Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center — Attraction in Baltimore

In the late 1960’s due to a lack of attention being given to cultural arts, the Neighborhood Parents Club (NPC) took on the task of forming an after school arts program. As a direct result of these efforts, the NPC at Baltimore’s Dunbar High School received support for the arts through a demonstration project funded by the Baltimore City Model Cities Agency. The initial grassroots effort, then, evolved into six cultural arts centers around the city.

Model Cites subsequently merged with Baltimore’s Community Action Agency in the mid-seventies to become the Urban Services Agency.

The focus of these centers was performing arts (dance, theater, band, voice, and instrument) and visual arts (painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture). In 1978, a seventh center was opened, establishing Gallery 409 (at 409 N Charles Street) as the Urban Services Agency’s premier cultural arts center.

Simultaneously, conversations were being held with Eubie and Marion Blake in an attempt to bring significant pieces of the Eubie Blake collection to his birth place of Baltimore. Agreements were reached and the title for the original permanent collection was given by Mrs. Blake, to the Maryland Historical Society while a portion of the original collection was housed at Gallery 409. The premier Urban Services gallery was renamed as the Eubie Blake Cultural Arts Center in 1983.

In 1993, a fire destroyed the Gallery 409 facility. Additionally, in 1993, a corporation was formed to support the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, Inc. As a result, the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center was housed at 34 Market Place at the Brokerage (now the Power Plant Live!). The pieces of the permanent Eubie Blake collection were taken into care by the Maryland Historical Society.

In 2000, the city of Baltimore transferred title of an historical property at 847 N. Howard Street to the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center. Initial renovations were started using public city, state, and private funding. Full scale efforts continue to prepare the building to reclaim the Center’s portion of the Blake collection and to once again be the premier locale for cultural arts in Baltimore.

Having come full cycle, the Board, Staff and Community of the Eubie Blake Cultural Center are returning to the original and fundamental vision of those mothers from Dunbar High School and moving beyond by establishing not only programs for young people but also exciting and expansive programs--activities, events and performances--for adults...

Check out their website for events and activities. I have taken (flash mob or dance attack) dance classes here for Batimore Artscape Festival. When they were younger my children where in plays here for their art classes in elementary/middle schools. A family friend hosted a Mother's Day Jazz & Dinner event here a few years backs. And my son goings here for the African Dance classes. Some of the people from this location travel to DC for their African Dance classes and to the park during the warmer whether when my son has time to host his classes. This facility has many uses including advocacy. So call them up if you are ready to support the Fine Arts, support a humanitarian cause or host your own event. They are usually busy doing something throughout the year. Remember they still have COVID-19 restrictions in place as a precaution. I just realized that it has been over fifteen years since I first started going to this location with my oldest children and I am still going here with my two youngest...

I love this place from my first visit ,until now.Making this my 10th visit. I love the atmosphere, hospitality, and their doorman Poppa Smurf,and one of their host name Tony. They will always brighten your day and make you smile . And Troy does a great job of Managing this facility. Thank you for allowing me to educated even more on Baltimore history of- Our Afro...