Baltimore Mayor Locks In 2027 Artscape Headliners After Downtown Revival Push
Raphael Saadiq and Rapsody will perform at the 43rd annual festival, which the city says generated $4.4 million in economic activity last year.
By Ariana Flores ·
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott named Raphael Saadiq and Rapsody as the headline acts for the 2027 Artscape festival on Thursday. The announcement took place at City Hall, where the mayor confirmed the two musicians will perform at the free annual event.
The festival dates are set for May 29 and May 30, 2027. Scott did not specify which day Saadiq or Rapsody will play. Other performers for the event have not yet been announced.
The 2027 edition marks the 43rd year of Artscape. It will be the third consecutive year the festival is held in downtown Baltimore. This location change is part of a ten-year city initiative to revitalize the downtown area. The main stage will be situated in front of City Hall. Additional programming will take place at War Memorial Plaza and the area beneath the Jones Falls Expressway.
Scott also announced a new city-wide Arts and Culture Week scheduled for May 23 through May 30, 2027. Programming for this week-long extension will be revealed in the future. The mayor stated that a comedy roast of himself will be part of the festivities.
"Media partners, sign up now," Scott said. "But just know, the mayor is also a comedian, and I get the microphone last. So we cannot wait."
The decision to keep Artscape downtown follows a 2025 move from its traditional locations in Mount Vernon, Station North, and Bolton Hill. That relocation received mixed reactions from the local arts community. Linzy Jackson, director of the Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, reported that the 2025 edition generated nearly $4.4 million in total economic output. This represents a 41% year-over-year increase.
The new location allows for the inclusion of the SCOUT Art Fair inside the War Memorial building. Scott noted that the indoor space protects artwork from rain and other weather that previously damaged pieces and disrupted the mostly outdoor event. Last year, the Roots and Stephanie Mills headlined Artscape, with the Roots performing through a rainstorm. The 2027 festival will run from noon to 9 p.m. on those two days.
