Live! In the District: Performing Arts Grant

Welcome to The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) Performing Arts Grant, funded by MSAC!

This grant aims to support vibrant and accessible arts events in Baltimore City's A&E Districts. We're looking for exciting and engaging performances that are free and open to the public. We'll be granting one event in each of the four A&E districts. Please contact Twi McCallum, Community Engagement Manager at tmccallum@promotionandarts.org or 410-752-8632 x 4301.

About Us

Live! In the District: Performing Arts Grant

To create more paid opportunities for local artists, BOPA launched a new grant for performers this year, funded by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). The LIVE! In the District Performing Arts Grant aims to support vibrant and accessible arts events in Baltimore’s Arts & Entertainment Districts by funding exciting and engaging performances that are free and open to the public.

The grant applications were adjudicated by a select panel that included a representative from each of the A&E Districts: Olu Woods (Black Arts District), Emily Breiter (Bromo District), Molly McCullagh (Highlandtown District), and Abby Becker, Station North District); in addition to community members Andria Lawson and Jasmine Car. This group determined the four groups — one in each District — who will be awarded grants in this inaugural cycle.

Did we mention all these events are free? In addition to increasing paid opportunities for artists, the LIVE! In the District Performing Arts Grant also increases affordable and accessible opportunities for audiences to engage with the arts. And by highlighting events in the city’s Arts & Entertainment Districts, we hope to help boost visibility, attendance, and sales in the Districts year-round. It’s a win-win-win.

Bromo Arts District

Deja Richardson is producing three different community events over the next few months. On May 12, June 16, and July 4 (to coincide with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the Fourth of July), community members of all ages and skill levels are invited to a glow-in-the-dark splatter paint celebration in the Bromo District. These events promise an unforgettable experience of joy and creativity as you immerse yourself in painting while grooving to music and crafting a vibrant, messy masterpiece.

Highlandtown Arts District

In the Highlandtown Arts District, Director of A GENTE, Ariel Valéria Barbosa, is collaborating with Joy Davis, Visual Arts Director for the Creative Alliance, on an event focusing on the parallels between Black arts expression from Baltimore and from Salvador, Brasil, sister cities of the African diaspora. This event will take place at the Creative Alliance in July.

Station North Arts District

Our Station North grantee, Abisola Oladeinde, is producing the “Runway Revolution Fashion Showcase,” a pivotal event following a 10-week fashion design course for emerging local designers. This showcase aims to celebrate Baltimore’s cultural diversity and community through fashion, featuring designs from course participants. This event will be held at Motor House in August.

Black Arts District

John Tyler is the grantee for the Black Arts District. His award will go toward supporting the Love Groove Festival on September 21, 2024. This all-day event features family-friendly games (including human-sized Jenga, chess, checkers, and yard pong;) music, a scavenger hunt, face painting, open yoga, resource tables and information, local vendors, a short film area, and more.

The Arts and & Entertainment Districts

To learn more about the A&E districts, please visit their websites below for additional details/resources:

Black Arts District: blackartsdistrict.org/

Bromo Arts District: bromodistrict.org/

Highlandtown Arts District: ihearthighlandtown.com/

Station North Arts District: stationnorth.org/

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Twi McCallum, Community Engagement Manager at tmccallum@promotionandarts.org or 410-752-8632 x 4301.

Explore available resources for artists in Baltimore City, including grants, art prizes, mural projects, and more.

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