Subject
title
Proclamation Declaring October 2025, as Arts and Humanities Month
end
Department
City Manager's Office (CMO)
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor and Council read and approve the proclamation, and present it to Karen Askin, Chair of the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission.
Discussion
October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM), a collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. NAHM was launched by Americans for the Arts more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1993, it was reestablished by Americans for the Arts and national arts partners as a month-long celebration, with goals of:
FOCUSING on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels;
ENCOURAGING individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts;
ALLOWING governments and businesses to show their support for the arts; and
RAISING public awareness about the arts and humanities' positive impact on our communities and lives.
The arts are a national asset and should be available everywhere to everyone-and while a majority of the public, based on public opinion polling and other research, believes this, it’s often not their default way of thinking about the arts. National Arts & Humanities Month is an opportunity for everyone to help change public perception and promote the crucial role of the arts and humanities in promoting individual well-being, addressing trauma, connecting cultures, highlighting inequities, and making our communities healthier and more robust.
The City of Rockville’s Cultural Arts Commission promotes and enhances the Arts and Humanities throughout the City. The Commission recommends to the Mayor and Council appropriate programs, activities, and policies to further develop Rockville as a cultural center. Rockville offers residents and visitors various amenities like the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, the historic Glenview Mansion, and the Art in Public Places program. Residents and visitors also benefit from other quality arts and humanities organizations in Rockville.
Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in what has become the country’s largest annual collective celebration of the Arts and Humanities. Here are a few ways you can celebrate.
• Read a book.
• Dance to the music you love.
• Put your child’s artwork on the refrigerator.
• Take an art lesson.
• Watch a theatrical production.
• Snap your picture with a piece of Rockville Public Art.
• Explore a local art gallery.
• Sing in the car.
• Advocate for the arts.
• Buy art from a local artist.
• Participate in the National Arts & Humanities Month #ShowYourArt Instagram campaign.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Cultural Arts Commission recommends that the Mayor and Council declare October as National Arts and Humanities Month.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council present this proclamation annually.
Public Notification and Engagement
Activities Schedule in and Around Rockville:October 1: Arts and humanities workshops at the Rockville Senior Center (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Beginner Watercolor
• Your Story, Your Voice: A Writing Workshop
• Advanced Watercolor
October 1-3: Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington’s “Departure Golden Jubilee Art Exhibition” At the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery.
October 3: Spanish Heritage Celebration at the Rockville Senior Center (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
October 3-5: Rockville Little Theatre, "Woman in Black" Tickets are $24 for adults and $22 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased in-person, by telephone at 240-214-8690, or online at <https://fscottfitzgerald.showare.com/>.
October 6: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Dia de los Muertos
• Piecemakers' Club (Quilting)
October 7: Information for these programs at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Intermediate Watercolor
• Handbells #1
• Handbells #2
October 8: Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Storytelling with Erin: The Road Taken
• Beginner Watercolor
• Your Story, Your Voice: A Writing Workshop
• Advanced Watercolor
October 12: Rockville Concert Band, "Winds of the Night" 3pm F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater.
October 12: The Maryland Pastel Society's Shades of Pastel 2025, a national juried exhibit, on display from Oct. 12 through Nov. 26. The "Meet the Artists" event will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery.
October 13: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Apron Decorating
• Piecemakers' Club (Quilting)
October 14: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Intermediate Watercolor
• Handbells #1
• Handbells #2
October 15: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Beginner Watercolor
• Advanced Watercolor
October 17: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Moss Art Workshop
October 18:
• F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival. (Information at Home Page - F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference Inc.) <https://fitzgeraldfestival.com/>
• Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show ((Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
October 20: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Crafting with Tammy: Sea Glass Tree
• Piecemakers' Club (Quilting)
• Intermediate Watercolor
October 21: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Intermediate Watercolor
• Handbells #1
• Handbells #2
• Painting with Cathy: Puffy Painting on Pumpkins
October 22: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Beginner Watercolor
• Advanced Watercolor
October 23: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Book Club
• Felt Ornaments
October 25: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Mini-Creep (trick or treating for little ones)
October 27:
• Piecemakers' Club (Quilting) (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band - A Springstreen Celebration (Information at Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band - A Springsteen Celebration - Visit Montgomery) <https://visitmontgomery.com/events/hank-azaria-and-the-ez-street-band-a-springsteen-celebration/>
October 28: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Intermediate Watercolor
• Handbells #1
• Handbells #2
October 29: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Beginner Watercolor
October 31: (Information at ••Calendar Rockville, MD CivicEngage) <https://www.rockvillemd.gov/calendar.aspx?Keywords=&startDate=10/01/2025&enddate=10/31/2025&CID=14,88,84&showPastEvents=false>
• Halloween Costume Bash
Boards and Commissions Review
The Cultural Arts Commission recommends that the Mayor and Council declare October as National Arts and Humanities Month.