Creative Alliance will be trying something completely new beginning in January 2026 by launching its first-ever thematic season, “We the People.”
“We the People” is a year-long exploration of who “we” are as neighbors, artists, Baltimoreans, and as part of the evolving story of America. The exploration takes place through performances, exhibitions, and community programs, across every stage, gallery, and classroom.
The theme of “We the People” rests on the foundation that the arts are an expression of who we are and who we are becoming. That assumption allows each performance, workshop, and festival to add to the larger conversation about our home, heritage, and identity. The season’s theme aims to show how creativity and the arts can honor our past and reimagine our future.
Season highlights from “We the People” will include musical and dramatic performances, visual arts programs centering identity and heritage, educational programs for all ages, and a Marquee Ball in early May 2026.
Performances will showcase Baltimore’s amazing storytellers, with Stoop Stories’ 25th Anniversary and the Mortified and Crankie Festival. These experiences remind us (The People) that we thrive as a community when we share our stories and find common ground, paving the way for future artists and visionaries. The Say Sister Festival will also return, with women guitarists who light up the stage with their collaboration and creativity. The 15th anniversary of Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club uses satire as a vehicle for commentary on the state of the world, even embracing Americana and examining our relationship to comedy, costume and celebrity.
On the visual arts front, The Goxxip Girl Collective amplifies voices of women artists through visual storytelling and cultural dialogue. Baltimore’s filmmaking community is invited to “The Many Americas” film series to examine America’s complex identity as it relates to culture, race, and belonging. Returning Artists-in-Residence alumni Hope and Faith McCorkle present a new multimedia installation inspired by Creative Alliance’s residency program and its impact on Baltimore’s artistic landscape.
For youth and families, the season’s theme is present in programs like the Open Minds After-School Art Club, Teen Council, and CIELO (Creative Immigrant Educators of Latin American Origin). Students will show us who they are with original exhibitions, storytelling projects, and public art, ensuring that “We the People” are guided by the next generation into the future.
Creative Alliance’s Marquee Ball is slated to return on May 2, 2026, with the theme to be announced soon. One of the biggest parties in Baltimore, this event sustains Creative Alliance’s mission to make art accessible to all. It helps nurture artists, bring in audiences, and offer the free creative programs to thousands of local students that are as important to their education as every other foundational subject.
“Baltimore is a beautiful microcosm of culture, where all are welcome to define — or redefine — themselves,” Creative Alliance executive director Jason Steer said in a statement. “We invite our community to join us in shaping the America we want to see — one story, one artist, one community at a time.”
To learn more about Creative Alliance and be the first to know about tickets for events, future programs, the 2026 Marquee Ball theme, and to keep up with the latest news and announcements, visit the Creative Alliance website.
