“This collective has shown me what real community building looks like, as a human and as a creative sharing space with other creatives.”

Critique Session, 2025

Work by Jasmine Washington

2025 Cohort

Kennedy McDaniel

Muse Dodd

Mathilde Mujanayi

Sim Ireti

Korcelia Saygbay

Book Karnjanakit

Anna Divinagracia

HOPE & FAITH McCorkle

Jasmine Washignton

Lohitha Kethu

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.