Welcome to the Baltimore City Crit Club! Founded in 2024 by artists John Ralston and Sean Sweeney, our club was created with a clear mission: to build a strong, supportive, and collaborative community for professional artists in Baltimore. Our vision is rooted in a shared desire to advocate for artists, celebrate the diversity of voices in our region, and create opportunities that help artists thrive.
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Our Purpose
The pandemic may have disrupted our sense of connection, but it also revealed the deep need for artists to come together, share resources, and grow alongside one another. Our club is dedicated to re-establishing those connections and expanding our reach to support a vibrant and united art community in Baltimore. This is more than just a critique group—it’s a foundation for meaningful change, where professional artists can share their work, receive constructive feedback, and engage in vital conversations about art, society, and the future.
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How It Works
The Crit Club hosts monthly critique sessions that spotlight 2-5 artists, providing an exhibition-style platform where their work stays on display for a week or more. These sessions are about more than feedback—they’re opportunities to dig deep into the details of the art, have challenging but respectful discussions, and encourage growth in each artist’s practice. We maintain an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, where all feedback must be well-considered and respectful.
Outside of critique sessions, our space is available to members for studio documentation, studio visits, and other artistic needs. We strive to be more than just a meeting place. We envision the Crit Club growing into an artist-run organization that amplifies our collective voice, influences arts funding and policy, and creates sustainable opportunities for artists to thrive in Baltimore.
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Our Values
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We’re committed to inclusivity and collaboration. Our members come from all artistic backgrounds, with or without formal art education. We’re creating an advocacy group that values every voice, from the deeply theoretical to the purely instinctual. While we respect art history and theory, we aim to make sure these concepts serve as tools for growth, not barriers to entry. This is a place where your ideas are valid, your work is respected, and your voice matters.
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Future Plans
We have ambitious goals. From securing discounts on art supplies to launching microgrants for artists, from reviving beloved local art fairs to establishing national open calls and professional opportunities, we’re actively working to expand what’s possible for artists in our city. Long-term, we aim to advocate for better allocation of arts funding, support collective healthcare initiatives, and become a union of artists that transforms the landscape of art in Baltimore.
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How to Get Involved
Being part of the Crit Club starts with simply showing up. Whether you want to critique, network, or just listen, your presence matters. If you’re ready to dive deeper, there are countless ways to contribute, from helping with our website or providing refreshments to writing formal art criticism or leading critique sessions.
Together, we can reshape the art community in Baltimore and build a future that elevates and empowers artists across our region. Join us, be part of the conversation, and help shape the future of art in our city.