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BOPA announces return of Free Fall Baltimore
Contact:
Tracy Baskerville
Jennifer Ogunsola
410-752-8632
Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts announce the anticipated return of Free Fall Baltimore, an arts initiative and cultural tourism program created in 2006 to make art and culture more accessible to area residents and visitors. In addition, the results of a program review indicate that Free Fall Baltimore was a success and had a tremendous impact on the city’s arts community.
Taking place in October and November of 2006, Free Fall Baltimore featured more than 80 arts organizations presenting over 175 free events including performances, lectures, workshops and hands-on creative experiences. The highlight of Free Fall Baltimore was the elimination of admission fees at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum.
Within the two-month period, 342 free cultural activities attracted approximately 180,000 people to attractions, theaters, museums, art centers, workshops and more. By offering a multitude of arts programming for free, many residents and visitors had an opportunity to visit and explore organizations that they may have not been able to attend in the past.
Because a positive response to the program was experienced by residents and participating cultural organizations, Free Fall Baltimore is expected to return in 2007 pending the approval of $500,000 by the Baltimore City Council in the supplemental budget. Once again, cultural organizations will be able to apply for grant money to help underwrite the costs of free admissions, programs, workshops and performances.
“It is very important to engage youth in the arts, and Free Fall Baltimore made the arts and cultural activities even more accessible to our residents. I have continued to support this initiative by including it in the supplemental budget,” said Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Free Fall Baltimore not only created buzz locally, but with the support of the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA), regional audiences were notified of the arts initiative. Free Fall Baltimore was the centerpiece of BACVA’s fall destination advertising and marketing plan and will be again in 2007.
Free Fall Baltimore is presented by Mayor Sheila Dixon and coordinated by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts in partnership with the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, The Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum and other public and private organizations.
Cultural organizations can apply for a grant by going to www.promotionandarts.com or www.freefallbaltimore.com.
For more information on Free Fall Baltimore, contact the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts at 410-752-8632 or visit www.promotionandarts.com.