An incubator for emerging artists.

Our Art Room Agency (OARA) is an artist-led collective focused on advancing financial liberation, holistic development, and community-supported sustainability for local artists, prioritizing QTBIPOC creatives.

OARA strengthens the ecosystem of entrepreneurial resources available to creatives in Baltimore, with an emphasis on sustainability, access, and community-rooted care. We offer the following program activities

  • Eight artist critiques for our selected fellows

  • Eight professional development workshops focusing on access to Baltimore area, all of which are presented in partnership with community centric artist organizations

  • Two artist critiques available to all artists in our Baltimore community

  • Two group exhibitions

  • One artist retreat in the Poconos

  • Ongoing resource development

As Maryland faces a $3 billion budget deficit in 2025, the urgency for artists to create self-sustaining systems becomes even more clear. OARA rises to this challenge, offering infrastructure and programming that not only supports artists—but positions them as architects of alternative economies.

  • OARA Exhibiton, 2023

  • OARA Exhibition, 2024

  • Kailah Foreman

  • Works by Iris Hughey & Sarah Heerey

  • OARA Crit, 2023

  • Katie Petitt

  • Crit Session 2025, Work by Book Karnjanakit

  • Crit Session 2025, Anna Divinagracia

“This collective has shown me what real community building looks like, as a human and as a creative sharing space with other creatives.”

2024 Cohort Member

“As an artist and student of my practice, I learned different ways to approach and challenge my artistry based on feedback given from fellow artists. The lot of us have had similar journeys in our art practice and respective lives, and the sacred space that OARA created allowed us to peel back layers of ourselves without the threat of being judged or harmed.

2024 Cohort Member

“I’ve been searching for community for a while and OARA filled me with support and connected me with amazing like minded artists that I really treasure ! Really appreciate this program. A true gem.”

2024 Cohort Member