“What does it mean to remove obstacles that confuse us about how to live together, and instead open and free community spaces so we can get to know each other?”

— Dr. Mindy Fullilove, author Root Shock and Urban Alchemy

Sister Neighborhood Arts Project (SNAP!)

Rooted in Northwood and partnering across Greater Baltimore, SNAP! partners with neighborhoods to use the power of civic arts—storytelling, dialogue, and creative collaboration—to deepen connection, build shared leadership, and move communities toward meaningful, resident-led change by transforming local stories into collective action.

What We Do

We work alongside residents to:

  • Build trust and deepen community dialogue

  • Empower youth and honor elder wisdom

  • Support safety, placemaking, and local development

  • Activate everyday creativity in public spaces

How It Works

Our process begins with residents’ stories—an essential tool for surfacing shared values and community priorities. Through tailored workshops, forums, and performances, we guide neighborhoods in exploring challenges, imagining new possibilities, and sometimes creating a community “play” that captures local hopes and experiences. Projects range from single-season engagements to multi-year collaborations and are designed to leave lasting skills and leadership capacity with the community.

Ways to Partner

  • Co-created events that bring neighbors together

  • Engagement and leadership trainings rooted in civic arts

  • Youth arts programs that amplify young voices in community life.

  • Long-term community devised playmaking projects that culminate in public performance

Let’s imagine what your neighborhood could build—together.

Listen to an interview on Midday with Dan Rodedericks, (WYPR, 88.1) with Brian Francoise discussing the launch of Sister Neighborhood Arts Project in 2014.

Bookmark this page and come back to find a link soon that will allow users to learn more about SNAP!’s origins, to view images, digital stories and artifacts of the Covenants: A Theatrical Collage about Northwood production and to survey concrete example case studies that illuminate the power of cultural organizing practices.