Privacy Policy

Effective date: 9.4.26

This Privacy Policy explains how Artist Open Studios, Inc., a Maryland nonprofit corporation doing business as MD Artist Collective ("MDAC," "we," "us," or "our"), collects, uses, and shares information when you visit mdartistcollective.org and artistopenstudios.com (together, the "Sites") or take part in our programs, including The Collective, the Artist Open Studios Tour, and the Maryland Artist Showcase (the "Programs").

By using the Sites, you agree to the practices described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Sites.

1. Who we are

Artist Open Studios, Inc. (d/b/a MD Artist Collective) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Maryland. You can reach us at hello@mdartistcollective.org.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us. We collect information you provide directly, such as when you join The Collective, register for the Tour, become a sponsor or donor, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us. This may include your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, the name of your studio or business, information about your artistic practice, and any content you choose to submit (for example, an artist profile).

Payment information. When you register for a Program, sponsor, or donate, your payment is processed by a third-party payment processor. We do not store your full payment card number. We may retain a record of the transaction (such as the amount, date, and your name and contact details).

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our Sites may automatically collect certain technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits. We may collect this through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 5).

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data (such as health, biometric, or precise geolocation data), and we ask that you not submit it to us.

3. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

  • operate, maintain, and improve the Sites and Programs;

  • process registrations, sponsorships, and donations;

  • communicate with you about your membership, registrations, and our activities;

  • send you our newsletter and other updates (you can unsubscribe at any time);

  • respond to your questions and requests;

  • understand how the Sites are used and improve them; and

  • comply with our legal and financial obligations.

4. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only in these limited circumstances:

  • Service providers. We share information with trusted third parties who perform services on our behalf, and only as needed to provide those services. These currently include:

    • Mailchimp — email newsletter and communications

    • QuickBooks Payments — payment processing

    • Stripe — payment processing

    • Mighty Networks — our online member community

    • Google (Google Drive) — file storage and member resources

    • Squarespace — website host

    • JotForm — website forms management

Each of these providers has its own privacy policy governing its use of your information.

  • Legal reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect our rights or property, or protect the safety of others.

  • Organizational changes. If our organization merges with, is acquired by, or transfers its assets to another organization, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.

5. Cookies and analytics

Our Sites may use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences and understand how the Sites are used. We use Squarespace and Google Analytics to collect aggregate information about Site usage.

Most browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through your browser settings. Some parts of the Sites may not function properly if you disable cookies.

6. Email communications

If you subscribe to our newsletter or other mailings, we will only add you after you opt in. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time. We will still send you transactional messages related to your membership, registrations, or payments.

7. How we protect information

We use reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the information we hold. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. How long we keep information

We keep personal information for as long as needed to provide our Programs, maintain our records, and meet our legal and financial obligations, and then delete or de-identify it.

9. Your choices and rights

You may:

  • ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you;

  • unsubscribe from our marketing emails at any time; and

  • decline to provide information, though some features or Programs may then be unavailable to you.

To make a request, email us at hello@mdartistcollective.org. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws; we will honor those rights as required by law.

10. Children’s privacy

The Sites and Programs are intended for adults (18 and older). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Third-party links

Our Sites may link to third-party websites and platforms (such as Slack, MailChimp, or sponsor and partner sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites, and we encourage you to review their policies.

12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective date" above and post the updated version on the Sites. Your continued use of the Sites after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

Terms of Service

Effective date: 9.4.26

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of mdartistcollective.org and artistopenstudios.com (together, the "Sites") and participation in the programs operated by Artist Open Studios, Inc., a Maryland nonprofit corporation doing business as MD Artist Collective ("MDAC," "we," "us," or "our"), including The Collective, the Artist Open Studios Tour, and the Maryland Artist Showcase (the "Programs").

By using the Sites or participating in a Program, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Sites.

1. Who we are

Artist Open Studios, Inc. (d/b/a MD Artist Collective) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Maryland. Contact: hello@mdartistcollective.org.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, register for a Program, or make a payment through the Sites. By using the Sites, you represent that you meet this requirement.

3. Our Programs

We offer several ways for Maryland artists and supporters to take part:

  • The Collective — a year-round online community for members.

  • The Artist Open Studios Tour — an annual statewide studio tour that artists may register for.

  • The Maryland Artist Showcase — an exhibition program that is currently in development.

Program details, dates, and fees are described on the Sites and may change. We will make reasonable efforts to keep this information current, but we do not guarantee that all content is complete or error-free.

4. Accounts and community platforms

Some Programs, including The Collective, are hosted on third-party platforms such as Mighty Networks. When you use those platforms, you are also subject to their terms and policies. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials secure and for activity that occurs under your account.

5. Fees and payment

Certain Programs require payment (for example, Tour registration fees). Fees are stated on the Sites at the time of purchase. By submitting a payment, you authorize us and our payment processor to charge the applicable amount. Registrations do not renew automatically and must be renewed manually.

6. Refunds

Tour registration fees, sponsorships, and donations are non-refundable except where required by law or as otherwise stated in writing at the time of purchase.

7. Sponsorships and donations

Sponsorships and donations support our charitable mission.

8. Acceptable use

When using the Sites and Programs, you agree not to:

  • violate any law or the rights of others;

  • post or share content that is unlawful, harassing, defamatory, infringing, or otherwise objectionable;

  • misrepresent your identity or affiliation;

  • interfere with or disrupt the Sites or attempt to gain unauthorized access to them; or

  • use the Sites or Programs for commercial solicitation not authorized by us.

We may suspend or remove access for anyone who violates these Terms.

9. Your content

You may submit content to the Sites or Programs, such as an artist profile, images of your work, or other materials ("Your Content"). You keep all ownership of Your Content. By submitting it, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and share Your Content as reasonably necessary to operate and promote the Programs (for example, showing your profile on the Sites or featuring your work in Tour promotion). You represent that you own or have the rights to the content you submit and that it does not infringe anyone else's rights. You can ask us to remove Your Content by contacting us.

10. Our content

The Sites and their content — including the MD Artist Collective and Artist Open Studios names, logos, text, and design — belong to us or our licensors and are protected by applicable laws. You may not copy or use them without our permission, except as allowed by these Terms or by law.

11. Third-party services and links

The Sites rely on and link to third-party services (such as Google, MailChimp, our payment processors, and partner and sponsor sites). We are not responsible for those services or their content, and your use of them is governed by their own terms.

12. Disclaimers

The Sites and Programs are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We do not guarantee that the Sites will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that any Program, event, or outcome (including sales, visibility, or participation) will meet your expectations.

13. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, MD Artist Collective and its directors, officers, volunteers, and contractors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or relating to your use of the Sites or Programs.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless MD Artist Collective and its directors, officers, volunteers, and contractors from any claims, losses, or expenses arising out of your use of the Sites or Programs, Your Content, or your violation of these Terms.

15. Termination

We may suspend or end your access to the Sites or a Program at any time if you violate these Terms or if we discontinue a Program. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (such as content licenses, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and indemnification) will continue to apply.

16. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Any dispute relating to these Terms or the Sites will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Maryland, and you consent to their jurisdiction.

17. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective date" above and post the updated version on the Sites. Your continued use of the Sites after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms

Contact us

Questions about our Privacy Policy or Terms of Service? Email hello@mdartistcollective.org.