On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Scott officially announced that Philadelphia’s renowned hip-hop group, The Roots, alongside Broadway superstar Stephanie Mills, will be the main attractions at Baltimore’s Artscape festival during the Memorial Day weekend.
The Roots are scheduled to perform on Saturday, May 23, while Stephanie Mills, celebrated for her role as the original Dorothy in the Broadway classic “The Wiz,” will take the stage on May 24. Artscape will feature not only a main stage but also two “echo” stages. Additional performers, including a lineup of local talents, will be revealed in due course.
Last year, Artscape attracted over 60,000 visitors each day, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year, according to Linzy Jackson, the director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, & Entertainment.
“We are thrilled to continue building on Artscape’s momentum as it serves as a significant economic catalyst for Baltimore. In our city, culture is closely tied to infrastructure,” Jackson stated.
For the first time in 2025, the festival’s location was shifted from midtown to downtown, and its dates were moved from summer to spring. These changes proved successful, prompting organizers to repeat them this year, noted Robyn Murphy, CEO of Create Baltimore, previously known as the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.
“For over 40 years, Artscape has represented our identity as a creative city,” Murphy remarked. “When managing something with such a deep-rooted history, you eventually face a choice: either preserve it in its original form or allow it to evolve. Last year, we chose the path of evolution.”
Murphy emphasized that this evolution required the team to take risks, even while facing doubts from some quarters.
“Now that I’m reflecting on it, I’m grateful for the support from Mayor Scott—those risks truly paid off,” she added.
Artscape will also reintroduce popular attractions from last year, such as the Scout Art Fair, an affordable exhibition featuring artworks by emerging artists, held at the War Memorial Building.
Kidscape will offer an engaging space for younger attendees as well as the young-at-heart.
The festival will showcase film programming and host the “In Conversation” series, which promotes discussions among artists and other professionals.
Artscape After Dark, a highlight from the previous year that featured former American Idol contestant Frenchie Davis in a speakeasy-themed event, will also return.
Local restaurants will be involved in The Flavor Lab, where festival-goers can enjoy exquisite dishes, drink pairings, and live cooking demonstrations.
Additionally, there will be pop-up performances throughout the festival area, ensuring that art comes alive, with some surprise elements also on the horizon, according to Murphy.
And yes, there will be an increase in public art installations.
“We took note of Baltimore’s demand for more art at Artscape; you can definitely expect more public art this year. We aim to create lasting installations that will contribute to the city and make Artscape a year-round part of our community,” Murphy affirmed.
According to Jackson, food and beverage sales saw an increase of about 6.2% at last year’s Artscape.
However, Mayor Scott acknowledged one major complaint from last year: long wait times for food and drinks.
“We heard your concerns about the food. We intend to tackle this issue head-on, as it was the most frequently voiced concern. This year will be better, and we will offer even more,” the mayor assured attendees.
Applications for food and beverage vendors are currently open, with an early bird deadline set for January 25 at 11:59 p.m.
A general deadline for applications concerning food, beverages, artist markets, Kidscape, performers, volunteers, and sponsorships will follow on February 20 at 5 p.m.
While the city invested approximately $1.6 million in the Artscape program last year, the festival generated an impressive $8.8 million economic impact on Baltimore, according to Mayor Scott.
“Some may argue that spending on these events is unnecessary, claiming the city should focus on other priorities. However, this is crucial—any vibrant, growing city must embrace such cultural initiatives,” he explained.
Events like Artscape and AFRAM hold significant cultural relevance for Baltimore residents and serve as critical tools for attracting visitors to the city, according to Mayor Scott.
“For those familiar with our neighboring cities, I encourage you to come to Baltimore for Memorial Day weekend. There’s not much happening in D.C., and for those in Philadelphia, come experience The Roots. You love their music, and so do we—so head down to Baltimore, enjoy a crab cake, which is undoubtedly better than a cheesesteak,” the mayor added.
