The Maryland Cultural Data Project (Maryland CDP) was created to strengthen arts and culture in Maryland by documenting and disseminating information on the sector.

This statewide data collection effort for arts and culture was first developed and launched in Pennsylvania in September 2004. It was designed to provide an easier application process for potential grantees through the development of a standardized form for financial and organizational data that will accompany grant requests to the partnering funders. Applicants will only need to complete this form once each year.

In addition to creating a streamlined application process for the hundreds of arts and culture organizations throughout Maryland, groups will benefit from this project through an enhanced ability to track their individual data and trends over time and compare how they operate relative to their peers and to the sector at large. It is hoped that access to reliable data about the cultural sector will enhance both individual organizational capacity as well as the overall effectiveness of the nonprofit cultural community.

The Maryland CDP is a collaborative effort of the Project Task Force and the following funders:
Alex. Brown & Sons Charitable Foundation
Baltimore Community Foundation
Cooper Family Fund at BCF
Harry L. Gladding Foundation
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland State Arts Council
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
T. Rowe Price Associates Fund at BCF
The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund

The Project Task Force includes:
Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County
Baltimore Clayworks
Baltimore Community Foundation
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance
Maryland Historical Trust
Maryland State Arts Council