BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, October 16, 2024) - Today, the Baltimore Mayor's Office sent a letter to the leadership of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) officially informing them of the City's intent to exercise the 90-day termination clause in the City's contract with the arts organization. The action comes after numerous meetings and discussions with BOPA leadership and the latest Board vote which sought to establish an ad-hoc transition team. The transition committee will be charged with helping to transition core services from BOPA to the city and beginning the effort to reimagine the role of BOPA, its core mission, and the arts and culture ecosystem in the city.

BOPA will execute the two remaining events outlined in the current contract, and upon successful completion of those events, receive full payment for services rendered.

The full letter can be read here.

On the decision, Mayor Brandon M. Scott said:

"Ending the city's contractual relationship with BOPA is not a decision taken lightly. We are taking this step after deep and careful consideration following several years of turmoil within the organization. Ending this contract will be an intricate process that will require cooperation between both BOPA leadership and staff and the City, which will be done through the transition team established at today's board meeting.

"Most importantly, it is critical for Baltimore's arts community to know that this step is being taken to aid support for their critical work in our city. We will work diligently to ensure that the events, property management, and, most importantly, direct support for artists and their work is not significantly interrupted. Supporting our artists is critically important, and Baltimore will always do what is right to ensure our artists get the support they need.

"I would like to thank the interim board and the leadership of BOPA for their commitment to Baltimore's arts community and for partnering to ensure a successful transition of key services. I encourage the Board, organization leadership, and the transition committee to use this moment to refocus on BOPA's core mission and use this opportunity to envision a future that centers and supports Baltimore's artists and creatives."