By Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation
Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO), the nonprofit developer behind the creative hub Motor House, is inviting the community to celebrate as Motor House marks a decade of fostering creativity, community and cultural expression. One of Baltimore’s most vibrant arts spaces, Motor House will host a free public celebration Friday, Oct. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by an after-party until 1 a.m.
The free, all-night anniversary celebration will feature live performances, food tastings, a documentary short premiere and a high-energy dance party. The event is open to the public and designed to reflect the past, present and future of one of the city’s most vital creative spaces.
“This is more than a party. It is a tribute to the creative heartbeat of Baltimore and the community that built it,” said Jessica Smith, managing director, Motor House. “For 10 years, Motor House has opened its doors to artists and audiences alike. This night is about celebrating that spirit and looking ahead to an even bolder future.”
The celebration will fill every corner of Motor House, from Graffiti Alley to the Black Box Theater. Guests will also get a taste of MoonFire Kitchen’s curated anniversary menu, featuring 10 new dishes offered as hors d’oeuvres at timed intervals throughout the night.
Inside, performances will run continuously in both the Showroom and Black Box Theater. The lineup will include music, dance, comedy, spoken word and more, highlighting the diversity and energy that have defined Motor House over the past decade.
The evening also features the premiere of the documentary short, “Motor House: The Making of Baltimore’s Creative Crossroads,” written and directed by Baltimore native Eric Cotten and filmed and edited by fellow Baltimore native Imani Muleyyar. The screening will be followed by a live talkback with Motor House staff and BARCO leadership, moderated by a local member of the media to be announced soon.
To close out the night, the dance floor opens with Morphing Grid, a future-house and video game inspired party that will carry the celebration into the early morning.
Guests will also be the first to learn about the 2026 season, as Motor House reveals its upcoming programming and introduces the artists and creative teams leading the way.
“This event is both a celebration of all we’ve accomplished and a reminder of the important work still ahead,” said Tori Martin, program director, BARCO. “It’s a chance to honor our past while building momentum to support the creative projects and community connections that will shape our future.”
Motor House, located in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District, has served as a multidisciplinary arts hub since BARCO’s founding of it in 2015. For more information about the anniversary events or to donate, visit www.motorhousebaltimore.com/10year.
Baltimore Beat is the official media partner of Motor House’s 10-year anniversary celebration.
About Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO)
Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO) is a nonprofit developer creating affordable, sustainable spaces for artists and makers. Signature projects include Motor House, a dynamic arts hub in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District, and neighboring Graffiti Alley, a nationally and locally recognized landmark for street art and creative expression. BARCO also developed Open Works, one of the country’s most inclusive maker spaces and The Commissary by BARCO, a space for culinary entrepreneurs. Through these spaces, BARCO fuels Baltimore’s creative economy with a focus on equity, culture and community.