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  • 101 Spring Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620
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Happening Now

The Kent Cultural Alliance Announces Leadership Transition

The Board of the Kent Cultural Alliance announces that after nine years as Executive Director, John Schratwieser will be stepping down from his role and “turning over the reins” to artist, curator, and community organizer Robert Blackson.
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Coming Soon

KCA Welcomes Back Former Resident Artist Ashley Minner Jones

Beyond Baltimore Street

Join us in August for an exhibition and several events.

Exhibition Opening and Panel Discussion: August 28, 2026 from 5 to 7 with Panel at 6 pm.

Artist Talk with Ashley Minner Jones: Saturday August 29 at 1 pm.

Native America’s Protectors with Keith Colston: Thursday September 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

Exhibition Closing Day September 19, 2026

more Info Here

Supporting Arts & Artists

Grants

We offer a number of grants throughout the year.

General Operating Grant

The General Operating Grant Application for FY26 is now CLOSED. FY27 Grants will be available in the fall of 2026.
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CLOSED

Independent Artist Grants

The Independent Artist Grant Application for 2027 will be available in February of 2027
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CLOSED

Project Grant

PROJECT GRANTS are reviewed in two cycles. For Projects happening between July 1 and December 31, applications should be submitted in the May Application Cycle (May 1 through May 31.) For Projects between January 1 and June 30, applications should be submitted in the November Cycle (November 1 through November 30.)
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CLOSED

Meet Our Staff & Board

John Schratwieser

Director

Director

John Schratwieser has served as Executive Director of the Kent Cultural Alliance since the Summer of 2017. With more than 30 years exepreience in nonprofit arts management, he brings a wealth of experience working on programming, grant making, board management and community development. John served as the Executive Director of Maryland Citizens for the Arts from 2010 - 2017 working as the lead advoacate for public funding for the arts in the state of Maryland. Previously, John was Executive Director of the Prince Theater Foundation (now the Garfield Center for the Arts). His career has lead him from New York (Lincoln Center Theater) to Atlanta, and Washignton DC (Signature Theatre). He lives in Chestertown with his husband, ceramic artist Mike Pugh. Email: John@kentculture.org Phone: 410-778-3700

Hester Sachse

DeputyDirector

Deputy Director

Originally from the Hudson Valley of New York, Hester fell in love with Kent County as a student at Washington College, graduating in 2009 with a degree in Theater. Since then, she has worked in arts education, nonprofit management, and hospitality, splitting time between Maryland and New York. Hester moved to Chestertown full time in 2015, finding a wonderful community and home on the Eastern Shore. She is excited to advocate for artists who live and work in the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment District and throughout Kent County with her new position at the Kent Cultural Alliance. An active theater artist, Hester was the Executive Manager at Church Hill Theatre from 2017-2019. She has also worked behind the scenes and onstage in many local productions at The Garfield Center for the Arts, Church Hill Theatre and Washington College. Email: hester@kentculture.org Phone: 410-778-3700
Meet Our Board of Directors

Creating Opportunites

Our Vision
& Mission

That all of Kent County’s communities have access to transformational arts programs to celebrate our shared humanity.

The Kent Cultural Alliance puts the arts to work creating opportunities for engagement, education, and connection across Kent County.

Proud to partner with

national endowment for the arts logo