Former American Visionary Art Museum director Jenenne Whitfield has joined MCB Real Estate, the owner of Harborplace, in the newly created position of Harborplace Director of Experience.
In an announcement on Tuesday, MCB noted that executives learned from recent community engagement sessions that the general public believes art, culture and experience are important components of a reimagined Harborplace. It said Whitfield’s role will be to “help reimagine the firsthand experience at a new Harborplace” and that the company is looking to her to “infuse Harborplace with innovative and inclusive cultural programming.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Jenenne Whitfield to our team,” said MCB managing partner P. David Bramble, in a statement. “Her proven background of fostering creativity and inclusivity aligns perfectly with our vision for Harborplace. Together, we are committed to creating a dynamic cultural destination that celebrates Baltimore – even before we put a shovel in the ground. Harborplace has always been the City’s gathering place and our commitment through the process is to return Harborplace to that glory in a modern 21st century way.”
Last October, MCB unveiled plans to raze the two shopping pavilions at Pratt and Light streets and replace them with a $500 million mixed-use development that includes two residential towers containing 900 apartments, offices, shops, restaurants and open space. The company needs approval from city voters in November in order to move ahead with its plans. In the meantime, it has been working to re-lease vacant spaces in the two pavilions to draw visitors to the Inner Harbor.
Whitfield served as director of the American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway from September 2022 to September 2023. Before moving to Baltimore, she was president of the Heidelberg Project in Detroit, a cultural attraction and tourist destination that combined art with community revitalization. According to MCB, she has 30 years of experience working with “arts and cultural experiences.”
Whitfield serves on Mayor Brandon Scott’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and recently was part of the jury that selected five artists to paint portraits of Baltimore mayors not currently represented in City Hall. She started work with MCB last week.
“When I met David and his team, I learned more of their passion and plans for Harborplace; I thought, VISION, let’s do this,” Whitfield said in a statement. “Baltimore is such an exciting city with energy that sets new precedents for what a world-class, diverse city can be. I am excited to have been invited to the table.”
The redevelopment of Harborplace “is not just a real estate transaction,” Bramble said. Whitfield’s appointment as Director of Experience “reinforces our goal of harnessing the power of positive energy to reimagine Harborplace [as] a world class waterfront destination.”
I think this is a good move