Behind the Build: Making Public Art Happen

When a million-dollar investment in public art came to Baltimore, it set the stage for something extraordinary. Inviting Light—a two-year initiative produced by Central Baltimore Partnership and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies —transformed the Station North Arts District with five large-scale, light-based artworks. 

Behind the curtain, the project sparked deep, cross-sector collaborations – and now that the installations are complete, it’s time to unpack what it really took to bring each artwork to life, and what lessons the design and planning community can carry forward. From navigating technical hurdles to forging partnerships across sectors, Inviting Light offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at producing ambitious public art at scale.

We believe that collaboration is the spark that brings places to life—illuminating public space, deepening community connection, and shaping a more equitable built environment. In partnership with AIA Baltimore and Central Baltimore Partnership (CBP), the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) is offering a half-day professional development event to unpack behind the scenes learnings from CBP’s Inviting Light initiative—Baltimore’s $1M, two-year light based public art program, funded by a Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge Award

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The Neighborhood Design Center