On a rainy June weekend in the summer of 1982—as residents awaited the highly anticipated opening of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall—an arts fair was held in Midtown-Belvedere just down the street from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), to promote Baltimore’s creative community and economy. Ray Charles, Ethel Ennis, and musicians from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra were headliners.
Now, 43 years later, that gathering has transformed into Artscape—the largest free outdoor arts festival in the United States. Pre-pandemic attendance reached more than 350,000, but the festival has struggled to find stable footing ever since, partially due to COVID cancellations, weather conditions, and shakeups with longtime organizers at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA).
Since 2008, Artscape’s home has been in the Station North Arts District, the city’s first officially designated Arts & Entertainment district, overseen by the Central Baltimore Partnership.
That is, until earlier this month, when Mayor Brandon Scott, in partnership with BOPA, announced that Artscape will be moving downtown this year, taking over venues including the War Memorial Building, the plaza outside of City Hall, and the Baltimore Farmers Market space beneath the Jones Falls Expressway. Not only will the footprint change, the event’s date—historically a blazing hot three days in late summer—is now Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-25.
The decision was a part of Mayor Scott’s Downtown Rise Initiative, to focus on business, infrastructure, and public-safety development in the downtown area. The city hopes that the move will bolster the growth of the local arts scene holistically.
“Artscape 2025 is not just about a weekend of celebration—it’s about sustainability, creating lasting opportunities, and ensuring that artists remain at the center of economic growth and cultural transformation,” said Tonya Miller Hall, the mayor’s senior advisor of arts and culture, in a press release. “When we put artists first, we set off a ripple effect that strengthens communities, drives innovation, and fuels Baltimore’s bold creative legacy.”
But many feel that legacy was in great hands in Station North, where Artscape has been a tradition embedded in the neighborhood’s small businesses, arts institutions, and restaurants for nearly two decades.
“It’s everyone’s favorite [weekend] to look forward to, especially this part of town,” says Randy Coffren, the owner of The Royal Blue on Maryland Avenue, which has been an Artscape homebase for specials and after-parties since it opened in 2022. “Being friends with the other bar and business owners that are close, everyone kind of gears up for it. Everyone’s in the same boat.”
Another requisite stop for festivalgoers is the hallowed Mt. Royal Tavern, where manager Ben Franklin has poured drinks—and likely cracked open thousands of cans of Natty Boh—during Artscape for years.
“It’s fucking stupid,” says Franklin of the impending move. “That was a great weekend for us, it gave us a lot of business, it helps us out a lot. And now all of a sudden, that’s gone. Part of the fun of going to the Artscape was getting to stop by the tavern.”
Adds Coffren on the increased foot traffic: “That’s our busiest weekend, between Pride and Artscape those are the two big weekends we look forward to,” he says. “Of course, [we’re] not happy about it.”
The location of the very first Artscape in 1982—an innovative idea by then-MICA president Fred Lazarus—and its subsequent expansion into Station North and Mt. Vernon throughout the decades that followed were strategic decisions made in collaboration with the city government and local businesses.
Aside from the economic hit, Central Baltimore Partnership’s executive director Ellen Janes points out the cultural loss that comes with the forthcoming changes.
“While we understand the desire to bring Artscape to a new and central location, we also acknowledge the profound connection our community has had with the festival over the years,” Janes said in a statement provided to Baltimore. “Station North has long been a hub for the arts, creativity, and innovation in Baltimore, and Artscape has played a crucial role in highlighting our vibrant culture and bringing visitors to our neighborhood.”
Still, the district will carry on its commitment to its artistic history, said Janes, mentioning support for Derrick Adams’ new public art project Inviting Light, as well as the annual Asia North Festival. And despite recent losses, like the closure of The Crown, new spaces are thriving, such as the recently relocated Mobtown Ballroom & Cafe on the corner of Maryland Avenue and the recently opened Club Car down the street on North Avenue.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact that Artscape has had on Station North, and we remain committed to fostering a thriving arts and culture scene here,” said Janes. “The decision to relocate Artscape does not diminish our dedication to our artists, creatives, and the community at large. Our district will continue to be a space where local talent is celebrated, and we continue to work diligently to create new opportunities for events and festivals that contribute to the arts and cultural vitality of Baltimore.”
Alas, veteran hip-hop artist Eze Jackson—who has long hosted his famous Artscape After-Party at Metro Baltimore on North Charles Street—notes that Baltimore festivals aren’t immune to change.
Baltimore’s AFRAM festival was originally held at Druid Hill Park, then moved to Camden Yards for a stint before eventually finding its way back to Druid Hill Park. The Baltimore Caribbean Carnival used to be held at Clifton Park and now takes place at Druid Hill Park, as well. Baltimore Pride has also slowly migrated from Mount Vernon up to Station North and Old Goucher.
“I heard whispers that Artscape might be moved,” says Jackson. “I think it means that the city is trying stuff.”
While Jackson’s not sure what’s next for his iconic after-party and the small businesses in Station North amidst Artscape’s changes, he’s looking on the bright side.
“I’m used to seeing things move around,” he says. “You have to embrace change.”