Get to know the Black Arts District

FAQ

When was the Black Arts District Created?

July 1, 2019

What is the district’s official name?

Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District

Who created the Black Arts District?

The Black Arts District was designated by a coalition of community organization. The organizations included: Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street, Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, the Arch Social Club, Arch Social Club Community Network, Upton Planning Committee, The Office of Councilman Leon Pinkett, Fight Blight Bmore, and the Avenue Bakery. The work of the coalition was also supported by partners such as the Neighborhood Design Center, University of Baltimore and the Department of Transportation.

Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle originally served as the institutional anchor for the Black Arts District. Lady Brion, Cultural Curator of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle spearheaded the effort and then transitioned to be the executive director of the District in July 2019. The district was then housed under the auspices Upton Planning Committee, Inc. for a short time.

What is an Arts and Entertainment District ?

An Arts and Entertainment district is defined by Americans for the Arts as a “well-recognized, labeled, mixed-use area of the city in which a high concentration of arts and cultural facilities serve as the anchor attraction.” Nationally they can be found in cities and towns of all sizes – each one uniquely reflecting a local mission, history, and cultural development. Some districts succeed with thoughtful landscaping and signage, while others are involved in arts programming or event production and others work toward the renovation of existing buildings and attracting complimentary businesses. Many are found in downtown areas, but they can thrive in suburban, rural, and neighborhood locations as well. Maryland has 28 A&E districts, four of which are in Baltimore –– Station North, Highlandtown, Bromo and the Black Arts District.

How do you create an Arts and Entertainment District in Maryland?

In 2001, Maryland created the Arts and Entertainment District Program to oversee the process of creating A&E districts in Maryland. Maryland counties and municipalities may apply for A&E District designation for specific areas where they want to encourage creative placemaking activity and unlock the A&E Districts program's tax-related benefits. There is a rolling application deadline that closes in April of each year. Applicants are required to first submit an Intent to Apply form. Following the Intent To Apply, Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) staff schedules a site visit and consultation, and the prospective district must hold a community forum and submit an extensive application with the chief elected official's endorsement before April 1st.

Panel review of the applications and a staff recommendation precede a final designation determination by the Maryland Secretary of Commerce. A decision is announced 60 days after the application is submitted. The A&E district legislation warranting designation goes into effect July 1st of each year and the tax-related benefits go into effect the following January. Although applications must be formally submitted by a county or municipality, a lead organization must be identified as the manager of an arts district and as the contact for the application.

Where will the proposed district be?

The district covers 149 acres of historic west Baltimore cutting through both the 7th and 11th councilmanic district. The northernmost border is Fulton Ave + Pennsylvania Ave; the southernmost border is Dolphin St. + Pennsylvania Ave; the eastern borders include Woodbrook Ave, Druid Hill Ave, Division St and Etting St.; the western borders include Bruce St., Calhoun St., Carey St., Fremont Ave. and Argyle Ave. The district cuts through the Penn North, Druid Heights, Upton and Sandtown-Winchester communities. Please find a copy of the district map here. The exact street boundaries are:

• South side of N. Fulton Ave. from N. Fulton Ave. to Woodbrook Ave.

• North side of Woodbrook Ave. from N. Fulton Ave. to Westwood Ave.

• East side of Westwood Ave. from Woodbrook Ave. to Francis St.

• South side of Francis St. from Westwood Ave. to Cumberland St.

• East side of Cumberland St. from Francis St. to Clendenin St.

• West side of Clendenin St. from Cumberland St. to Baker St.

• East side of Baker St. from Druid Heights Ave. to Etting St.

• South side of Etting St. from Senker Pl. to North Ave.

• East side of North Ave. from Etting St. to Woodbrook Ave.

• South side of Woodbrook Ave. from Senker Pl. to Laurens St.

• East side of Laurens St. from Division Street to Druid Hill Ave.

• South side of Druid Hill Ave. from Laurens St. to Islamic Way

• East side of Islamic Way from Druid Hill Ave. McCulloh St.

• South side of McCulloh St. from Islamic Way to McMechen St.

• East side of McMechen from McCulloh St. to Druid Hill Ave.

• South Side of Druid Hill Ave. from McCulloh St. to Mosher St.

• East side of Mosher St. from Druid Hill Ave. to Etting St.

• South side of Etting St. from Mosher St. to Dolphin St.

• East side of Dolphin St. from Etting St. to Argyle Ave.

• Southside of Argyle Ave from Dolphin St. to Pitcher St.

• East side of Pitcher St. from Dolphin St. to Fremont Ave.

• South side of N. Fremont Ave. from Pitcher St. to Presstman St.

• East side of Presstman St. from N. Fremont Ave. to N. Carey St.

• South side of N. Carey St. from Presstman St. to Baker St.

• East side of Baker St. from N. Carey St. to N. Calhoun St.

• South side of N. Calhoun St. from Baker St. to Presbury St.

• West side of Presbury St. from N. Calhoun St. to N. Carey St.

• South side of N. Carey St. from Cumberland St. to W. North Ave.

• West side of W. North Ave. from N. Carey St. to N.Stockton St.

• North side of N. Stockton from W. North Avenue to Retreat St.

• West side of Retreat St. from N. Stockton to Bruce St.

• North side of Bruce St. From Retreat St. to Clifton Ave.

• West side of Clifton Ave. from Bruce St. to N. Fulton Ave

Current Anchor Institutions:

Arch Social Club

Jubilee Arts/Harris Marcus Center

Shake and Bake Family Fun Center

Avenue Bakery

Upton Boxing Center

Enoch Pratt Free Library

Avenue Market

Capital Lounge

Why Pennsylvania Avenue?

The Black Arts District is Maryland’s only A&E district uniquely dedicated to the cultural production of African American’s. Pennsylvania Avenue was once a revered destination for Black art and entertainment, hence it is the perfect location for this effort. Moreover, redlining, blockbusting and racial covenants have led to decades of impoverished Black communities across Baltimore city, which are still experiencing systemic disinvestment. Based on state-wide reports, in fiscal year 2018, events and new businesses in 25 Maryland A&E Districts collectively supported more than $1 billion in state GDP, approximately $72.1 million in state and local tax revenues, and 9,987 jobs that paid more than $320 million in wages. Thus, the creation of a new A&E district can spur economic development and small business growth and expansion along the Pennsylvania ave corridor. This growth will have tangential affects on the overall health of the surrounding communities. Overtime we hope to see a shift in the future trajectory of West Baltimore for the better.

What incentives come with an Arts District in Maryland

$15k annual state grant

Tax incentives:

  • Property tax credits - for new construction or renovation of certain buildings that create live-workspace for artists and/or space for arts and entertainment enterprise

  • Income tax subtraction - a modification for income derived from artistic work executed and sold within the districts by “qualifying residing artists”

  • Admissions and Amusement tax exemption - an exemption levied by an “arts and entertainment enterprise” or “qualifying residing artist” in a district.

Will the community be negatively impacted?

We recognize that art-centered development in Black communities has proceeded the onslaught of gentrification, in recent history. In response, we ensured that the Black Arts District is supported by the community, led by community organizations and is a reflection of the current community residents. It is not an outgrowth of the white imagination and desires for communities they do not inhabit. It is intentionally named a “Black Arts District” because that is who we intend to celebrate and honor. It is also a call to action to preserve the culture and legacy of the area as we strive for a healthier and more vibrant community.

This initiative seeks to help increase Black ownership and autonomy at all levels – residential, commercial, and institutional. Hence, we seek to empower Black residents not push them out of their homes

We are leaning on our partners at local community development corporations and government agencies assist us in creating a plan and implement policies that prioritize community input.

How do I get involved?

Send an email to INFO@BLACKARTSDISTRICT.ORG