1198
Center Stage (classic & contemporary drama) (410) 322-0033
Lyric Opera House (opera, ballet, musicals) (410) 685-5086
Peabody Institute (410) 659-8124
Peale Museum (410) 396-3523
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (410) 783-8000
Morris A. Mechanic Theatre (Broadway shows) (410) 625-4230
Walters Art Gallery (410) 547-9000

HOWARD COUNTY
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia (410) 730-2424

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Olney Theatre, Olney (301) 924-3400
Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville (301) 530-0540

WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown (301) 739-5727

WICOMICO COUNTY
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury (410) 742-4988

Maryland Manual On-Line