Baltimore Terminates Contract with BOPA

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates has officially terminated its contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA), effective January 20, 2025, due to ongoing financial mismanagement and operational challenges. Mayor Brandon Scott cited BOPA's failure to maintain transparency regarding its finances, which included a projected deficit of $650,000 and the inability to fulfill multiple event obligations. BOPA CEO Rachel Graham argued that the organization was not given sufficient time to rectify its financial issues and expressed disappointment over the decision. The termination raises concerns within the arts community, as local artists fear a loss of support and resources that BOPA traditionally provided. Moving forward, the city plans to take over or subcontract many of BOPA's responsibilities, but the future status of BOPA as the city's designated arts council remains uncertain. BOPA is still required to oversee some upcoming events, including the New Year’s Eve fireworks and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.