Mayor Brandon Scott announced that Baltimore’s Artscape festival will return to the downtown waterfront on May 29 and 30, 2027, with Grammy‑winning singer‑songwriter Raphael Saadiq and acclaimed rapper Rapsody serving as the music headliners. The free, two‑day event will run from noon to 9 p.m. each day, with Artscape After Dark activities extending to midnight.
Economic impact and city support
Artscape generated roughly $4 million in economic output in 2026, a 41 percent increase over the previous year, according to Linzy Jackson, director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, & Entertainment. “Arts and culture is an economic driver,” Jackson said. “When you invest in a creative economy, we’re investing in our businesses, our workforce, and our city.” City leaders expect the festival to grow even larger next year.
New programming for all ages
In addition to the musical performances, the 2027 lineup adds several new activations. A comedy roast of the mayor will be part of Artscape After Dark, with Scott joking, “Just know, the mayor is also a comedian and I get the microphone last. We cannot wait.” The festival will also debut a sensory‑friendly art space called Wonderscape and a dedicated Teenscape area designed for teenagers.
Create Baltimore CEO Robyn Murphy highlighted the Teen‑focused programming, noting that it will “create even more ways for people of all ages to experience the festival.” Existing features such as Kidscape, the In Conversation series, Beyond the Reel film programming, and the SCOUT Art Fair will return.
SCOUT Art Fair showcases local talent
Held inside the historic War Memorial Building, the SCOUT Art Fair will showcase artwork from Baltimore artists available for purchase. Scott praised the fair, saying, “You will see art that is coming from our artists that I would put up against any in the world, and we love that they’ll be able to sell it and sell a lot of it.”
Arts and Culture Week
The mayor also announced an executive order establishing the week preceding Artscape as Arts and Culture Week in Baltimore City, promising a full slate of arts programming leading up to the festival.
Artists, vendors, performers, and other participants must submit applications by January 15, 2027. The expanded schedule and new attractions aim to reinforce Artscape’s role as a cornerstone of Baltimore’s cultural and economic life.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
