Mayor Brandon Scott’s decision to terminate the city’s contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) effective Jan. 20 has left local artists asking questions about how they will be affected and what will happen to the programs and properties BOPA has overseen for more than two decades.In an effort to allay concerns about the future of the arts in Baltimore, Scott and his advisors on Thursday addressed some of the most frequently-asked questions.The response came in a “Frequently Asked Questions” format, posted on social media, in which Scott posed questions the city has received about BOPA and then provided answers that explain why the city cut ties with the agency and outline what steps the city is taking to continue providing uninterrupted support for the arts community and local artists.One of the takeaways is that the city has begun a two-step transition process in which the city will legally end its contract with BOPA; the agency will no longer serve as the city’s events producer, film office and arts council; and others will take on those responsibilities.The first step involves making a series of short-term decisions that will enable the city to sever ties with the agency by the Jan. 20 deadline. Scott refers to this as a “90-Day Transition Plan,” covering the period that started in October, when he disclosed his decision to sever ties with the agency, to Jan. 20, the date when the contract is officially terminated. The second step involves making more long-term decisions about how the city will support the arts after the contract with BOPA has been terminated, and how the programs and properties for which BOPA has been responsible will be handled in the future.In his responses on social media, Scott said three of his chief goals are to: “maintain current levels of funding that are available to artists and creatives,” to “minimize service disruption to artists,” and to “minimize service disruption for BOPA employees.”To help formulate a long-term strategy for supporting the arts in Baltimore, Scott said his office will “convene artists for listening sessions that will shape and inform” the decisions made beyond Jan. 20. BOPA announced this week that it, too, will hold “community listening sessions.”Scott emphasized that he wants to make sure that the city’s support for the arts remains strong throughout the transition period and said his team is working with BOPA’s leaders to make sure that’s the case.“The City’s 90-Day transition from BOPA is a critical step in the process to ensure that arts and culture continue to thrive and remain accessible across our city,” he said on social media. “We are working closely with the BOPA team to ensuring that events such as Artscape, the Farmers Market, the Book Festival, and more transition smoothly and continue to be highlights that our community knows and loves.”Scott’s message was titled: “FAQ: Details of the City’s 90-Day Transition Plan with BOPA.” Here is the text:Q: Why was this decision made?A: This decision was propelled by significant concerns regarding BOPA’s financial mismanagement and the organization’s continued inability to meet contractual obligations. Over time, it became evident that BOPA was not meeting the needs of Baltimore’s artist community, and it was time to reimagine the city’s creative ecosystem to better support artistsQ. What is happening now?A: The City, in collaboration with BOPA, has convened a transition team consisting of internal and external stakeholders to discuss the transfer of city-owned assets. These assets include the Baltimore Arts Council designation, the Baltimore Film Office, the Public Art Commission, the ARPA [American   Rescue Plan Act of 2021] artist recovery grant, the Creative Baltimore Fund, the Farmers Market, School 33 Art Center, Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, The Cloisters, and events such as Artscape, the Fireworks and the Book Festival.Most of our current efforts are centered on finalizing contract agreements and securing proprietary rights for grants, facilities, personnel and events.Q. What will happen to BOPA after the transition?A: BOPA is a 501 [C] [3] organization with an independent board, enabling it to operate as an autonomous arts entity.Q: What about BOPA employees?A: We will minimize disruption for BOPA employees by offering opportunities for them to transition to positions within the Baltimore City enterprise where applicable.Q: What are the considerations for the transition?A: To maintain current levels of funding that are available to artists and creatives and minimize service disruptions to artists.To minimize disruption to BOPA employees.To ensure all funder-related obligations and reporting requirements are identified before the transition.To ensure all grantee obligations are identified before the transition.To coordinate with the Maryland State Arts Council, as needed, to facilitate the transfer of the Arts Council designation.Q. What has been requested of BOPA?A: BOPA is required to conduct a thorough review and provide a detailed report covering all current obligations, including active artist contracts, maintenance records for facilities, and an inventory of trademarks and other proprietary rights associated with grants, facilities, personnel and events.Q: What will happen to the Farmers Market, the Cloisters, Bromo Arts Tower and School 33?A: We will issue Requests for Proposal (RFPs) to identify third-party management firms for those properties.Q: What about the current Farmers Market, Cloisters, Bromo and School 33 contract holders [such as tenants in the Bromo Tower studios]?A: We plan to honor all contractual agreements.Q: What about the artist grants? Who will manage the distribution?A: The distribution of the current cycle of artist grants will remain under the management of BOPA. After the granting cycle concludes, the City will collaborate with our fiscal agent, the Baltimore Civic Fund, to facilitate the distribution of artist grants. Additionally, the Baltimore Civic Fund will oversee the distribution of $500,000 in ARPA artist relief funding in the upcoming months.Q: What is the status of the Arts Council designation in Baltimore?A: Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts (BOPA) currently serves as the City’s designated Arts Council. The Arts Council plays a critical role as the governing body that supports and promotes the arts within the community or region. In the coming months, the City will engage in visioning process with the artist community to reimagine and redesign the services, programming and mission of the Baltimore City Arts Council.In the interim period during which the Arts Council designation is transferred to the Mayor’s Office, the City will maintain existing funding levels for the artist community, advocate for the artist community, and work with partners to meet the needs of Baltimore’s Creative Economy.Q: What about the future of Arts & Culture?A: After completing the initial 90-day transition period, we will assemble a secondary transition team comprised of art and creative thought leaders. This team will collaborate to share ideas and convene artists for listening sessions that will shape and inform the reimagined Baltimore City Arts Council.