After a car crashed through the front doors of Motor House last month, the Baltimore arts hub is holding a series of events to raise money for repairs and celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO), the nonprofit that runs Motor House, will hold two rent parties. The first will take place today, July 10, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Showroom, the bar on the first floor of Motor House. A second is being planned for Aug. 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Located at 120 W. North Ave., Motor House inhabits a renovated 1914 automotive showroom, so the Station North property has a history with automobiles. Still, the vehicle crash on June 29 was a shock to the venue, right as it was preparing for its Tin Anniversary.
“We were fortunate to only have to close for a few days, but the challenges are far from over,” said Tori Martin, program director at BARCO, in a statement. “While we’re back in operation, we’re still facing the financial burden of repairing the damage caused by the vehicle collision.”
Martin thanked community members for their support as the venue recovers from the incident.
“It’s an unexpected and untraditional way to kick off our fundraising efforts and celebratory events,” Martin said. “We’re incredibly thankful to the community, who have reached out in the days since the accident.”
Motor House includes gallery spaces, a black box theater, offices, a showroom and artist studios. It has served as a venue for performers, visual artists, and community gatherings since it opened in 2015.
“Celebrating 10 years of Motor House is a milestone that reflects BARCO’s commitment to developing spaces where art and community intersect,” said Leon F. Pinkett III, CEO and executive director of BARCO, in a statement. “We are a people-centric developer dedicated to ensuring that artists and neighborhoods not only have a place to create but the support they need to thrive—turning spaces into vibrant, lasting communities.”
In addition to the two rent parties, Motor House is planning several other celebrations, including a Fashion Meets Art Weekend on Aug. 15-16. The two-day event will feature runway shows, workshops, artist-led classes and networking opportunities.
Funders and key supporters will gather Oct. 9 for a private VIP reception and sneak peek of a new documentary short film about Motor House and its impact over the past decade.
Then, on Oct. 10, a public event will include performances, food, installations and other artistic highlights. The documentary trailer will also be shown at this event.
The full documentary short will be screened Nov. 1 at Motor House’s Black Box Theater, followed by a talkback with BARCO leadership as they discuss the decade ahead for Motor House.
“Motor House has emerged as a cultural anchor in Station North and a vital force in Baltimore’s creative resurgence,” said Tonya Miller Hall, Senior Advisor for Arts and Culture in the Baltimore Mayor’s Office, in a statement. “Over the past decade, it has nurtured artists, elevated voices, and provided a space for bold expression and collective imagination. Its impact on our arts ecosystem is undeniable — it’s a home for creatives, a hub of innovation, and a launchpad for what’s next. Congratulations to the Motor House team on ten transformative years of artistic excellence and community building.”
“It was transformative for GBCA to move into the Motor House,” said Jeannie Howe, executive director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, which was one of the first organizations to become a tenant of Motor House. “Having a professional space validated us and made us feel seen. The third floor was bustling with people and organizations doing similar work, and our open‑door policy fostered partnerships and cohesion. And, of course, the artists were at the heart of it all! BARCO truly fulfilled its mission of creating a community and a thriving creative hub.”
“Jane Brown and Neil Didriksen’s vision paired with Amy Bonitz’s leadership helped make Motor House a reality,” Pinkett said. “Together with the support of the entire team at the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, they created a space that continues to uplift and celebrate Baltimore’s creative community.”
