As 2015 comes to a close, the Board of Directors and staff of the Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) thanks the community for its support of the Center these past 12 months. The participation and assistance provided by members, businesses and friends have enabled DCA to continue to provide and expand art program offerings.

Now in its 45th year, DCA is committed to its role as the anchor in the Arts and Entertainment District in Cambridge, and to all of Dorchester County, working to enhance the quality, variety and affordability of the art experience in the region. Community members, who have taken a class, attended a concert, watched a play or viewed a gallery show, can recognize the impact arts organizations have on economic revitalization, and know how critical they are to the quality of life.

Anyone can help keep the arts alive in Dorchester County by contributing to DCA’s Annual Holiday Appeal funds drive. Gifts are tax-deductible, and will help sustain the Center’s operating budget. Donations can be mailed to: Dorchester Center for the Arts, 321 High St., Cambridge, MD 21613, or can be made online by visiting the website at dorchesterarts.org. and clicking on “Donate.” When donating, be sure to specify that the gift is for the Annual Holiday Appeal.

Another giving option is to make an IRA rollover gift for tax year 2015. The IRA charitable rollover for tax year 2015 allows individuals 70 ½ and older to donate up to $100,000 in IRA assets to a qualified charitable organization. The IRA charitable rollover is tax-free and not included in a donor’s adjusted gross income. A gift to a charitable organization from an         individual’s IRA can count toward the annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) by the IRS.  Transfers must be made directly from your IRA to the Dorchester Center for the Arts. Transfers must be completed by 12/31/15 in order to qualify as a tax year 2015 gift. Contact your financial advisor to learn how to process your gift.

Community Arts Grants deadline is Dec. 31

Applications are now being accepted for organizations wishing to apply for The Community Arts Grants program. Applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31. These grants are an allocation of the Dorchester Center for the Arts as the designated Dorchester County Arts Council, and monies are to be used for arts programming.

The Community Arts Grants program is an effort of the Dorchester Center for the Arts, as the designated county Arts Council, to support and expand arts programming throughout our county.  These funds, allocated by the Maryland State Arts Council, are intended to encourage arts programming and arts participation across the county. Supported arts disciplines include dance, theatre, visual arts, music, film/media arts, literary arts, folk/heritage/traditional and multi-disciplinary arts programming.

Guidelines and applications can be obtained on the Center’s website at www.dorchesterarts.org.

DCA Holiday Hours

The Dorchester Center for the Arts will be closed for the holidays beginning Dec. 24. The Center will reopen on Jan. 2, 2016.

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Mickey Love, executive director.