“Labor Day is a U.S. national holiday held the first Monday every September. Unlike most U.S. holidays, it is a strange celebration without rituals, except for shopping and barbecuing. For most people it simply marks the last weekend of summer and the start of the school year. The holiday’s founders in the late 1800s envisioned something very different from what the day has become.

As we bear witness to the extreme weather that has been exacerbated by global climate change, our thoughts turn to our friends in the town of Lahaina in Maui. Not only has there been a stunning loss of lives and property, Hawaiians are now fighting a possible erasure of their culture. Opportunists see the possibility of a town devoted entirely to tourism. That’s not to say tourism hasn’t contributed greatly to its economy, but that Lahaina holds an important place in Hawaiian history and is home to many residents from all income levels.

It’s always a pleasure when I can share some good news. In this case, it’s Artscape, baby! In a press release yesterday, Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA)announced the details that everyone has been eagerly awaiting. Artscape is returning Friday, September 22, to Sunday, September 24, 2023 for the first time since 2019, and it's going to be packed with activities and people. BOPA reports they received an overwhelming response with over 1,000 applications from artists, vendors, and organizations eager to be a part of this returning event.

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to introduce the 2024 class of Urban Arts Leadership! In a further celebration of the program’s tenth anniversary, the following emerging leaders have been accepted and have already begun their work as a cohort.

Rhythm Ajanku

Rhythm Ajanku is focused on marketing strategies, branding, and content creation. He believes his participation in the fellowship presents an exceptional opportunity to engage in valuable networking and collaborative endeavors with like-minded individuals.

Applications for the Analog Photography Residency at Full Circle Fine Art are now open.

The Analog Photography Residency at Full Circle Fine Art allows one selected artist access to both of Full Circle’s on-site color and black and white darkrooms. The residency ranges from one to three months based on project proposals.

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, with residencies typically beginning in the fall or spring.

Proposals should include:

As we say goodbye to June, we will remember it as a time to engender respect and honor the unity of the human spirit. Juneteenth was a time to learn, celebrate, and to contemplate the true meaning of freedom and independence for formerly enslaved African Americans in the United States. And, at time of backlash against LGBTQIA family, Pride month highlighted the need to safeguard and celebrate the communities' many contributions. Let’s continue our thoughtful relationships with one another for more than a day, a week, or a month and affirm our commitment to equity.

Happy Pride Month!

Yesterday, we in the United States paused to honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. In our country, we have also fostered and supported arts initiatives that benefit living members of the military suffering from the effects of their service.

A basic tenet of GBCA is that we are stronger together than apart. Together we can share resources and intelligence, build coalitions and advocate for equity in the cultural sector and beyond. As such, GBCA recently shared its new alliance with the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce. Today, I am honored to announce that the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) and Open Works are partnering to further opportunities for artists and creatives in Baltimore.