DDOA Invites Public Comment on Its FY2022–FY2025 Strategic Plan Wilmington, Del. (March 5, 2021) – The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) invites public comment through March 14, 2021 on the final draft of its new four-year strategic plan. Public feedback is critical in finalizing the plan on behalf of constituents across the state. The […]

On view through March 26, 2021 Visit the Gallery in-person or view it online Wilmington, Del. (March 8, 2021) – Grids and Arches, an exhibition of paintings by Constance M. Simon, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from March 5-26, 2021. Simon is the recipient of a 2020 Artist Fellowship in Painting from […]

Programs help to tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States.

Site likely to hold the remains of enslaved African Americans.

On view through April 5-29, 2021 Visit the Gallery in-person or view it online Wilmington, Del. (April 1, 2021) – Visceral Memory Cache, an exhibition of abstract paintings by Eileen Olson, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from April 5-29, 2021. The paintings are a result of a six-month creative journey around the […]

Contest open between April 19 and 24, 2021.

The archaeology series “History Unearthed,” “Trivia Night” and “The Wreck of the DeBraak” will be explored.

Governor to visit Delaware Small Businesses and Tourism locations WILMINGTON, Del. – In recognition of Small Business Week and National Travel and Tourism Week (May 2-8), Governor John Carney will join the Delaware Tourism Office to visit small businesses and attractions in Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties this week. Note to media: An advisory is included […]

DOVER, Del.— Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Wednesday announced the retirement of Paul Weagraff, Director of the Division of Arts, following 24 of years of service to the Department of State. Weagraff will serve through the end of July.  “Paul and I have served together through the bookends of two great challenges to our arts community: […]

This year the Division will invest nearly $3 million in more than 100 arts and community organizations Wilmington, Del. (July 8, 2021) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is investing nearly $3 million in more than 100 arts and community organizations that will serve Delawareans statewide with arts programming and services, arts education, and […]

Dover, Del. (July 15, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Small Business and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced today the launch of a Market Pressure Relief Fund designed to assist state contractors facing increased costs for construction materials due to the pandemic. The fund will provide adjustment reimbursements for non-transportation construction materials purchased […]

Programs to explore the wreck of the DeBraak and War of 1812 hero Commodore Thomas Macdonough.

SMYRNA, Del. (August 11, 2021) – A company working to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a maker of wearable cooling protective gear, a specialty running store, and a meadery were among the 15 Delaware small businesses recognized Wednesday as awardees of the third round of Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grants from the state […]

Programs explore the experiences of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived, labored and died on the John Dickinson Plantation.

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has appointed Matthew Hartigan as Executive Director of the Public Service Commission. Mr. Hartigan has served in roles as the Ombudsman for the Commission and more recently as the Deputy Director since April 26th, 2015. Matt joined the staff over nine years ago. “Matt’s experience and work for more than […]

On view from September 3-24, 2021 Wilmington, Del. (August 30, 2021) – The Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present photographer Jason Jellick’s debut exhibition, Peninsula, from September 3-24, 2021. Jellick was named a 2021 Artist Fellow in Photography by the Delaware Division of the Arts. Jellick began the artistic journey of this exhibit about a […]

DOVER, DE (September 1, 2021) – Young Delaware companies in need of funding to help expand their business can now apply to compete for an Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Division of Small Business. The division will be accepting EDGE Grant applications until September 30 from promising early-stage businesses throughout Delaware. […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in New Castle County affected by flooding from Hurricane Ida earlier this month are now eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Eligible businesses and nonprofits may qualify for loans up to $2 million. The SBA Economic Injury […]

October is National Italian American Heritage Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the distinguished cultural contributions of Americans with Italian lineage. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2019, more than 16 million Americans of Italian descent reside in the United States, making up the seventh largest ethnic group in the country. “Italian […]

Event commemorates the 339th anniversary of Penn’s disembarkment at New Castle, his first landing in the New World.

Dover, Del—Natural gas prices have spiked in the past six months and are up more than 30 percent since the end of August 2021. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe. According to the Energy Information Administration, about 43 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas […]

The Delaware Public Archives is pleased to announce the digital release of “The Abram H. Draper Collection.” This unique collection consists of 34 pieces of correspondence including letters and poetry from Sergeant Abram H. Draper to his wife Anna M. Wiley Draper during the American Civil War. The content ranges from detailed descriptions of Draper’s […]

More than fifty-five friends, dignitaries and guests gathered in Lewes, Delaware on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 to celebrate the unveiling of the Delaware Public Archives’ newest marker that commemorates the Block House Pond. Block House Pond, a natural spring-fed pond was named for a nearby blockhouse that was built to protect Lewes in the 1670s. […]

The Division will provide up to $400,000 in matching funds to its FY2022 arts organization grantees in conjunction with the event Wilmington, Del. (November 3, 2021) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to support the arts sector through Delaware’s largest day of giving, Do More 24 Delaware, on March 3-4, 2022. For […]

Dover, Del.—Secretary of State Jeff Bullock has asked Jessica Ball to serve as the next Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. Ms. Ball most recently served as the Executive Director of the Delaware Arts Alliance and will assume the new role effective November 29th, 2021. “The Division of the Arts plays an integral […]

Division of Small Business Launches Request for Proposals (RFP) for Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Industries WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Monday announced that the State of Delaware will be investing over $7 million as part of the recovery effort in travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries.  […]

The Delaware Public Archives was proud to join with Nanticoke Indian Tribe Chief Natosha Norwood Carmine, members of the Delaware General Assembly, and more than 125 guests and friends as they unveiled a new Delaware historical marker on Monday, November 15, 2021. The new Indian Mission School historical marker details the school that was founded […]

The Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Arts Program® present the 11th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition Dover, Del. (December 13, 2021) – The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give Delaware state employees and their families, at any skill level, a unique opportunity to exhibit their artwork and to […]

MIDDLETOWN, Del. (December 16, 2021) – The Delaware Division of Small Business recognized 15 small businesses Thursday as winners of the fourth round of Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grants. Awardees in the latest round of the competition include a company working to alleviate phantom limb pain for amputees, a maker of easy-to-use diagnostic […]

Thirty-six arts organizations and 13 artists have received ARP funds Wilmington, Del. (January 5, 2022) – In Fiscal Year 2021, the Division of the Arts received $753,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. With this special award, the Division developed two short-term grant opportunities to help secure […]

The Delaware Division of Small Business is now accepting applications for the Site Readiness Fund from qualified businesses or local governments. Established through Senate Bill 127, the fund promotes economic growth and stability by investing in the development or improvement of commercial and industrial sites to attract job-creating businesses. The Site Readiness Fund provides grants, […]

For arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2023 (September 2022 – August 2023) Wilmington, Del. (January 11, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its annual online application process for grants for arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2023 (September 2022 – August 2023). Applications will […]

Export Delaware, the State’s official export resource for Delaware’s small and medium-sized businesses, is now accepting State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant applications from qualified businesses. STEP Grants offer eligible Delaware businesses assistance to help launch or expand export activity. Grant funds can be used to reimburse Delaware businesses for up to 50 percent of […]

Twenty-five Delaware artists to receive recognition Wilmington, Del. (January 13, 2022) – Twenty-five Delaware artists are being recognized by the Division for the high quality of their artwork. Work samples from 132 Delaware choreographers; composers; musicians; writers; and folk, media and visual artists were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, considering demonstrated creativity and skill in […]

Five of the month's six events celebrate the invaluable contributions that the Black community has made to the culture and history of the United States.

Wilmington, DE – Thursday, January 20, 2022 — YWCA Delaware, in partnership with Delaware Libraries, has launched the Social Equity Championship, an e-interactive statewide social justice contest designed to promote awareness of economic, political and social inequities and provide opportunities for learning and civic engagement. Read YMCA’s Full Press Release to learn more: Press Release […]

Wilmington, Del. (January 26, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of the Arts Incubator Project, an assessment, training, and planning initiative built on the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) for the state’s arts industry with a $1.25 million investment in the initiative. “A diverse […]

On view from February 4-25, 2022 Wilmington, Del. (January 31, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present artist Shari Dierkes’ exhibition, On Display II, from February 4 through February 25, 2022. Dierkes was named a 2021 Emerging Artist Fellow in the category of Crafts by the Delaware Division […]

The Division will provide up to $400,000 in matching funds to its FY2022 arts organization grantees in conjunction with the event Wilmington, Del. (February 1, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to support the arts sector through Delaware’s largest day of giving, Do More 24 Delaware, on March 3-4, 2022. For […]

The National Endowment for the Arts grants funding to 567 arts organizations to save jobs and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts Wilmington, Del. (February 2, 2022) – At the end of January, four Delaware arts organizations – Art Works for All, Inc., The Delaware Contemporary, Delaware […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long on Wednesday announced their support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. The Governor’s challenge is a national initiative that promotes a coordinated […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business announced Thursday more than $7.7 million in funding awards to seven organizations as part of the recovery effort for the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries.  The funds are part of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $750 million American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism […]

In observance of Black History Month, The Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present our Book of the Week: African American Education in Delaware: A History Through Photographs 1865-1930 – by Dr. Bradley Skelcher.   You can view a PDF version of this book here.   SYNOPSIS: At the beginning of the twentieth century, it […]

Today, the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) released The Final Report assessing the conduct and results of Delmarva Power’s electric Standard Offer Service (SOS) reverse auction process for the 2021-2022 procurement year; the PSC was assisted by its technical consultant, Siemens PTI. Delmarva Power successfully secured all of the outstanding needs for full-requirement service for […]

More than 200 state employees and their family members have registered to show artwork at Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery Dover, Del. (February 16, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is hosting the 11th annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 21 to […]

Funds for Nine Libraries Across the State WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced Thursday $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be distributed to libraries throughout all three counties. The investments are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Relief Fund, which was championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators […]

On Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m., Governor Carney will host a virtual forum on Racial History and Education in Delaware with Dr. Reba Hollingsworth (Delaware Heritage Commission) and Dr. Bradley Skelcher (Professor Emeritus of History at Delaware State University).   This event is coordinated in partnership with the Delaware Heritage Commission, the Delaware Division […]

Continuing our celebration of Black History Month, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present our Book of the Week: “A History of African Americans of Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore” – by Carole C. Marks, Editor   You can view a PDF version of this book here.   SYNOPSIS: The history of African Americans […]

Activities honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

This week’s Book of the Week is a special partnership with Delaware Historical Society and continues our celebration of Black History Month! “Forging Faith, Building Freedom African American Faith Experiences in Delaware, 1800-1980” – by Constance J. Cooper & Lewis V. Baldwin   You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here. […]