Our Story
After living abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ariana Parrish was determined to bring the same sense of community and belonging to Baltimore. Inspired by the happiest city on earth, Nosreme nurtures connection by supporting the culture-builders of society: artists and storytellers.
What Inspires Us
Our Mission
To build and sustain a pipeline for underserved artists—from Morgan State University, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the wider community—to access global creative networks. Through community-rooted events, public art, and an emerging international exchange program, we connect local talent to global opportunity and deploy art as a tool for healing and empowerment.
Our Vision
A globally connected, community-rooted arts ecosystem where artists from Baltimore are leaders on the international stage, and our neighborhoods are enriched by constant cultural exchange. By 2027, Nosreme will operate a permanent live/work hub in Baltimore that hosts international artists and provides critically needed, affordable housing for local artists—creating a self-sustaining cycle of creativity and economic opportunity.
Values
At Nosreme Baltimore, we believe in:
Radical Accessibility: We dismantle the economic and geographic barriers that separate communities from the arts.
Artist-Centric Support: We ensure artists receive fair pay, professional platforms, and the housing they need to build sustainable careers.
Community-Powered Curation: We co-create art with residents, ensuring our projects are authentic reflections of their stories.
Forging Global Connections: We are building a bridge between Baltimore and the world to foster mutual understanding and elevate our creative economy.
Our Phased Approach
Today, we host a mosaic of events across Baltimore that invite local and international artists to engage with communities—through pop-up art experiences, exhibitions, and creative gatherings. We aim to reach art lovers, curious neighbors, and cultural connectors alike—turning strangers into collaborators and building momentum, one neighborhood at a time. These events help us listen, learn, and shape where our permanent creative home will take root.
Through donations and event fees, we are building momentum for our long-term vision…
Tomorrow, we plan to establish a brick-and-mortar location where resident artists can live, create, and connect. This space will host community dinners, storytelling nights, cultural workshops, and international exchange opportunities—offering Baltimore a vibrant hub for creativity, belonging, and global connection. Together, we will usher in a brighter future for Baltimore.
We will open a permanent home in Baltimore by 2027, providing short- and long-term housing for up to 10 local artists while supporting international exchange opportunities through partnerships with artist residencies abroad.
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
From Humble Beginnings.
Nosreme Baltimore's roots run deep, inspired by a blend of philosophical exploration, architectural vision, and a profound commitment to community. Our namesake, "Nosreme"—"Emerson" spelled backward—first sparked founder Ariana Parrish's imagination during a middle-school English assignment on transcendentalism. Years later, while crafting her architecture thesis at Temple University, Ariana was captivated by the idea of designing communal spaces that fostered alternative societal experiences.
Ariana's journey was further shaped by a lifelong spirit of volunteerism, cultivated right here in Baltimore. Her dedication to altruism led her to organizations like the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. However, it was her experiences traveling the world, particularly as an African American woman exploring over 30 countries, that truly ignited her vision for Nosreme. In Copenhagen, she discovered the powerful concepts of ‘hygge’ (the art of coziness and well-being) and ‘fællesspisning’ (the unifying act of community eating). These shared, intimate experiences solidified her belief in how art and food bring people together, setting the profound vision for Nosreme Baltimore into motion.
Your generous support helps us uplift Baltimore's creatives and share healing, dialogue, and connection through art and culture throughout our city.