Building a Stronger Prince George’s Through the Arts

Our mission is simple: to drive Prince George County’s diverse creative economy through sustainable and equitable programs, advocacy, education, and financial support.

What We Do

At the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC), our purpose is to champion artistic achievement and the boundless power of creative expression in all its diverse forms. We are dedicated to nurturing a lifelong love for the arts and humanities, with a special focus on educational programs tailored to young minds. We firmly believe that the arts and humanities possess the extraordinary capacity to unite people across racial, cultural, social, and generational divides. With this profound belief at our core, PGAHC is committed to weaving stronger, more vibrant communities through collaborative efforts in education, government, business, and private funding partnerships. Our passion is to empower creativity, spark innovation, and create a world where the arts and humanities are a source of inspiration for all. Welcome to PGAHC, where creativity thrives and communities flourish.

Contact Us

1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774

info@pgahc.org
(301) 772-8943

Our Vision

The Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) envisions a vibrant community where artists, cultural organizations, and creative enterprises thrive. This community is supported by equitable resources, collaborative partnerships, and a shared commitment to making the arts a vital means for Prince George’s County’s economic growth.

Impact Statements

PGAHC utilizes the arts to address the following community challenges and to foster a prosperous, vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic Prince George's County:

PGAHC is dedicated to making the arts and humanities accessible to everyone. We accomplish this by providing a variety of high-quality events, workshops, and educational programs that are either free or low-cost. This commitment fosters an inclusive environment where all individuals can enjoy the richness and benefits of artistic and cultural activities.
PGAHC drives economic growth in Prince George's County by investing in cultural infrastructure, neighborhood beautification, the local film industry, and event production. The County's nonprofit arts and culture sector contributes $52 million annually, benefiting the local economy and supporting the County’s for-profit arts and culture industry. PGAHC's provision of resources, grants, and services is vital for sustaining a vibrant artistic community and creating future economic opportunities.
PGAHC is committed to celebrating and safeguarding Prince George’s County’s rich cultural heritage, diversity, and history. We aim to create a more culturally rich community through various initiatives such as impactful public art, creative placemaking and placekeeping, neighborhood revitalization, educational programs, exhibitions, and preservation projects. We unite people through community engagement, visioning, and partnerships that respect authenticity and foster a sense of pride and connection in our collective identity.
Through our innovative learning approach, we proudly partner with artists, educators, and organizations to forge inclusive opportunities for learning and workforce development in Prince George’s County. Our Arts-in-Education programs and unique apprenticeship initiatives enrich the learning experiences for both youth and adults. These programs empower participants to think critically and creatively, to cultivate essential skills, and to prepare for success in the dynamic creative industries. They also equip individuals to thrive in a diverse and ever-evolving world.

Through these sustained efforts, PGAHC is enhancing the quality of life for our residents and ensuring that the arts and humanities remain a vital, celebrated, and integral part of our community for generations to come. By embracing the arts, we can transform communities, creating bright environments where everyone can flourish.

Our Programs

AIPP was formed to provide meaningful opportunities for artists, to contribute to the development of art and culture in Prince George's County, and to visually enhance public settings for its citizens.
The program also strives to further its mission through collaborations with other organizations and private sector construction in the County to facilitate the presence of public artwork in a greater variety of locations.
Creative Placemaking was established to strengthen communities by using arts and culture to activate public spaces, celebrate local identity, and foster community pride across Prince George’s County. The initiative brings residents, artists, and civic partners together to transform familiar spaces into vibrant, meaningful places that reflect the stories and heritage of those who live there.
The program also advances its mission by supporting dynamic public events, creative installations, and partnerships that ensure arts-driven community development is inclusive, authentic, and accessible throughout the County.
Launched in 2016, the Prince George’s Film Office provides full comprehensive services to the film industry looking to film in Prince George’s County and the County’s growing cluster of emerging film production, entertainment, and related companies
Beyond being a dedicated space for local talent, Arts’tination serves as a dynamic creative incubator, providing support and resources to local artists while driving economic growth in the creative industries.
Through creativity, innovation, and collaboration, PGAHC's Arts in Education program offers high-quality accessible artistic opportunities for all children in Prince George's County.
Through our Arts in Education program, we aim to foster a lifelong love of the arts in students, while also promoting academic success and personal growth.
The Prince George's County Office of the Poet Laureate presents literary and cultural programs, forums and conversations that engage the community in broad and extended dialogue with poets, spoken word artists, and artisans representing a variety of disciplines.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities tailored for fashion designers and music artists, DPARK 3311 is a vibrant hub for innovation and collaboration. From artist co-working days to professional development workshops, DPARK 3311 provide support artists need to thrive.
The Community Grants program is the signature grant initiative of PGAHC. Its purpose is to enhance capacity, offer technical assistance, and provide project-based funding to artists, cultural practitioners, arts and cultural organizations, and K-12 schools in Prince George's County. Additionally, the program grants funding to organizations that deliver arts programming to underrepresented and underserved populations within the County.

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Our History

The year was 1981…

The Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council was legislated by the Prince George’s County Council to be the Arts Agency for the County.

It started with a group of arts professionals and enthusiasts in Prince George’s County, Maryland who gathered at a Spring luncheon with a common pursuit: use the arts to enhance the quality of life for all residents, young and old. By the end of the luncheon, a concept for what would originally be called the Prince George’s County Arts Council was born.

The founders of the new Arts Council in Prince George’s County quickly got to work. With the original office being located at 13 Ridge Road in Greenbelt, MD, Articles of Incorporation were drawn up and submitted by Albert K. Herling on Dec. 7, 1981. This action served to officially form a non-profit corporation under and by virtue of the General Laws of the State of Maryland. Herling, along with Joan Bryce and William Weintraub became the first directors of the newly formed organization.

Founded on the purpose to promote, foster, encourage, coordinate, and exchange information and activities concerning culture and arts, an inaugural fundraising program was set for January of 1982 which included a special effort to reach out to Super Circle Members for support. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, the organization continued to hone its operations to fulfill its mission to promote and support the Arts in Prince George’s County.

In 2011, the organization came under new leadership and a rebranding effort geared towards being inclusive of more artistic disciplines. The organization was minted the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council.

Today, the PGAHC continues to promote arts initiatives and support the arts in the County by facilitating various grant programs as well as advocating for legislative support of the arts on the County and State levels.