As Maryland faces ongoing budget pressure and uncertainty about future state support, arts organizations across the Eastern Shore are watching Annapolis closely. Historically, tight budgets have often hit the arts first, raising concerns about what lies ahead for local nonprofits in 2025 and 2026.
In this Spy interview, we spoke with Joan Levy, executive director of Talbot Arts, about how the county fared this year and what she sees coming next. Levy says Talbot Arts was “pleasantly surprised” by how well state funding held up, thanks largely to strong advocacy by the Maryland State Arts Council and Maryland Citizens for the Arts.
Looking ahead, Levy believes Talbot County is better positioned than many places to weather financial uncertainty. A deeply engaged community, strong private philanthropy, and seasoned leadership at major institutions such as the Avalon, Academy Art Museum, and Chesapeake Music provide the local arts scene with a solid foundation.
At the same time, Levy voices concern for smaller, volunteer-driven organizations and stresses the importance of continued support—especially for programs serving children and working artists. From school arts grants to summer scholarships and the innovative TRA Gallery in downtown Easton, Levy outlines a vision for 2026 rooted in access, stability, and direct support for Talbot County’s creative community.
This video is approximately eight minutes in length. For more information about Talbot Arts, please go here.
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