Arts District
Council approves Old Town North arts anchor
On Jan. 12 2019, the City Council unanimously approved a development special use permit and site plan for an arts and cultural anchor in Old Town North, following the guidelines established in the Small Area Plan.
The arts and cultural anchor, slated to sit at 1201 North Royal St. at the intersection of North Royal Street and Bashford Lane, will consist of a 90-unit, eight story multi-family residential building and will also feature an outdoor arts walk and an indoor arts space operated by The Art League.
Public Art
Future Arts Anchor for Old Town North
The Art League School-Arts Anchor of Old Town North with Metrostage
The Art League School offers a variety of classes in painting, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry making, etc. Check out theartleagueschool.org.
The new site is part of a broader city plan, the Old Town North Small Area Plan, that aims to develop an arts district in Old Town North and preserve the Metrostage theater and the Art League School, two existing art institutions.
In April 2019, city council approved a development plan to move the MetroStage theater to a new site currently occupied by the Crowne Plaza hotel on North Fairfax Street as part of the small area plan. Both The Art League’s new arts center, to be located on the current MetroStage site once it has been redeveloped, and the new MetroStage theater will serve as powerful anchors for Old Town North’s new arts district.
