As featured in the Baltimore Sun on February 26, 2016.
Baltimore voters can get an idea of how candidates in the mayoral race stack up when it comes to issues of the arts and culture in the city.
All registered candidates have been invited to take part in this first-of-its-kind Citizen Artist Baltimore Mayoral Forum on Arts and Culture on March 7.
Citizen Artist Baltimore is a nonpartisan initiative organized by the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Maryland Citizens for the Arts and the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation. They are in partnership with the Maryland Institute College of Art, where the forum will be held.
As of Wednesday night, five of those vying to succeed Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as Baltimore mayor
Organizers point to a study that shows the arts industry in Baltimore is generating nearly $400 million in economic activity and supporting about 9,500 jobs.
"Baltimore is home to thousands of voters who care about the arts — theater, concert, and museum-goers; and workers in creative fields," Maryland Citizens for the Arts Executive Director John Schratwieser said in a statement. "They value core issues like public safety and education, but they also care deeply about the candidates' positions on arts and culture."
MICA President Samuel Hoi added:
"The arts and education, with unique potential to strengthen our city's future, need to be integral in our next Mayor's leadership efforts. We have the opportunity to tell a new story about Baltimore for the world to see."
The 90-minute forum will start at 6 p.m. March 7 in Falvey Hall of the Brown Center
at MICA, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave.