In a brief ceremony that signified the city government’s commitment to Baltimore’s vibrant arts community, Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined staff members from his office, local elected officials and the United Way of Central Maryland to announce recipients of $3.6 million Diversity in the Arts grant awards.
The grant, previously announced by the mayor’s office in September 2023, is aimed at supporting and uplifting arts and cultural institutions across the city— most of which are from diverse and marginalized backgrounds. Made possible with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Diversity in the Arts grant is part of $6.25 million focused on supporting arts and cultural institutions.
Held at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum on the afternoon of April 16, 2024, the event also attracted community members, local arts and cultural leaders, and a number of the grant recipients.
“Baltimore has always been a city defined by the arts, and our art community remains a cornerstone of our city’s identity, reflecting our history, diversity, and resilience,” Scott said at the press conference.
“This investment… underscores our dedication to ensuring that all artists and communities, particularly those minority and historically underrepresented organizations, have equitable access to resources and opportunities.”
Dr. Joanne Martin, the museum’s president, CEO and co-founder, delivered opening remarks before Scott came to the podium. She also expressed gratitude to city leaders for reaffirming their support of the cultural staples that define Baltimore’s rich and storied history as the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum was one of the grant recipients, receiving $250,000.
“It was an honor that [the ceremony] was held here at the museum, and that the mayor and his staff… continued to work with us to make this happen and they selected this spot to make the announcement,” Martin said. “We want this space to be a welcoming space for community, for artists, for art and culture.”
Martin also shared how the grant money will impact the museum, particularly in regard to the establishment’s renovation and expansion efforts. Wharton Design Group will play a pivotal role in the museum’s improvements and reconstruction, which will occur in phases.
According to Rayner Wharton, president of Wharton Design Group, the museum’s renovation will include a remodeled interior, additional exhibits that will occupy 25,000 square feet, new construction on the lot adjacent to the museum and more.
“This will be a major architectural upgrade to this community,” Wharton said, adding that the first phase of the establishment’s construction project will cost $12.5 million.
“Here, will not only be 25,000 additional square feet of new exhibit space, there will be landscaping, architectural gardens and design, space for education and sculptural gardens as well.”
Camille Kashakas, executive director of the Motor House, an arts hub situated in the Station North district, said the organization has grown tremendously in recent years. The grant funds will help Motor House meet its “financial challenges,” she said.
“This award came in the nick of time just to balance our budget, essentially,” Kashakas said.
“We mainly work with emerging artists, which are the actual trendsetters of Baltimore City’s arts and culture scene. So, the people who are making Baltimore what it is, they come through Motor House and we do our best to support them.”
Along with the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, there were 27 other awardees who were given grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.
According to the Mayor’s office, the $3.6 million investment will be deployed as follows:
Capital Investments
- Cross Street Partners/Afro Charities – $500,000
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum – $500,000
- Station North Tool Library – $60,000
- The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Inc. – $250,000
Project Investments
- AIA Baltimore/Baltimore Architecture Foundation – $14,560
- Arena Players – $77,700
- Arts Every Day – $200,000
- AZIZA PE&CE – $74,525
- Ballet After Dark – $100,000
- Baltimore Arts Realty Corp. dba Motor House – $50,000
- Baltimore Center Stage – $200,000
- Baltimore Youth Arts – $100,000
- Creative Nomads – $100,000
- Dance & Bmore / DAB Programs – $50,000
- DewMore Baltimore – $86,726
- Dream Bigger Community Institute – $43,000
- Eubie Blake Cultural Center – $150,000
- Excellence & Ambition Inc. – $90,000
- Fells Point Creative Alliance, Inc. – $200,000
- Full Circle Dance Company – $10,000
- Intersection of Change – $149,550.10
- Moving History, Inc. – $60,000
- Muse 360 – $100,000
- Nuestras Raíces Inc. – $15,000
- The Marching Elite – $36,300
- The Producers Club of Maryland, Inc. / Maryland Film Festival – $250,000
- The Compound – $100,000
- Urban Oasis – $50,000
“Baltimore City’s arts and cultural organizations help inspire and unite us, and fuel our local economy in many ways—which, in turn, helps lift up our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home,” said Franklyn Baker, President and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland.
“We are proud to be the trusted fiscal sponsor for these Community Arts Grants, which align with our work to advance equity, opportunity, and access for all.”