Celebrate Maryland's Local Arts Scene

Baltimore Art Attractions

Because the 210,000-square-foot 1920s building is just as impressive as its contents, the Baltimore Museum of Art is often called a temple of art. See more than 95,000 works, including the largest Henri Matisse collection in the world.

For something more whimsical try the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, which showcases works by self-taught artists. Stroll through sculpture plazas and a wildflower garden and don’t miss the chance to visit in May—when the annual Race of Human-Powered Art presents a wacky hodgepodge of custom-built amphibious kinetic sculptures

The Walters Art Museum is housed in a grand Italian-style palazzo—which makes you feel like you’re roaming an estate instead of a  museum. This is a great one for the kids—they will ooh and aah at the sight of an Egyptian mummy and enough shining armor to clad a regiment of knights. For more off-canvas art, see former President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks immortalized at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, the first wax museum in the country showcasing African American history with more than 100 wax figures and exhibits.

For performing arts in Baltimore, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company  offers traditional takes as well as fresh and fun spins on classic plays.

Glenstone Museum

There’s plenty more to enjoy outside the city of Baltimore. In Potomac, don’t miss the Glenstone Museum. The museum is a tribute to art, nature and architecture working together. There is plenty to see when you walk the grounds—between the outdoor spaces with larger-than-life sculptures and the indoor galleries with walls upon walls of wonder, the museum houses more than 1,300 post-World War II pieces to admire. Follow trails that lead you around the grounds to catch them all!

Performing Arts

You’ll also want to catch a performance at The Avalon Theatre in Easton—often called the “Showplace of the Eastern Shore.” Leaded glass doors at every entrance, an 18-foot dome with 148 lights and a 300-pipe electro-pneumatic organ provide pizzazz. Performances include everything from stand up comedy to theatrical performances and musicals. For something a bit more Broadway, try Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. In-the-round staging provides great views; no seat is more than 30 feet from the stage.

If you prefer your performing arts sans script—the Old Line State is also home to rockin' music venues. Find out where to go for live music in Maryland!

Annmarie Sculpture Garden

In Southern Maryland, catch a one-of-a-kind art experience. See sculptures dotting the forest landscape at the  Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center  in Dowell in Southern Maryland. Explore the indoor museum, outdoor gallery and fairy garden.

Decoy Art

In fact, the  Havre de Grace Decoy Museum  elevates well-carved decoys from hunting lures to folk art in Harford County. See lifelike ducks, including mallards, green-winged teals and widgeons, in addition to geese, shorebirds, birds of prey and songbirds. Watch artists compete at the two-day Havre de Grace Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival each May.