Maryland State Arts Council Receives NASAA’s 2024 DEI Agency Award

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has named the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) the recipient of its 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Agency Award for the MSAC’s Land Acknowledgment Project. The DEI Agency award recognizes a state arts agency that has fostered and developed diversity, equity and inclusion in its work and shown insight and fortitude in advancing DEI across the state. The award for agencies includes $2,500 to be used in support of the recipient’s DEI work.

The Land Acknowledgement Project of the MSAC is a collection of resources centering the experiences of Indigenous people in the place now known as Maryland. The project includes a statewide Indigenous land acknowledgement statement read aloud at the beginning of all MSAC public meetings, a resource guide with an overview of land acknowledgement statements and how arts agencies and artists can ethically create their own, recommendations for how non-Indigenous people may move toward positive change led by tribal peoples, and maps and resources on tribal histories.

“NASAA congratulates the Maryland State Arts Council as the 2024 recipient of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award,” said NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux. “The Land Acknowledgment Project is a shining example of a state arts agency demonstrating exceptional efforts to support and advance DEI in its state. By addressing Indigenous erasure and working to build authentic, respectful relationships with tribal communities, the project sets a powerful precedent for arts agencies nationwide. NASAA is thrilled to celebrate Maryland’s impactful and visionary work—work that educates, informs and also paves the way for lasting, positive change.”