Sister Neighborhood Arts Project (SNAP!)

Based in Northwood, SNAP! co-creates with “sister” neighborhoods to foster community dialogue, empower youth, honor the talents of seniors, celebrate the creativity of everyday folks and situate various art forms in non-traditional spaces. SNAP helps groups investigate how “civic arts” practice, with its attending challenges to collaborate with a sense of equity, respect and sharing power, can be a model for addressing social and neighborhood concerns such as safety, economic development, youth and families, or on going placemaking. The process begins with SNAP! framing the creativity of residents to tell the story of your neighborhood, which surfaces the trusting relationships needed for neighbors to organize civically around community priorities. Workshop series, forums and performances drive a creative investigation that could culminate in a “play” about your community. SNAP! commitments can range from a season to two or more years. SNAP!’s process is designed to leave skills behind with residents while building on the knowledge and interests folks already have.

SNAP affiliated artists have a track record in neighborhood level cultural organizing. Besides Northwood, we have have built “civic arts” projects with residents in West Baltimore near the “Highway to Nowhere” (Rootsfest, 2010), Highlandtown (Creative Alliance, 2005-2007), and in the Penn/North area (Arch Social Club) to name a few. In 2026, we are poised to fund commitments in Lakeland, a neighborhood in South Baltimore.

What would it look like for SNAP! to work with YOU and your NEIGHBORS by bringing co-created events, engagement trainings or longer term playmaking projects?

Our Values and Goals

SISTER: trust, relationships, crossing borders, intergenerational

WE manifest collaboration across lines of difference -- people, ages, and places.

NEIGHBORHOOD: citizen artists, passions, skills, residents, the environment, history

WE cultivate a naturally occurring cultural district among residential, public, commercial and non-traditional spaces. By sparking the creativity of citizen artists and surfacing the artistry that already exists, we also look at our shared history and future in Northwood.

ARTS: media arts, music, public art, indigenous arts, circus arts, culinary arts, healing arts, festivals

WE produce art that captures the imaginations, tells the stories and encourages the participation of residents in Northwood.

PROJECT: sustainability, partners, a neighborhood’s priority areas (e.g. youth, safety, beautification, economy), stakeholders, governance, funding

WE develop a cultural master plan that uses the creative power of arts and culture as a catalyst for action and transformation.

“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?”