Artists

Baltimore has long been known for its vibrant arts community.  From visual to musical and dramatic to experimental, artists of all kinds are welcome here.  Visit our Arts & Culture section for more information about the City's art assets.

Living options abound in Baltimore, from live/work spaces, to loft apartments with great natural sunlight, to warehouses and historic homes ready for renovation.  If you are a practicing artist, you may be interested in living one of the City's two Arts and Entertainment Districts - Station North and Highlandtown.

Station North A&E District

Spanning the communities of Charles North, Greenmount West and Barclay, Station North is a diverse collection of artist live-work spaces, galleries, rowhomes and businesses - all just steps away from Penn Station and Mount Vernon. Part of the Central Baltimore Partnership, there is a 20-year vision plan to transform this entire area. For more information visit the Station North A&E District.

Highlandtown A&E District

Encompassing Highlandtown, Patterson Park and portions of Canton and Greektown, Highlandtown A&E offers artists the opportunity to live and work in one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the City. Highlandtown A&E boasts southeast's largest collection of retail and industrial spaces, along with affordable housing and a convenient location, easily accessible from I-95, I-895, Fells Point and Downtown. For more information visit the Highlandtown A&E District.

Arts & Entertainment District Incentives

Created by an act of the Maryland legislature in 2002 and reinforced by a similar initiative from Baltimore City in the same year, Arts & Entertainment Districts were intended to act as catalysts of economic development for the state’s bourgeoning creative class. There are four general kinds of assistance offered under this legislation:

Property Tax Incentive

A 10-year property tax credit for renovated buildings that provide live-work space for artists and/or space for arts and entertainment enterprises:

The property tax credit is prorated to reflect the proportion of a rehabbed building that is used by a resident artist or A&E enterprise. The credit only applies to improvements made to the property.  To calculate the credit, multiply the improved amount of assessed value of the property by the below percentages to come up with the amount of assessed value eligible for a credit.  This number can then be multiplied by the current tax rate to equal the dollar amount of the credit.

• 80% for the 1st 5 taxable years;
• 70% for the 6th taxable year;
• 60% for the 7th taxable year;
• 50% for the 8th taxable year;
• 40% for the 9th taxable year;
• 30% for the 10th taxable year.

Property owners renovating live-work spaces in an A&E district can contact the MD State Department of Assessments and Taxation to determine the building’s eligibility. Within 90 days following receipt of a tax assessment, property owners must file a tax credit application with the City’s Department of Finance. Property owners must annually re-certify that the building is being used in compliance with the property tax credit.  Full instructions and tax credit applications can be found at www.baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/Finance/TaxCredits.aspx

Income Tax Incentive

An income tax subtraction modification: Artists living and working in an arts and entertainment district can claim a tax subtraction for income derived from the sale, publication, production or performance of an artistic work that is created in the district. Form 502AE (Subtraction For Income Derived Within An Arts and Entertainment District) and instructions can be found on the website of the Comptroller of Maryland at www.comp.state.md.us, under forms and instructions for filing personal taxes.

Admissions & Amusement Tax Incentive

An exemption from the Admissions and Amusement tax levied by an arts and entertainment enterprise or qualifying residing artist in a district: Artists should contact the Baltimore City Department of Finance at 410-396-4940 for more information.

MD Economic Development Fund

Financial assistance from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund: The program was designed to be a non-lapsing revolving loan fund to provide below market long-term, fixed rate financing to specific growth industry sector businesses locating or expanding in priority funding areas. While there are five capabilities offered under this incentive program, the relevant one for Arts & Entertainment district purposes is found under Capability 5: Special Purpose Grants and Loans.  Assistance may be given to an individual, private business, not-for-profit entity, or local government, or a Corporation that intends to use the requested financial assistance for a project that has a strong potential for expanding or retaining employment opportunities in the State.

Application requests are accepted on an open end, continuous basis.  Initial contact with a representative from the Department of Business and Economic Development’s Finance Programs should take place to discuss eligibility of a project prior to the submission of an application.  Please call Finance Programs at (410) 767-6367 for more information.