With funding cuts expected from the city and county, the Frederick Arts Council has launched a new membership campaign. The goal is to add 500 new members over the next six months. Membership is open to anyone, including individuals, families, organizations, and small businesses. Membership fees start at just $25 for individuals and membership is open to artists and those who want to support the arts. The goal of this campaign is to recoup the $13,000 the organization had budgeted to receive from the city and county in the 2011 fiscal year, which starts July 1st.

In 2007, the “rubber duck-key” themed jersey designed by Bridget Von Briel was indeed lucky as some say it helped the Frederick Keys baseball team win the game that night. Last year, Frederick artist Bev Reidinger inspired a patriotic evening with her “Star Spangled Banner” jersey. Now, local residents have their own opportunity to design a jersey for the players to wear. As part of the fourth annual Art in the Park night at Harry Grove Stadium, members of the Frederick Keys will wear a uniquely-designed jersey.

American Style Magazine has named Frederick as one of the Top 25 Small Art Cities in the United States. Each year, AmericanStyle Magazine, a national publication that promotes the significance of handmade objects of art, has an annual competition to select the top twenty-five arts destinations in the United States, based on population numbers.

Yesterday, we had a small victory as the county commissioners voted 4-1 to restore $20,000 in funding to the arts. We want to thank them and all the residents who shared your opinions on this matter.