Baltimore’s art scene will once again take center stage this spring as the Scout Art Fair returns as part of Artscape, bringing together emerging and established artists in a space designed to make art more accessible, community-centered, and deeply connected to the city.

Presented by Create Baltimore in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (MOACE), the Scout Art Fair will feature 33 solo artist booths and seven gallery booths showcasing works priced between $150 and $5,000. The fair is part of Artscape, the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival.

Founded in 2025 by Derrick Adams, Scout was created to help emerging and established artists connect with new audiences and collectors through affordable price points and dynamic presentations. The 2026 edition will be curated by acclaimed Baltimore photographer Devin Allen, alongside assistant curator Cierra Britton.

For Allen, the focus of Scout begins and ends with the artists.

“At the heart of it all is the artists,” Allen said. “I had the opportunity to select my co-curator, Cierra Britton, who I’m really excited to be working with, alongside a panel of judges who helped identify and select the artists. Ultimately, I have the final say on who gets in — and that’s something I don’t take lightly. Making sure the right artists are in that room is the most important thing to me.”

Allen said the opportunity to curate Scout is also deeply personal because it allows him to create pathways for other Baltimore creatives.

“What drives me most is what this position allows me to do for other artists,” Allen said. “Baltimore has always had talent. Being in a position now where I can help other artists get their work seen in Baltimore City at the largest free art festival means everything to me. Because somebody gave me a chance, and I want to extend that same energy to the next person.”

This year’s fair features a diverse lineup of artists including Ayana Gordon, Candice Tavares, Eric January, Katie Pumphrey, Lauren Bessette, Natasha Fortson, Roe Vision, Tamara Payne, Vetiver (Vonne Napper), and Zsudayka Nzinga, among others. Participating galleries include Heather Grey Gallery, Black Is, Current Space, Red Giant, SBM Gallery, and XOXO Gallery.

Allen believes platforms like Scout and Artscape are helping reshape Baltimore’s creative landscape by giving artists visibility within their own communities.

“Over the years, I’ve watched something shift,” Allen said. “I’ve seen the creative community grow. I’ve seen more artists come out of these same neighborhoods and flourish. Platforms like Scout and Artscape are a big part of why that’s possible because they give artists a place to show their work and feel seen in their own communities.”

He added that opportunities like Scout can help retain creative talent in Baltimore, where many artists have historically felt pressured to leave in search of broader opportunities.

“The hard truth is that a lot of Baltimore artists have had to leave the city to find real opportunity,” Allen said. “But platforms like Scout give artists a reason to stay, a place to grow right here at home.”

Beyond visibility, Allen said affordability is central to Scout’s mission. By keeping artwork within reach for everyday supporters and first-time collectors, the fair creates stronger connections between artists and the communities that support them.

“Scout acts as an incubator — bringing together artists who have that knowledge and artists who don’t, so everyone can learn and grow together,” Allen said. “Art can get expensive, and that can create a wall between artists and the people who genuinely love their work. Scout breaks that wall down.”

The Scout Art Fair continues Create Baltimore’s efforts to elevate Baltimore artists on a national stage while reinforcing the city’s identity as a thriving center for creativity, culture, and innovation.