The next chapter of NoMa’s story will be cultural, told in the imaginations of residents, workers, and visitors. It will be written with murals and sculpture, streetscapes and projection art, music and movie nights, and in the communities that flourish here.

Central to this story has been the establishment of a cultural “anchor” location in the neighborhood. In 2025, the NoMa BID delivered on this goal with the signing of a 30-year lease by Washington Improv Theater for a 10,735 square foot space performance, workshop, and classroom space over two floors in the mixed-use space at 1226 Third St. NE.

Progress on this initiative in 2025 included:

• Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the NoMa in Color Mural Festival which brought 20 new murals to the neighborhood this year, bringing NoMa’s total mural count to 72, and further reinforcing NoMa’s reputation as the “mural capital of DC.”
• Securing a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to deliver a monumental new work of sculpture art to NoMa to be located at Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza.
• Partnering with arts non-profits and cultural organizations, including DC Home Rule Music Festival, Capital House Music Festival, and District Coalition to bring live concerts featuring diverse musical genres— including go-go, jazz, soul, and cumbia—to both Alethia Tanner Park and Swampoodle Terrace Park.
• Celebrating the delivery of the new mural in the Trail Lobby, showing how NoMa’s arts reputation has begun influencing developers.
• Finalizing a new mission and strategy for the NoMa Parks Foundation emphasizing community engagement and stewardship of NoMa’s parks.
• Collaborating with NoMa employer Hickok Cole architects by supporting their annual arts fundraiser to benefit Washington Project for the Arts.

Targeted work on this initiative for 2026 will include:

• Continuing to host the annual NoMa in Color Mural Festival to deliver even more art to the neighborhood.
• Celebrating the launch of two new exhibits in the K Street Virtual Gallery.
• Proactive relationship building with outside partners to bring more arts-centric events and activations to the neighborhood.
• Partnering with Washington Improv Theater to help plan its grand opening to take place in early 2027.
• Exploring partnerships with other cultural and entertainment venues, including NPR Tiny Desk and Manifest.