Introducing Ambassador Arts, a new art space in NW Baltimore at the Ambassador Theater, 4604 Liberty Heights Ave; the project will revitalize an art-deco-inspired movie house, becoming a beacon for the development of artists and community engagement. The National Park Service designated The Ambassador a historic landmark in 2023. The revitalization process will focus on construction, fundraising, and developing a model for collective leadership and decision-making. We’ll create a place where arts and culture are deeply embedded in our community, and emerging and existing artists create side-by-side with residents. Over the next several years, the Ambassador will transition to a community-owned center for Black arts and culture. 

The dream to restore the Ambassador Theater has been in the works for a while. Community support for repurposing this Art Deco cultural icon caught the attention of the Mayor and the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, prompting action. In spring 2018, Artspace was invited to Baltimore by the mayor’s office and local leaders to explore the potential for transforming the Ambassador Theater into an arts and cultural community center. In the summer of 2018, the city stabilized the building and put it into receivership. Artspace purchased the Ambassador in the spring of 2019, kicking off the community engagement process during predevelopment.

The extensive construction to redevelop this derelict building is on track to be completed in 2026, when the Ambassador will open its doors to the public. It will be free of construction debt when it finally transitions to a community entity in 2033. 

This five-minute video is a deep dive into the history of the Ambassador Theater in Northwest Baltimore.