The Fitzgerald located at 1201 West Mount Royal Avenue is a versatile space suitable for a range of creative activities. Proposals may include but are not limited to makers markets, murals, live performances, workshops, cocktail hours, open mics, co-working spaces, classes, rehearsals, fashion shows, immersive experiences, temporary installations, art exhibitions, and lectures. Our aim is to collaborate with several artists and creatives to activate the space throughout the year-long period. Bloom Arts Strategy, Midtown's partner, will oversee the management of proposed activities and engagements. 

Specific themes have been selected to provide a focused and dynamic framework for proposals. Artists and organizers are encouraged, but not required, to tailor their submissions to align with the theme for each quarter, as follows:

• September 2024-November 2024: Commemoration
  Activities should honor and celebrate present-day Baltimore highlighting current events and cultural milestones that contribute to the city's cultural identity.

• December 2024-February 2025: Reflection
  Proposals should encourage introspection and community dialogue, exploring events and moments that have shaped Baltimore’s history and identity.

  *We will also prioritize events that celebrate the winter holidays during the month of December.

• March 2025-May 2025: Experimentation
  This quarter invites proposals that emphasize innovative and avant-garde projects that push the boundaries of traditional art forms and creative expression.

• June 2025-August 2025: Rebirth
  Artists and organizers should focus on renewal, transformation, and new beginnings, highlighting works that symbolize growth and change.

Space Specifications
Applicants should consider the space's capacity limitations and ensure safety regulations and guidelines compliance:

1. Size: Approximately 19,000 SF available on two levels: 14,359 on the ground floor and 5,069 SF on the mezzanine level

2. Parking: On-site parking garage

3. Security: Locked premises and a locked storage room is available

4. Accessibility: An elevator and escalator are available for public use

5. Special considerations: The Fitzgerald has a loading dock on the ground floor and a food service area on the second floor that are available for use
   

Support
All activations that do not charge for attendance will not incur a venue rental fee. Paid ticketed events may incur a minimal rental fee. Organizers/artists producing ticketed events will retain ticket income.

Activations that engage with and are free to the broader community will receive a minimum stipend of $250/activation (negotiable contingent on the scope of activation).

MCB Real Estate will commit resources towards temporary build-outs, materials, and equipment to accommodate proposed activities and engagements on a case-by-case basis such as, but not limited to, temporary walls, equipment rentals, sunshades, flooring, decor, and lighting.

Proposal Parameters
Proposals should adhere to the following parameters:

• Activities must minimize sound and noise disturbances to neighboring areas

• All proposed activities should end by 10PM

• Proposals should specify whether entry to the activations will be free or ticketed

• Organizers/artists are responsible for all setup and breakdown costs and labor

• Organizers/artists must leave the space as it was found at the start of their engagement

All activations are temporary, and if they include any physical objects or installations, they may be removed from the space after August 31, 2025. MCB Real Estate may require a nominal security deposit that is refundable, provided all terms of the agreement have been met.

Proposal Requirements
Interested individuals or teams are requested to submit proposals that include the following:

1. Contact information

2. Brief bio of the artist(s) or organizational mission and history (500 words or less)

3. A detailed description of planned activities. The description can be submitted as a written response (750 words or less) OR a video explanation (3 minutes or less), whichever is preferred, but must include:

1. Detailed description of the activation

2. Preferred dates for the activation

3. How the activation speaks to that quarter’s theme

4. Goals for the activation and anticipated impact

5. Target audience

6. Whether the activation will be free or ticketed

4. Resume or description of previous experience in organizing similar events or activations.

5. Three examples of existing relevant work, such as link to an online portfolio, artist website, photos of events, work samples, etc.

Eligibility

This RFP is open to current residents of and organizations based in the Greater Baltimore area. Collaborative submissions are welcome.

Selection Process

Proposals will be evaluated based on feasibility, alignment with project objectives, and budget considerations. A selection committee will review all submissions and select the most compelling proposals for implementation. The committee will include Baltimore-based artists Gaia and Liz Miller, as well as representatives from MCB Real Estate, Midtown Baltimore, Bloom Arts Strategy, and Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.

Frequently Asked Questions