“As an artist and student of my practice, I learned different ways to approach and challenge my artistry based on feedback given from fellow artists. The lot of us have had similar journeys in our art practice and respective lives, and the sacred space that OARA created allowed us to peel back layers of ourselves without the threat of being judged or harmed.”

2024 Cohort Member

Installation by Didi Cook-Creek and Momo Mullings

Photo Credit: Winston Zhou

2024 Cohort

Abbie Rugg

Didi Cook-Creek

Ladan Savar

Vetiver

Sarah Magida

Jordan Carter

MC Carey

LeRease Clark

Kehinde Applewhite

Katie Peck

Desiree Thaniel

Momo Mullings

Aisha Nailah White

OARA strengthens the ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources available to creatives in Baltimore, with an emphasis on sustainability, access, and community-rooted care.

OARA offers the following programming within the fellowship:

  • 8 artist critiques for our selected fellows

  • 8 professional development workshops

  • 2 community critiques available to all artists in the Baltimore community

  • 1 group exhibitions

  • 1 artist retreat in the Poconos

  • Ongoing resource development

As Maryland faces a $3 billion budget deficit in 2025, the urgency for artists to create self-sustaining systems becomes even more clear. OARA rises to this challenge, offering infrastructure and programming that not only supports artists—but positions them as architects of alternative economies.