Mayor’s Office of Art’s, Culture, and Entertainment Monthly Newsletter

We are happy to reflect on an absolutely amazing Artist Resource Fair that took place on Sunday, April 19th. As our office’s first public-facing event, we could not have asked for a better turnout. Baltimore’s creative energy was on full display as artists, entrepreneurs, organizations, and community members came together to Connect, cultivate meaningful relationships, expand knowledge creatively.

From networking opportunities to valuable tools and resources, the event created space for collaboration, inspiration, and meaningful connections across the city’s arts community.

We had esteemed panelists Iya Jackson, Matt Moses, Sherry Curry-Taylor, Thomas James, and Emma Childs, along with our great moderator for the evening, Alana Davis.

The energy throughout the day was truly electric, and we hope everyone who attended left with tangible takeaways, fresh inspiration, and the momentum to keep their creative work moving forward.

We would like to extend our immense gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. A special shout out to Motor House, Create Baltimore, and Taharka Brothers for their time, collaboration, and continued support. Your partnership and dedication helped bring this vision to life, and we truly appreciate your role in creating such a meaningful experience.

Thank you to our sponsors M&T Bank, Beyond Health, Maryland State Arts Council, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Blick Art Materials, Station North Arts District, MDVLA, Artist & Craftsman Supply, Our Art Room Agency, and Making Her Mark Foundation for making this event a success.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, participated, and contributed to the experience.

                                       – Photo By Central Baltimore partnership

Inviting Light 

The fifth and final Inviting Light installation, Harmony Park, was officially unveiled on April 17th, transforming a vacant lot in North Baltimore into an immersive public art space designed to spark connection, creativity, and community.

Located in a residential neighborhood, Harmony Park features interactive lighting, seating stones, and a vibrant checkerboard design that invites residents of all ages to gather, play, and engage.

Obed Gant, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator, spoke on what this project means for the city and the immense joy it has brought our office to participate in and support throughout the process.

“Inviting Light has been a testament to what happens when creativity and community come together. This project shows the power of partnership, vision, and investing in spaces that bring people together. We’re proud to celebrate this final installation and the lasting impact it will have on Baltimore.”

He added that projects like these continue to show the power of art in creating safer, brighter, and more connected communities.

We encourage everyone to check it out and experience Harmony Park for themselves. For more information, please visit the link below.

410 Day

This month, we proudly celebrated 410 Day, Baltimore’s day! Our office marked the occasion with music, food, fun, and community on War Memorial Plaza, bringing people together in true Baltimore fashion to honor the spirit of our city. The celebration continued with the opportunity to attend an Orioles game to cheer on our home team.

Baltimore’s culture is bold, resilient, creative, and deeply rooted in community. From the traditions that unite us to the pride we carry every day, 410 Day is a reminder of everything that makes this city so special. Whether you were born here, raised here, or found a home here, there is always a place for you in Baltimore. We are always excited to celebrate the charm in Charm City and everything that makes Baltimore one of one.

Baltimore, we are just 22 days away from Artscape and SCOUT.

From May 23–24, Artscape returns as the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival, taking over the city with art, music, food, and culture everywhere you turn. Expect major performances, including The Roots, Stephanie Mills and a full celebration of Baltimore creativity in every form.

Right alongside the festival is SCOUT Art Fair runs May 22–24, curated by Devin Allen and Cierra Britton. SCOUT brings together emerging and contemporary artists pushing boundaries and telling Baltimore’s story through their artwork.

Baltimore’s creative scene will be on full display all weekend, and we’re excited to share the experience with you. Artscape is still looking for volunteers so click the link below to learn more and get involved. It’s not too late!

Baltimore’s Film Office continues to roll into new opportunities each month to support and strengthen the local film industry. This month, we were proud to attend the Maryland Film Festival to support the Parkway and the continued growth of film in our city.

The films showcased throughout the weekend were dynamic, thought-provoking, and diverse in nature, with several productions filmed right here in the city. . Events like these highlight the depth of talent, creativity, and storytelling that exists within our community. Cinematic arts are a thriving part of Baltimore’s cultural and economic landscape, creating opportunities for local creatives, attracting new productions, and continuing to showcase our city as a powerful destination for storytelling.

Film is a real priority for this administration and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment remains committed to making Baltimore a stronger, more competitive home for filmmakers. We hope attendees enjoyed the shorts and the festival and we look forward to continuing to grow this work together.

To learn more about filming in Baltimore and how to get started, please visit the site below.

We are proud to showcase the judges for this year’s Screenwriters Competition, whose expertise and commitment to storytelling helped shape a thoughtful and competitive selection process. Their work reflects the high standards of creativity and professionalism that continue to define Baltimore’s growing film community.

• May 2–3 — Asia North Festival
• May 2–3 — Maryland Film Festival Day
• May 2–3 — Flower Mart at Mount Vernon Place
• May 14 — Bromo Art Walk
• May 14 — Liberty Tree Planting Commemoration
• May 23–24 — Artscape 2026
• May 22-24 — SCOUT Art Fair 2026

• Arts in Education Grant