New Managing Director, Jessica Smith

Jessica Smith, New Managing Director of Motor House Baltimore

BALTIMORE, August 14 2025 — Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO) has appointed Jessica “Culture Queen” Smith, an award-winning arts innovator and cultural producer, as Motor House’s new Managing Director. Smith brings a powerful blend of visionary leadership, creative storytelling and a deep-rooted commitment to community engagement to the role. This announcement coincides with Motor House celebrating its 10 year anniversary, marking a decade of dedication to the community and the arts.

As Managing Director, Smith oversees strategic planning, daily operations and programming to position Motor House as a dynamic hub for Baltimore’s creative economy. She creates opportunities for artists to develop, experiment and showcase their work, with Baltimore as the inspiration, while also leading a talented team, driving fundraising, curating seasonal programming and building relationships that keep the organization thriving. 

“I’m honored and thrilled to serve as Managing Director at Motor House, where creativity thrives, artists shine and our community comes together for something unforgettable in the heart of Charm City,” said Jessica Smith, Managing Director, Motor House. “With a vision rooted in community and innovation, I’m mission-driven to create opportunities for artists to develop, experiment and showcase their work, while ensuring our staff enjoys the same positive, inspiring experience we provide to our patrons.”

A longtime arts access advocate in Maryland, Smith previously served as Chief Arts Officer at Arts for Learning Maryland and Executive Director of the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center. Her leadership supported initiatives reaching more than 50,000 students annually, including Arts Career Day and the Blacktastic a Virtual Children’s Festival Celebrating Maryland’s African American History and Culture. 

She founded Culture Kingdom Kids, a nationally acclaimed company that has produced Black history-centered performances for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the National Children’s Museum, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap, and Busboys and Poets.

Smith’s creative portfolio includes the children’s book and album I Like the Me I See!, the TED-Ed short Mansa Musa: One of the Wealthiest People Who Ever Lived (with more than 8 million views), the Grammy-nominated anthem I Am the Future of Black History, the holiday musical Bone Soup: A Kwanzaa Story and the viral dance The Kwanzaa Slide.

“We’ve spent the past 10 years growing Motor House into a cornerstone of Baltimore’s creative community,” said Tori Martin, Program Director, BARCO. “Jessica’s arrival signals a new chapter that will deepen our mission, amplify our impact and build lasting momentum.”

A native of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and a resident of Baltimore City, Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Education and African American studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Communications and Journalism at Morgan State University.

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About Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO)Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO) is a nonprofit developer creating affordable, sustainable spaces for artists and makers. Signature projects include Motor House, a dynamic arts hub in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District, and neighboring Graffiti Alley, a nationally and locally recognized landmark for street art and creative expression. BARCO also developed Open Works, one of the country’s most inclusive maker spaces. Through these spaces, BARCO fuels Baltimore’s creative economy with a focus on equity, culture, and community.