Welcome artists. We are glad you are here!
This page is intended as a brief overview for artists interested in participating in the Baker Artist Portfolios and / or becoming eligible for a Baker Artist Award.
About the Baker Artist Portfolios
The Baker Artist Portfolios is a free, online portfolio website open to artists working in all disciplines who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties.
Artists with portfolios are also eligible for one of the annual Baker Artist Awards, totaling $90,000 annually.
Artists with portfolios are invited to participate in a wide variety of opportunities, including showcases, exhibitions, and access to other events and venues to share and sell their work.
The Baker Artist Portfolios and the Baker Artist Awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
About The Baker Artist Awards
All artists who have an active Baker Artist Portfolio on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 5:00PM will be considered for one of this years six awards.
The Baker Artist Awards recognize artists who demonstrate excellence in three areas: Mastery of Craft, Depth of Artistic Exploration, and Unique Vision.
In 2025, one artist in each of the six artistic disciplines-- Visual Arts, Film/ Video, Interdisciplinary, Literary Arts, Performance, and Music-- will be awarded the $10,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prize. One of these six artists will be selected to receive the additional $30,000 Mary Sawyers Imboden prize, for a total of $40,000.
Along with cash awards, selected awardees in the Visual Arts and Interdisciplinary Arts categories are invited to participate in a bi-annual exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
Eligibility
In order to create a Baker Artist Portfolio, artists must meet both of the following criteria:
- Engaged in the creation of artwork of any discipline.
- Legal Resident of the Baltimore region, residing in either Baltimore City or its five surrounding counties: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.
- At least 21 years old.
Any artist who meets the above criteria are eligible to create a portfolio.
All artists who have an active Baker Artist Portfolio on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 5:00PM will automatically considered to receive one of six annual Baker Artist Awards, totaling $90,000.
For more detailed information about eligibility, awards, and the adjudication process, please click here.
Info Sessions
The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance hosts Informational Sessions for artists looking to get insight and assistance on putting together their portfolio. To see a list of upcoming Info Sessions, please click here.
To watch a recording of a recent Info Session, please click here.
Who we are
Great Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) creates equity and opportunity in, through and for arts and culture in the Baltimore region.
The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund commits its resources to enhance the region's economy and quality of life by making investments in arts and culture. Its grants support artistic and cultural organizations and their partners through initiatives that enhance an individual’s sense of self and pleasure and make Baltimore a more attractive place to live and work.
Questions?
Reach out to us at [email protected]