How do large-scale public art initiatives actually happen? Join design professionals, artists, and community partners for an in-depth look at the expertise, partnerships, and processes behind Inviting Light—one of Baltimore’s most ambitious recent public art projects.

Produced by Central Baltimore Partnership in partnership with the Neighborhood Design Center and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Inviting Light was a two-year initiative supported by a $1 million Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge award. The project transformed the Station North Arts District with five large-scale, light-based artworks and sparked deep collaboration among residents, nonprofits, artists, and the City of Baltimore.

Now that the installations are complete, this half-day symposium unpacks what it really took to bring each artwork to life—from navigating permitting and technical challenges to fundraising, fabrication, and community engagement. The program includes indoor presentations and breakout discussions, followed by an outdoor twilight walk to “Hike the Sites,” visiting all five installations with on-site interpretation.