WHAT: MICA Grassroots DesignFest, sponsored by T. Rowe Price and supported by volunteer associates, is a daylong event that draws upon successes from design-a-thons around the country and pairs teams of volunteer designers with grassroots nonprofits to prototype logo designs, website updates, branding strategies and more.
WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: 81 Mosher St., Baltimore, Maryland 21217
DETAILS: Parking will be available at 1531 Malster Ave., next to next to 81 Mosher St. The day will begin with registration from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. followed by opening remarks from John Brothers, president of the T. Rowe Price Foundation. From 8:45 a.m. through 12:15 p.m., designers and nonprofits will meet and then designers will work while nonprofits workshop. MICA President Sammy Hoi will speak at 12:15 p.m. followed by a lunch. After that, designers will continue to work through the afternoon, and the nonprofits will continue to workshop. The closing reception will begin at 4 p.m.
BALTIMORE — For the second year in a row, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and T. Rowe Price, the Baltimore-based global investment manager, will again host Grassroots DesignFest, an event where undergraduate and graduate students from MICA, Stevenson University, McDaniel College, Bowie State University, University of Maryland Baltimore County and Johns Hopkins, as well as local professionals, will team up with T. Rowe Price’s design and technology professionals to work with local nonprofit partners on branding concepts, logo designs, graphic identities and other design projects.
The nonprofit participants work on issue areas including arts and culture, education, human services and the environment. The daylong event presents an opportunity to contribute to the social change movement in Baltimore while collaborating face-to-face with other designers and nonprofits.
"Nonprofit organizations do some of the most important work in the Baltimore area and throughout the state," said Kevin Griffin Moreno, director of strategic projects. "Design solutions can help nonprofits recruit volunteers, raise funds, communicate information about their programs, advocate for their clients and spread the word about the valuable programs and services they offer. Too often, time and budget constraints make it difficult for these great organizations to work with trained designers."
DesignFest was the brainchild of the T. Rowe Price Foundation’s president, John Brothers.
"This event provides a win-win opportunity for the nonprofit community to access creative talent, for students to learn from real-world situations, and for T. Rowe Price’s associates to use their talents to have a positive impact in the community," he said. "We are confident the event will continue to gain momentum in its second year. It’s a great forum to support our local nonprofits and the development of creative talent in Baltimore."
Participating nonprofits include CLLCTIVLY; Mentoring Mentors, SWCOS (Social Work Community Outreach Services); Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap; Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance; Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District; AfroHouse; Open Works; Youth Empowered Society; Baltimore Corps; Access Art; Garwyn Oaks Northwest Housing Center; Homeless Persons Representation Project; Farm Alliance of Baltimore; Greater Baybrook Alliance, Inc.; Touching Young Lives, Incorporated; The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance; Single Carrot Theatre; SAFE (Supplying Allergy Friendly and Emergency Food Pantry; Maryland Dental Action Coalition; and Women's Housing Coalition.
For more information, visit https://designfest.weebly.com/.