WHY WE SHARE OUR SPACES

To create a more equitable civic arts ecology.

At BCS, we know that for artists and creative changemakers in Baltimore and beyond, access to resources like space, networks, finances, and more is not equitably distributed. We also know this scarcity drives competition rather than collaboration.

Our BCS Shared Space Initiative leverages BCS’s largest asset, our building, as a civic and cultural anchor for Baltimore and the state of Maryland by sharing our spaces (theaters, lobbies, meeting rooms, and more), staff time and knowledge, and community connections with values-aligned artists, organizations, and neighbors for a more equitable civic ecology.   

 

HOW IT WORKS 

We offer a variety of ways to take advantage of our Shared Space Initiative, so whether you’re an individual artist in search of a venue or a non-profit organization looking for a place to host a special event, we’re excited to host you!

We hold a variety of One-Off Shared Space activities throughout the year.  Some examples include an experiential learning visit with dance students at Western High School, the 2022 Baltimore Teacher Network’s Beacon of Light Awards, and Chase Brexton’s 2023 National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day celebration. Our partners who participate in One-Off activities receive 75% subsidized space plus marketing support through our channels.

We have established Core Shared Space community partnerships with the Black Arts District, Native American Lifelines, the Baltimore American Indian Center, and LoveGroove Entertainment. These organizations, whose missions align with ours, receive fully subsidized space for multiple activities throughout a calendar year, thought-partnership and producing support from our staff, and marketing support through BCS’s channels. 

And finally, we offer subsidized space for all Non-profit Organizations at a 25% discount from our standard rental rates.

Thank you to the generosity of BCS’s funders who make it possible for us to offer our resources through the Shared Space Initiative!

 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

If you or your organization is interested in collaborating on a One-Off activity or taking advantage of the Nonprofit Organization discount through the Shared Space Initiative, please email us at rentals@centerstage.org. 

At this time, we are not seeking additional Core community partners, but we look forward to identifying more as resources become available.

Please note the following:

BCS’s resources and spaces are subject to availability. While we wish we could, we know we won’t be able to accommodate every request, so with a goal of an equitable, transparent process, we want to be clear about the values that guide our decision-making. Through the BCS Shared Space Initiative, we prioritize Baltimore-based, mission aligned: 

  • BIPOC artists, producers, and organizations
  • Artists and organizations without their own venues
  • Civic agencies, organizations, and movements 

If you want to bring your event to BCS but the Shared Space Initiative sounds like it might not be the right fit for you or your organization, we invite you to learn more about our Rentals program, which also serves a wide variety of business, personal, and community needs each year.  Email us at rentals@centerstage.org if you have questions.