Havre de Grace hopes tax breaks, designation attract the arts

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Havre de Grace will strive to draw more art galleries, theaters and festivals with the help of newly approved grants and tax breaks. Gov. Martin O’Malley designated Havre de Grace and Annapolis as the state’s latest arts and entertainment districts, which provide incentives for investors and artists to create cultural attractions while drawing artists to live and work in the area.

Artists who live in Harford County and sell their work within Havre de Grace’s waterfront business district can get income tax credits to be determined by the state, said Mitch Shank, chairman of the Havre de Grace Main Street Arts and Entertainment Committee. The city already has about 15 art galleries, with the potential for more studios, theaters and festivals, he said.

“This program truly complements what Havre de Grace already has, like the museums, the promenade, the art festivals every year,” said Shank, a co-founder of the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. “It will be a great benefit to all the people who want to expand on those cultural venues,” said Bridget Layton, head of city tourism.

Grants and tax credits will be available for businesses converting or rehabbing old buildings for arts and entertainment, or for artists moving into the district, Shank said. Taxes on building improvements will be waived for the first two years, then gradually phased back in over 10 years, he said.

Wendy McNally, a classical pianist and teacher at the University of Delaware, is one artist hoping to take advantage of the district to start a music academy for kids and the developmentally disabled. Her Upper Chesapeake Academy of Music would eventually run programs in classical and folk music and host both vocal and instrumental ensembles, she said.

A reception will be held June 10 at the Vandiver Inn for the announcement of the arts and entertainment districts.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com

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