In addition to service as a cultural arts center, DCA also serves as the designated county arts council for Dorchester. As such, DCA receives funding from the Maryland State Arts Council to advance the arts in the county and to support arts programming by other nonprofit organizations. Grants are provided through a competitive application process, with two cycles each fiscal year. Although not every request can be funded in any given cycle, DCA encourages all those interested to apply. Application information is available on the DCA website at www.dorchesterarts.org. The next cycle will have a deadline of May 1, 2018.

For fiscal year 2017 (July 2017-June 2018) the following organizations and activities received support:

• Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance, Inc.: vocal and living history performances during the “Slave Dwelling Project Comes to Dorchester”

• Alpha Genesis CDC: Drumming and Folkloric Dance with Baba Dennis Minus – workshops exploring afro/Caribbean culture for youth and adults

• Christ Church Concert Series: performance by the Chesapeake Music Competition Winner

• Pleasant Day Adult Day Care: visiting artist instruction fee

• National Outdoor Foundation, Inc.: “Uprooted” carving demonstrations with Marty Long to be held during the National Outdoor Show

• Eastern Shore Hospital Center: “Platters that Matter and Dishes with Wishes” art therapy clay initiative

DCA is dedicated to enriching Maryland’s Eastern Shore community through high quality, engaging programming in the visual, literary, musical and performing arts. Your interest and your ideas are welcome! Come join us as we create community through the arts.

Dorchester Empty

Bowls Supper at DCA

Save the date! Dorchester Empty Bowls supper will be held on March 18, from 5-7 p.m., in the George B. Todd Performance Hall at DCA. Empty Bowls is a national project to raise hunger awareness, with each community event raising funds to address the issue locally. Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a supporter of this event that benefits Dorchester County food pantries. Tickets are $12.

Diners will receive a meal of homemade soup, bread, beverage, and dessert. In exchange for the ticket purchase, attendees will take home the bowl in which their soup is served. The purpose of the bowl is to act as a reminder that someone else’s bowl is always empty.

Reservations are required; there will be no tickets for sale at the door. Tickets can be purchased with cash or check at the Dorchester Center for the Arts. To charge online, visit Mid-Shore Community Foundation at www.mscf.org.

Donations are welcome in addition to ticket purchases. Get a head start on the supper by coming out to paint a bowl on Feb. 23 during the Friday Night Live Coffeehouse Open Mic from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free – all are welcome.

For more information on programs and events at DCA, call 410-228-7782, stop by 321 High St. in Cambridge, or visit online at dorchesterarts.org. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council, now celebrating 50 years of service to the arts.

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