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 is the establishment of a cultural “anchor” location in the neighborhood, a focal point for the ongoing cultural conversation in NoMa. While the form and function of such a space will ultimately be determined by that conversation, the need for such a space is clear, and the groundwork necessary for its creation has begun.

Progress on this initiative in 2022 included:

• The addition of cultural expertise to the NoMa BID Board of Directors, including representatives of the National Symphony Orchestra, Gallaudet University, and Georgetown University
• Delivering a year-long slate of arts activations and events, including the DC Walls mural festival and the largest light-art installation in DC as part of NoMa in Bloom
• Frequent social media promotion of Songbyrd Music House, a 200-person concert venue in Union Market District, to attract musiclovers to the greater NoMa neighborhood
• Providing free vendor space to Mosaic Theater at BID-sponsored events to help promote their brand and upcoming productions to more than 4,000 event attendees
• Celebrating the inclusion of wall art on newly delivered buildings, showing how NoMa’s arts reputation has begun influencing developers
• Nurturing and growing arts support from local businesses
• Supporting Eckington Hall, a new art gallery and flexible creative and event space launched by David Ross, a local Black entrepreneur, through social media promotion and paid sponsorship
• Cultivating relationships with NPR, which sponsored NoMa’s 2022 D.C. Walls mural festival, and exploring future partnerships and ways to engage local talent and bring live programming to NoMa
• Installing a new mural—via an inclusive call for artists and community selection process— above M Street NE from deaf artist Michelle McAuliffe, spelling out “NOMA” in American Sign Language
• Installing a new lobby art installation at 1200 First St. NE with Lea Craigie-Marshall
• Designing and installing new street pole banners throughout the neighborhood celebrating NoMa’s history of incredible wall art
• 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 2023 will include:

• Launching a Board Committee or similar body to establish goals, needs, and a timeframe for completion
• Identifying a consultant to take on the probable fundraising need
• Establishing connections with BID-adjacent arts entities like 7DrumCity and STABLEarts
• Building a relationship with NPR’s Tiny Desk program to connect visiting musical guests
  to NoMa