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 - Photo By [James McQueen]
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The Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment (MOACE) connects artists, residents, and city agencies to support, celebrate, and grow Baltimore’s creative community. By bridging City government and the artist community, We strive to strengthen creativity in all its forms, from public art, cultural fairs, and citywide festivals to film permitting, nightlife, and operational support. Our mission is to make arts, culture and entertainment accessible to every corner of Baltimore and bring the joy of creative expression to all Baltimoreans. |
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“At The Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, we believe in the power of art to connect communities and tell the stories of Baltimore. This work is about creating access, building relationships, and uplifting the voices that shape our city every day. We are deeply committed to supporting not only individual artists, but also the institutions and cultural leaders who help sustain Baltimore’s creative ecosystem.
Our Film and Production Office is instrumental in strengthening Baltimore’s creative economy by supporting productions and expanding opportunities for local talent.
When artists, organizations, and community stakeholders work together, we strengthen the cultural and economic growth of our city. Through this collective effort, we are building a more connected and resilient cultural landscape for Baltimore.”
- Bria Sterling-Wilson, Deputy Director
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Thea Washington, CEO of Thea Washington Casting
Thea Washington, CSA, is a seasoned Casting Director, Producer, and Consultant with nearly a decade of experience in commercials, TV, film, and reality casting. She has casted for major brands and networks, including Amazon, Marvel, Netflix, HBO Max, ABC, and BBC, on projects like "We Own This City" "Rustin" "Ready to Love", *The Great Christmas Light Fight*(Disney/ABC), Kamala Harris Campaign / The Black PAC , local and background casting for Captain America : Brave New World, MGM Grand Casino National Harbor and other campaigns.
As a proud member of the Casting Society of America, Thea champions diversity and representation in entertainment. She consulted for the Black on the Arts & Culture Advisory Council to the Baltimore City Mayor and founded *Shining Stars*, a program empowering Baltimore youth with opportunities in film. Balancing her thriving career and family life, Thea continues to inspire the next generation of storytellers.
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Members of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment (MOACE) team attended Maryland Arts Day, the largest annual gathering of arts professionals in the state. Hosted in Maryland, the event brings together more than 500 artists, educators, administrators, volunteers, and trustees representing every county and Baltimore to advocate for the arts and connect directly with lawmakers from across the state.
During this year’s advocacy day, our team members met with legislators to voice their support for Senate Bill 289 and House Bill 352, as well as to advocate for full funding of the Maryland State Arts Council and other key arts initiatives. Their participation reinforced Baltimore’s commitment to strengthening Maryland’s creative economy and ensuring sustained investment in arts and culture statewide. |
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 Applications for the Scout Art Fair are now open!
The Scout Art Fair, an inaugural event at Artscape 2026, will take place from May 23–24, 2026. It aims to showcase over 50 established and emerging artists from Baltimore and the DMV region. The fair provides opportunities for artists to connect with the community and share their work. The application deadline is March 27, 2026, and artists are encouraged to apply to support the creative community.
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 - Photo By [Tishawna McGowan]
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A Walk in Legacy
The Mayor's Office Of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment proudly celebrated Baltimore’s 2nd Annual Walk in Legacy, honored Black History Month with a vibrant parade and community celebration. The day highlighted local history, culture, and activism. This day brought together residents, leaders, and artists to reflect on the past and inspire future generations. We thank everyone who came out to celebrate and honor the legacy of Black history in Baltimore.
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 - Photo By [James McQueen]
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AFRAM 50
Mayor Brandon Scott announced this year’s AFRAM Festival lineup: Paula Campbell, Ultra Naté, Brandon Woody, J. Brown, Lil' Mo, PJ Morton, Tamia, Chloe Bailey, The Lox, Mario, and Charlie Wilson. AFRAM continues to celebrate Baltimore’s rich Black culture, creativity, and community.
Be on the lookout for AFRAM vendor applications, opening April 1, and get geared up to celebrate 50 years of AFRAM as the culture turns golden!
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 - Photo By [Ivan K. McCarthey]
Survivor 50 Challenge
Baltimore hosted the CBS Survivor 50 Challenge at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. As part of the Survivor 50 Challenge, 50 immunity idols were hidden across 50 states—one in each U.S. state. The Film Office worked with the Survivor team to secure permits and ensure all safety measures and logistical details were carefully planned for the event.
Hundreds of fans from across the region joined the hunt for the hidden immunity idol, highlighting Baltimore as a premier filming and event destination.
Mayor Brandon Scott participated in the challenge by climbing the interior stairs of the building and reaching the hidden idol at the top of the clock tower.
“It’s great to see this kind of energy and excitement at one of our city’s most iconic landmarks,” Mayor Scott said in a statement. “I’m grateful to MOACE and Create Baltimore for their work to make this collaboration possible and for their commitment to uplifting our arts community each and every day.”
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Maryland Film Industry Coalition
Last month, we were happy to stand in support of HB-898, the DECade Act, legislation that strengthens efforts to increase the Maryland Film Production Activity Tax Credit Program. This bill plays a critical role in incentivizing large production companies to film right here in Maryland — and more specifically, in bringing filming back into Baltimore City.
We had the opportunity to speak directly with Baltimore City Delegates in Annapolis, MD to help champion the cause and advocate for passage of the House Bill. Supporting this legislation means supporting jobs, local businesses, workforce development, and long-term economic growth across our state.
The Maryland Film Production Activity Tax Credit was established to attract film and television productions to Maryland, create jobs for Marylanders, stimulate business activity, and generate strong economic impacts statewide.
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Events In The Month Of March
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We remain committed to supporting artists, creatives, and cultural organizations through funding, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships.
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