Berndt Group Continues Long Tradition of Pro Bono Work Despite Economic Downturn
New Web Sites in Process for AVAM, AEMS
March 20, 2009
BALTIMORE, MD—The Berndt Group, a Baltimore, MD-based full service interactive agency, announced today that is working with two important Baltimore nonprofit organizations to redesign their web sites. The Berndt Group is providing pro bono web design and development services to the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) and the Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance (AMES).
The American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) and the Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance (AEMS) are two vital nonprofit organizations in Maryland. AVAM is a one of the most unique museums in Baltimore, showcasing visionary art that defies standard definitions and conventions. From AVAM's mission statement: "Visionary art as defined for the purposes of the American Visionary Art Museum refers to art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself."
"In short, visionary art begins by listening to the inner voices of the soul, and often may not even be thought of as 'art' by its creator."
The Berndt Group is excited to take on the challenge of creating a site for AVAM that retains the unique and quirky spirit of the Museum and its offerings through high end graphic design, but provides increased usability for users and a fresh online face for the Museum.
AEMS also provides valuable services to the Maryland community, with a focus on education, and The Berndt Group is pleased to also work with this vital organization to update its web presence. AEMS strives to support the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Goal approved in 1995 that…all students will have the opportunity to participate in programs that enable them to meet Maryland content and achievement standards in the arts. We work in close conjunction with the Maryland Fine Arts Education Advisory Panel to implement the MSDE Board policy on arts education. In addition, AEMS serves as a resource for local school systems.
AEMS Alliance partners are: Maryland State Arts Council, Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Community Arts Alliance of Maryland, Maryland Art Education Association, Maryland Business Roundtable Foundation, Maryland Council for Dance, Maryland Music Educators Association, Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals, Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals, and Maryland PTA , VSA arts Maryland, Maryland State Teachers Association, Baltimore Theatre Alliance and Young Audiences of Maryland.
Like AVAM, the redesign process for AEMS will focus on an updated graphic design for the organization's web presence, as well as usability. The site will also have a key focus on content organization and dissemination, as well as alerts and calls to action.
The Berndt Group anticipates launching both sites in the Summer
of 2009.
The Berndt Group provides an unusually large amount of pro bono
Web services to Baltimore and local organizations, typically
completing 2-3 projects a year with a 50/50 ratio between cultural
organizations and socially concerned non-profits. Previous pro
bono projects include web sites for The
Creative Alliance, The
Charles Theater, School
33 Art Center, The
Contemporary Art Museum, Maryland
Art Place (MAP), Sofi's
Crepes, Maryland Scholarship Fund, and Maryland Production
Alliance.
John Berndt, CEO, commented, "Even though times have gotten rough, The Berndt Group is still committed to giving back to the community, through regular support of arts and socially progressive nonprofits. It's an essential part of what makes us feel connected to something beyond commercial concerns, and it inspires and enlivens our other work."
About The Berndt Group
The Berndt Group has been a leading Web design, development and brand communications firm since 1991. The firm provides an integrated set of creative services, including strategic consulting, brand and application development, software implementation, web site design, and internet marketing. Based in Baltimore, MD, the firm services a diverse international and regional base of over fifty active clients, including: The National Aquarium, Johns Hopkins Institutions, SafeNet, Inc., Raytheon, U.S. Immigration, The Federal Aviation Administration, The U.S. Forest Service, The Abell Foundation, and many others. For more information, visit www.berndtgroup.net.
Media Contact
Inquiries? Please contact:
Michelle Géczy
Vice President
phone: 410.889.5854 x 12
email: michelle.geczy@berndtgroup.net
