Baltimore arts organization dismisses CEO after city ends contract over financial problems

BALTIMORE -- The Board of Directors for the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) voted its CEO out Wednesday, two weeks after the city cut ties with the organization over financial troubles. 

Rachel Graham stepped up to serve as CEO of BOPA in June. She previously served as the head of external relations at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. 

BOPA Interim Chair and CEO Robyn Murphy said that Graham's departure is "effective immediately," the Baltimore Banner Reported.

BOPA has organized several major events for the city, including the annual Artscape Festival, Baltimore's Farmers Market and the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. 

In 2023, the organization came under fire after canceling the MLK Parade, prompting the mayor's office to step in. The mayor eventually called for then-CEO Donna Drew Sawyer to step down or risk losing funding.

BOPA's Financial Issues

An audit of BOPA's finances showed that its money problems started years prior. 

"Dating back currently as far as 2019, the organization has run at a deficit," Graham said in September.

Following several meetings and discussions with leaders of the organization, the city decided to end its contract with BOPA. More than 80 artists across Baltimore petitioned in support of BOPA.

Mayor Brandon Scott's office said a transition committee will help to move services from BOPA to the city as they work to reimagine Baltimore's arts and culture scene. 

"It is critical for Baltimore's arts community to know that this step is being taken to aid support for their critical work in our city," said in an October statement.