Walters Art Museum Honored By Howard County Arts Council

On February 12, 2009, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore honored the Howard County Government, the Howard County Arts Council, and the residents of Howard County for the support the County has given to the Walters throughout the years with a special gallery tour and reception; 100 people attended.

" Howard County has been a crucial partner to the museum and really appreciates the special programs we offer their students, children, families, and adults. We rely on this support to create and implement our programs," said Walters' Director Gary Vikan. "People in Howard County realize what a world-class resource they are able to access within minutes. The museum's permanent collection is free to the public, and, given the economic downturn, free admission is now more important than ever."

The event included remarks by Gary Vikan and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and a private tour of the museum's reinstalled 19th-century galleries by Eik Khang, curator and head of the department of 18th- and 19th-century art at the Walters.

The Walters receives a grant from Howard County through the Baltimore City Arts and Cultural Organizations Grant Program. The program, administered by the Howard County Arts Council, was established in 1992 to: foster excellence, diversity and vitality in arts and cultural offerings for Howard County residents; broaden opportunities for Howard County audiences, artists and arts organizations; increase the availability of arts activities in Howard County ; and promote regionalism and countywide awareness of arts resources and opportunities.

The Walters Art Museum is located in Baltimore 's historic Mount Vernon Cultural District at North Charles and Centre streets. Its permanent collection includes ancient art, medieval art and manuscripts, decorative objects, Asian art and Old Master and 19th-century paintings. Peabody Court is the official hotel of the Walters Art Museum . For hotel reservations, call 1-800-292-5500.